Resilience and Vision : OptiKids at ULSOM
Panelists and members of Optikids
by VISHAKA MOTHERAMGARI , MS , M1 , KHOI DO , M4 & MOHAMMAD ZOHAIB HAQ , M4
at ULSOM , Tanya Gupta and Shreya Pandya , on the principles of facilitating early intervention and support for visually impaired children . According to the CDC , Kentucky has the sixth-highest rate of vision loss in the U . S . Recognizing this need , Tanya and Shreya established a board of directors and began partnering with Visually Impaired Preschool Services ( VIPS ), Kentucky ’ s only full-time preschool dedicated to children with visual impairments .
On Nov . 7 , 2024 , the University of Louisville School of Medicine ( ULSOM ) hosted a transformative event , the “ Resilience and Living with Vision Loss ” panel , organized by OptiKids Outreach , a student-driven organization dedicated to spreading awareness and supporting children with visual impairments and their families . The goal of this event was to offer a profound look into the lives of children with visual impairments and the families who advocate for their success .
Our organization was founded by current third-year students
OptiKids has since contributed by funding and volunteering at various VIPS events , including their annual gala , training for the Neonatal Assessment Visual European Grid ( NAVEG ) newborn screening , a pickleball tournament , a holiday party and a 5K run . Over the summer , Optikids organized a camp for children at VIPS , creating opportunities for them to participate in fun tactile activities with friends and family while fostering a sense of community .
As fall approached , OptiKids set its sights on hosting a panel featuring families from VIPS . The goal was to increase awareness of both VIPS and OptiKids within the ULSOM community while advancing medical education research , another cornerstone of the
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