Busting Myths About Nystagmus And Coping Through Writing
Location
SU-214
Department
English
Abstract
When my mom laid eyes on me for the first time, she knew I had nystagmus, more commonly referred to as “dancing eyes.” This condition, which causes uncontrollable movement of the eyes, has struck many in our family, including my grandfather, brother, and cousins. Every case is different. Some people with this condition go on to live a normal life. For others, life becomes a challenge with reduced vision. Our family finds ourselves very fortunate to have our lives mostly unchanged as we live with this condition. However, there are several myths and misconceptions about nystagmus. For those who were born with nystagmus, it is assumed the mother lacked prenatal care or consumed alcohol and/or drugs during pregnancy. When a police officer stops a driver with nystagmus, they might assume the driver is inebriated as a result of the constant moving of the eyes and might require a breathalyzer. This presentation of creative work revolves around my experiences with nystagmus. I will document how a person with nystagmus operates day-to-day and present in-depth case studies on public figures who have the condition. Through my craft, I intend to shine a light on a condition that is rarely talked about.
Faculty Sponsor
Olivia Cronk, Northeastern Illinois University
Busting Myths About Nystagmus And Coping Through Writing
SU-214
When my mom laid eyes on me for the first time, she knew I had nystagmus, more commonly referred to as “dancing eyes.” This condition, which causes uncontrollable movement of the eyes, has struck many in our family, including my grandfather, brother, and cousins. Every case is different. Some people with this condition go on to live a normal life. For others, life becomes a challenge with reduced vision. Our family finds ourselves very fortunate to have our lives mostly unchanged as we live with this condition. However, there are several myths and misconceptions about nystagmus. For those who were born with nystagmus, it is assumed the mother lacked prenatal care or consumed alcohol and/or drugs during pregnancy. When a police officer stops a driver with nystagmus, they might assume the driver is inebriated as a result of the constant moving of the eyes and might require a breathalyzer. This presentation of creative work revolves around my experiences with nystagmus. I will document how a person with nystagmus operates day-to-day and present in-depth case studies on public figures who have the condition. Through my craft, I intend to shine a light on a condition that is rarely talked about.