Knate's Story
Knate is an energetic two-year-old from Sydney who adores the Teletubbies, trains and his backyard swing set. At the age of six months, Knate was diagnosed with congenital motor nystagmus, a condition characterised by rapid involuntary eye movements, blurred vision and reduced depth perception.
Knate's mother, Julie, contacted Guide Dogs NSW/ACT in May 2009 to seek help improving her son's mobility, and he is now visited weekly by his Orientation and Mobility Instructor, Vanessa. While Knate is a toddler, his training mainly involves fun activities with his bright green cane - swishing it in water, for example - to get him used to holding it.
As he grows, we will adapt Knate's training program for every new stage of his life.
"Recently I said to Knate, 'C'mon mate, let's go for a walk,' and he automatically picked up his cane. That was a real breakthrough." Julie, Knate's mother.
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