What Can Jessica See - Cortical Visual Impairment Example

Jessica has a cortical visual impairment, or cortical blindness, and our all-time most frequently asked question is "What can Jessica see?". In this video, I explain the mechanics behind why Jess has cortical blindness, or cortical vision impairment, and give some specific examples of things that she can see.
Welcome to our page! We are an atypical family dedicated to sharing a joyful life alongside things like autism, blindness, complex medical histories, and mental health disorders. We hope to take some of the mystery out of what it is like when special needs children grow into special needs adults. This life can be good. Beyond challenges and frustrations we find even more joy, entertainment, laughs and good times.
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[@kayevaughn7219]

Val, you have outdone yourself on this one! So many people learn from you. Thank you for taking the time to illustrate the complexity and help others better understand.

[@AutisticInterpretations]

❤️

[@katiepayne2479]

Val I'm so glad you did this because some of the worst critics of y'all are people who are ignorant of what "vision impaired" can mean. I hope some will come to a new understanding of Jess from this information.

[@AutisticInterpretations]

Thank you Katie

[@Kerri.on.baggage]

Can I say this…you are a great mama and I honestly don’t think you get enough credit. I know you nor other moms (of any kind) do what y’all do for credit. I just hope you know at the end of the day that the happy, loving, SAFE life that Jessica currently lives started with you. You can see the love for your child in your actions but also through your actions and this channel you can see your love for other special need individuals and their families. Education is so important and the fact that you live, learn, make mistakes, try again, learn some more and choose to put this knowledge and vulnerability out for others to see shows your true character...which I think is pretty amazing. So again I hope at the end of the day you know you are seen, heard, and loved by many. Thank you for opening up your families world. Sending you ❤

[@katestraus4324]

Wow, that is so beautiful and so true!

[@AutisticInterpretations]

Thank you so much ❤️

[@mayragonzalez2070]

Val, high five! ✋️ This is a wonderful video of what it means to have cortical visual impairment. You helped us see things through Jess's eyes. My love to ALL.

[@AliviaBrooks-]

As a new TVI, this is amazing!

[@kathleendodds5309]

Thank you so much for explaining Jesse’s diagnosis. It makes it so much clearer what she experiences every day. For all she has to deal with I think she does an amazing job and so do you all helping her have the most fulfilling life she possibly can.

[@kellithiede1924]

You explained this EXTREMELY WELL, Val. I feel like I have a much better understanding of Jessica’s visual abilities. I must say that Jessica’s ability to remember/form visual mental maps of her surroundings is incredible! It’s a blessing she has this ability/strength. Thank you, for this extremely informative video.❤️🙏🏻☺️

[@pamgriffith1937]

I am so grateful that Jess has her family and Marlowe to help guide her and teach her. That makes such a difference. I’ve seen similar cases with vision impairment or other disabilities and without proper assistance their outcome is not as positive as Jess. learning things like this about her helps us better understand how she navigates life. Your family has captured so many of our hearts❤️… you’re always in my heart and prayers 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻

[@AutisticInterpretations]

Thank you ! ❤️

[@carlachandler3840]

This was so fascinating, interesting, and very informative, Val! Thank you so much for taking the time and preparation it took to do this for us. Very much appreciated. 👍🏻 So glad to have a better educated insight of what Jess goes through also. ❤

[@AgentRains]

Brilliant explanation

[@cheriesvansson5117]

This was a great and informative video! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@dylynb9598]

Best discription you've done to date. Most excellent! Should highlight or whatever it's called so everyone can find it. Yes thumbs up.

[@Thinkin_inkan]

Thank you for choosing to share!

[@jodiebyramdavies]

Very informative! Thank you for sharing val x

[@Kddickerson]

Val you are amazing at helping us to understand such complexity. While I know every person is different it helps me be more empathetic with my parent whose vision and cognitive changes are baffling and not well explained by her GP. Love you all and so nice you can use your camper as another place to chat!

[@IzzyS94]

Thank you for taking the time to explain. ❤

[@tonyawittmann6890]

What a great job of explaining ❤.

[@kirstenmeier6704]

That was such a great and informative video. Good visual references too! My Husband has a lazy eye that drifts outward to his right side,every now and then. That drifting eye, alone, greatly affects his vision and depth perception, so I can just imagine how it is for Jess. She is such a remarkable person. I enjoy your videos and love Jess just being her honest self.

[@AutisticInterpretations]

Thank you so much!!

[@katestraus4324]

My father, too, had strabismus. His left eye was always crossed inward and he was legally blind in that eye. Like many things, vision is a spectrum as well.

[@nancyalmonte6334]

Jessica has the best family and the best support team ♥️

[@AutisticInterpretations]

Thank you ❤️

[@juliewheeler2139]

Great video Val! My grandson was born with a eye condition called coloboma. He has no vision in his left eye. He is 5 years old and you would never know he couldn’t see well! He gets around like any other 5 year old! Love your q and a’s. So informative! Love my Jess girl!

[@AutisticInterpretations]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Changelingheart]

Great job explaining. Being tired and reduced abilities does go hand in hand. For all of us. She is remarkably adjusted to her sight impairment. I can imagine being in an unknown setting is overwhelming for her and adjustment would not come quickly, if at all. You are so educated on these things what a help for ppl dealing with autism and this CVI, which I now understand better.

[@genaclark9298]

You explained this very well! Thx!

[@pamelatillison2105]

Great job explaining her vision!

[@Amy3130]

Hi...great video and explanation. One of my best friends is blind but it isn't cvi. She has RP and macular degeneration. We met at church and I knew her for over 3 months before I knew she was blind. She knows the church so well that she can scoot around there as well as she can at home. People think I'm joking when I tell them that she's blind. Anyway....I just wanted to thank you for all your videos. They are great and you do a wonderful job of explaining the complexities of Jess's disabilities. God bless you all.

[@AutisticInterpretations]

Thank you so much & thanks for sharing!

[@siennaprice1351]

I have a rare brain condition called Septo Optic Dysplasia. Which caused me to be totally blind and on the autism spectrum. SOD also caused a few other things for me. I’ve actually had people not believe me when I tell them that I’m totally blind. I’ve either been questioned or laughed at. But I love life despite having SOD.

[@AutisticInterpretations]

Thank you for sharing with us!

[@lindakirksey9089]

Excellent explanation!! I have a better understanding of how Jessica sees her world. Thank you Miss Val.

[@AutisticInterpretations]

I’m so glad it was helpful!

[@laurenaddante1570]

Super interesting! You did a wonderful job with the drawings and explanations. I think I’d dye my hair blue if my baby could see it best and loved it :) I recently started watching your journey on fb and y’all are awesome!

[@nancyalmonte6334]

Omg! You are such an expert in explaining all of this! Thanks for another great Q&A. Blessings to you all🩵

[@dawnives109]

This is extremely helpful! Thank you so much! 😊💕

[@veronicasawyer77]

it really is remarkable how helpful this is right?!have cortical blindness,and one of the most difficult parts is trying to explain it to others. Please forgive any typos🫣

[@lauriehood4162]

You did a wonderful job giving us an idea of what she is seeing…thank you!

[@denisemoon9572]

I really enjoy your question and answer videos.

[@AutisticInterpretations]

Thank you!

[@shelleybailey2745]

Thank you. Very informative.

[@LifewithpirncessMegan]

I love learning about Jessica ❤❤❤

[@amandahopper3522]

Very interesting Val!

[@marfta7414]

Thank you for sharing that info. Always nice to understand more about sweet Jess.

[@AutisticInterpretations]

Thank you for watching!

[@rzdrms]

I love your love for Jessica.

[@sommermartin7374]

My son had a similar issue. When he was little we had to be right by him at all times. A lot of issues with depth perception & peripheral vision. He would miss steps and just fall. He would run into walls. When he would hug us he’d just topple over us. He also saw everything times three. The specialist had me put on these glasses to show me what he sees, and I nearly vomited. I felt terrible because I had no idea. Luckily surgery helped, but he does the same things as Jess when he’s tired. Or in deep concentration. It’s like their brain can only use so much before it starts taking away abilities, and the first to go seems to be those eye muscles.

[@AutisticInterpretations]

Thank you sir sharing!

[@chaquanabyrd48]

I've missed so many bideos I have yo go alllllllĺlllllll theeeeeeeeee waaaaaayyyyy baaaaaaacccccckkkk therefore I know I will love them.❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊

[@lesliedeardorff8586]

That was excellent, thank you!

[@goodies1392]

Love all you guys videos so exciting and informative to me

[@stefwhey]

I keep forgetting about vision issues causing fatigue. No wonder going to work and spending my time on computer and doing bookwork makes me so tired. (I am currently tipping my head back as well to see ‘properly’). Thanks for all the clarifications!!

[@starlapowers3111]

Excellent explanation!!

[@tammycompton12]

Great video. Your hair looks so good.

[@AutisticInterpretations]

Thank you!

[@christineschwenker5824]

Thank you!

[@GMA_OF6]

Very informative!! And Val, you are an excellent speaker! You could make a career out of doing speeches on various subjects.

[@AutisticInterpretations]

Thank you!

[@veronicasawyer77]

I had an occipital lobe stroke last year have cortical blindness. It is so hard to explain to people what I see I don’t see thank you for this video.

[@AutisticInterpretations]

Thanks for sharing ❤️

[@veronicasawyer77]

@@AutisticInterpretations I really love your channel. I am so grateful that I found your videos. What a beautiful family 🖤

[@candacevandeventer2456]

Great video!

[@rzdrms]

Thanks for explaining this! Helps me to understand her better. Does Jessica ever get dizzy from her visual impairment (i.e., depth perception, blurriness, focusing, etc.)? Also, I wonder if - in part - Jessica likes playing cards so much because of the bold, black, block letters and numbers and symbols on them that she can see and that have likely become incredibly comforting and familiar to her. I know a lot of it is stimming, though. And cards smell good, too! ♦️♥️♣️♠️

[@AutisticInterpretations]

I've only known of Jessica to get dizzy one time, and it was when she was a child and a medication interaction issue. Depth perception is an issue for her.

[@LenolaMiller-gc1xt]

Thank you for explaining Jessica condition. With this condition does Jessica have headaches? I saw the video’s at the antique store and grocery store she definitely communicates well your Love and Patience shows ❤️. I had a uncle who was blind as a child my sister and I was amazed how he could walk to our Great Grandmother home from his home several blocks away , he cooked and shopped for himself !

[@AutisticInterpretations]

No more than the typical person

[@reneepelk7704]

❤❤🎉👍🏻👍🏻

[@tyreesetjjoyner1995]

Good video

[@beverlymcquiston4594]

I’m just curious if you think any of her other senses are more acute due to her blindness? Very interesting and very well explained! Thanks 😊

[@janeburns6405]

Agree

[@AutisticInterpretations]

Definitely

[@elizabethrobinson4390]

Valorie brooks thisis goodinformation have youndone anatomy before and jess can see things I know she is blind but can she see certain things like cd's and other things that she can do things that is repitiveness and echlolia good job on sharing this on more content on jessica'slife ❤

[@kathleenhampton5739]

What was her sight like as a child? Are there any possible treatments or surgeries in her future? My Grandma was the oldest living cornea transplant recipient. She saw the color blue for the first time at 90.

[@AutisticInterpretations]

Jess was totally blind at birth, and gradually developed the window of vision that she has now.

[@wzworld6666]

2025 anyone

[@janetlongislandsticher]

I'm so sorry for her, but thank you for the great explanation. But she is doing fantastic. Mama Val what happened to your wrist? Are you ok? How was your fourth of July? Did Jessica enjoy the fireworks or she does not like the loud noise? Well take care and have a great day.

[@AutisticInterpretations]

I had some wrist strain. At this point I’m just trying to give it a rest so it can heal. Jessica is somewhat ambivalent about fireworks. It sometimes depends on her mood.

[@dorotheakey2226]

Did jess ever learn how to read?

[@AutisticInterpretations]

She can read some letters and some short words.

[@JoeyC.Kelley]

What happened to your arm?

[@rzdrms]

I’m always curious about this: do y’all get permission from Jessica to share about various topics about herself, each time? Meaning, did you ask her before recording this particular video if you could explain to all viewers about her blindness? Or when you mention about her texture issues? I mean this sincerely, not in a mean way. Obviously, you are 100% doing exactly what you deem is in her best interest; I have no doubt about that (not that my opinions matter, though). I’m always just curious how people who are not neurotypical are approached on their own health in matters like this online. If you’re 100% her advocate always, and she understands that, then I think that would answer my question. I see other vlogs from parents who I wonder the same about. Just curious! 🩷

[@AutisticInterpretations]

We always discuss videos with Jessica prior to recording, and often include her in brainstorming sessions about what videos we can make.