Denise introduces Michael Lievens, whose website strabismusworld.com was one of the very few blogs available when she began her own vision therapy journey. Following Michael’s experience helped her feel less alone as she navigated vision therapy herself.

Michael shares how he developed accommodative strabismus at age three due to undetected farsightedness. Despite having “20/20 vision,” he struggled functionally and ultimately underwent three eye surgeries, which left him with constant double vision. With no resources available in his native Dutch, Michael began searching English-language materials and eventually discovered vision therapy (and Susan Barry's book, Fixing My Gaze), marking a turning point in his journey.

In 2017, Michael founded a Belgian nonprofit organization focused on strabismus awareness and education. One of its major projects was translating Fixing My Gaze into Dutch. He also created the Dutch-language website scheelzien.org, a Dutch YouTube channel, and Facebook communities in both Dutch and English. His organization hosts annual patient meetups, inviting VTODs (vision therapy optometrists) to share information and connect directly with patients.

Proceeds from the Dutch translation are now being rolled forward into Michael’s latest project: translating Fixing My Gaze into French. He is also developing a French chapter of his organization to serve the French-speaking regions of Belgium, France, and other French-speaking territories. Michael is deeply passionate about sharing accurate, hopeful information about strabismus and available treatment options.

This episode is an honest and thoughtful look at long-term vision challenges, informed choice in care, and the power of patient-led advocacy.

Content note: This episode includes discussion of mental health struggles and a past suicide attempt.

Support the French translation of Fixing My Gaze
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-to-translate-fixing-my-gaze-into-french

Website
 https://strabismusworld.com

Facebook Community
https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=strabismus%20world

Connect with Denise Allen:

Website: https://healingmysight.com

Healing our Sight Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063570817348

If you liked this episode, click here to send me a message. I also appreciate guest and topic suggestions.

I'd love to hear from you! Click the "If you liked this episode, CLICK HERE" link above to send me a message. Your comments, questions, guest suggestions, and topic ideas come directly to me as Fan Mail, and I read every message.

Denise and Melissa share their exciting experiences attending the annual meeting of COVD, the College of Optometrists in Vision Development in April 2023. Congratulations to Melissa for receiving the "Making Vision Therapy Visible" Award at this event!

Join the Healing Our Sight Facebook page community to connect with Denise
Check out Melissa's resources: https://learn.strabismussolutions.com/
Follow her on Instagram: strabismus2stereopsis
Melissa's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@strabismustostereopsis7799/featured

If you liked this episode, click here to send me a message. I also appreciate guest and topic suggestions.

I'd love to hear from you! Click the "If you liked this episode, CLICK HERE" link above to send me a message. Your comments, questions, guest suggestions, and topic ideas come directly to me as Fan Mail, and I read every message.

Denise and her now-grown daughter Abby Aaron share how vision therapy was for Abby as a 9-year-old, her results and relapse, and how her vision is now.

If you liked this episode, click here to send me a message. I also appreciate guest and topic suggestions.

I'd love to hear from you! Click the "If you liked this episode, CLICK HERE" link above to send me a message. Your comments, questions, guest suggestions, and topic ideas come directly to me as Fan Mail, and I read every message.

In this episode, Denise talks with Hanah VanderMeulen, who developed 3D vision, depth perception, and integrated peripheral vision for the first time through vision therapy. Hanah shares her lifelong experience with strabismus, early surgery, and patching—and how vision therapy as an adult was truly life-changing.

Listen as Hanah describes what it was like to see snow fall in 3D for the first time, how her symptoms gradually resolved, and why patient advocacy and multiple professional opinions mattered in her journey.

Hanah’s written vision therapy story:
 https://www.seevividly.com/blog/230/Vision_Therapy_Success_Stories_Hanah

Watch Hanah’s WOW Vision testimonial on YouTube:
 https://youtu.be/gOrb3i9jWhc

Connect with Denise Allen:
Website: https://healingmysight.com
Healing our Sight Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063570817348

If you liked this episode, click here to send me a message. I also appreciate guest and topic suggestions.

I'd love to hear from you! Click the "If you liked this episode, CLICK HERE" link above to send me a message. Your comments, questions, guest suggestions, and topic ideas come directly to me as Fan Mail, and I read every message.

Denise speaks with Mark Boyce, who relates his vision story and how his virtual reality computer program, Equal-Eyes came to be. 

Mark's website: https://avalonweb.com.au/demo/
Facebook page: Avalonweb VR Equal-Eyes https://www.facebook.com/groups/441424808132044

Get 10% off purchase of Equal Eyes with the code DAVR

If you liked this episode, click here to send me a message. I also appreciate guest and topic suggestions.

I'd love to hear from you! Click the "If you liked this episode, CLICK HERE" link above to send me a message. Your comments, questions, guest suggestions, and topic ideas come directly to me as Fan Mail, and I read every message.

Denise discusses functional vision progress with Caryn Rinaldini and Melissa Daniels, who introduced their stories in episodes 5 and 7. All three of us achieved our results through vision therapy and surgery combined and we love to share! 

Melissa's website: http://strabismussolutions.com
Mastering Peripheral course: http://learn.strabismussolutions.com
Code for 10% off: HEAL10 

Melissa's YouTube: Strabismus to Stereopsis

Caryn's Facebook Group: Looking Ahead - Adult Strabismus Support

Denise's Facebook page: Healing Our Sight

If you liked this episode, click here to send me a message. I also appreciate guest and topic suggestions.

I'd love to hear from you! Click the "If you liked this episode, CLICK HERE" link above to send me a message. Your comments, questions, guest suggestions, and topic ideas come directly to me as Fan Mail, and I read every message.

After a lengthy sabbatical, Denise is back with an update on some of her past guests and the start of a vision for the future. 

Visit the Healing Our Sight Facebook Page to give feedback and suggestions for future episodes.

Visit strabismussolutions.com to order Melissa's course "Mastering Peripheral." Use the code HEAL10 to get 10% off the course.

If you liked this episode, click here to send me a message. I also appreciate guest and topic suggestions.

I'd love to hear from you! Click the "If you liked this episode, CLICK HERE" link above to send me a message. Your comments, questions, guest suggestions, and topic ideas come directly to me as Fan Mail, and I read every message.

In this episode of Healing Our Sight, Denise speaks with Paul and Gail Dennison, pioneers of Brain Gym and movement-based learning, about how vision develops through movement—not just through the eyes, but through the whole body.

They explore how visual skills, balance, proprioception, and movement work together to support learning, reading, and visual comfort for both children and adults. Paul and Gail share practical insights into visual midline, peripheral vision, depth perception, and why modern habits—like prolonged near work and screen use—can create unnecessary visual stress.

This conversation offers parents, educators, and anyone interested in vision development a fresh perspective on how simple movement, outdoor play, and body awareness can support healthier vision and learning—naturally.

Resources & Links

Learn more about Paul & Gail Dennison and their work:

• Hearts at Play (Official Website): https://heartsatplay.com/
• Vision Gym Program: https://heartsatplay.com/videos/vision-gym-activities/
• Brain Gym® Program – Breakthroughs International: https://breakthroughsinternational.org/programs/the-brain-gym-program/
• Hearts at Play on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heartsatplay
  
  

If you liked this episode, click here to send me a message. I also appreciate guest and topic suggestions.

I'd love to hear from you! Click the "If you liked this episode, CLICK HERE" link above to send me a message. Your comments, questions, guest suggestions, and topic ideas come directly to me as Fan Mail, and I read every message.

Dr. Robin Price joins Healing Our Sight to share what parents, educators, and adults should know about vision development, vision therapy, and why “20/20 eyesight” does not always mean the visual system is working well for reading, learning, and daily life.

In this episode, we discuss InfantSEE eye exams, early warning signs parents and teachers should watch for (including eye turns, eye fatigue, losing place while reading, headaches, and avoidance behaviors), and why binocular vision skills like eye teaming, tracking, and convergence are often missed in standard school and pediatric vision screenings.

Dr. Price explains how vision therapy can support children who are struggling academically or developmentally, why movement and bilateral integration are critical for visual development, and how vision challenges can affect confidence, behavior, and quality of life. We also explore Utah’s School Vision Screening Policy, practical classroom strategies such as visual breaks and brain breaks, when vision therapy and surgery can work together, and how families can advocate for appropriate evaluations and accommodations at school.

The episode includes powerful patient stories that highlight how identifying vision issues can be life-changing — not just for academic success, but for long-term independence and well-being.

If you’re a parent, educator, or adult navigating vision concerns and looking for community support, discussion, and trusted resources, you’re invited to join the Healing Our Sight Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=healing%20our%20sight

Resources mentioned:

• College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) doctor locator https://locate.covd.org/
• Symptom checklist: https://www.covd.org/page/QOLStart

• Note: Dr. Price has since retired, but the information shared in this episode remains highly relevant for families seeking answers about vision development and vision therapy.

If you liked this episode, click here to send me a message. I also appreciate guest and topic suggestions.

I'd love to hear from you! Click the "If you liked this episode, CLICK HERE" link above to send me a message. Your comments, questions, guest suggestions, and topic ideas come directly to me as Fan Mail, and I read every message.

Episode 11 gives an update on Rebekka's vision healing since episode one. It's a fascinating explanation of her visual challenges since experiencing an ocular stroke.

If you liked this episode, click here to send me a message. I also appreciate guest and topic suggestions.

I'd love to hear from you! Click the "If you liked this episode, CLICK HERE" link above to send me a message. Your comments, questions, guest suggestions, and topic ideas come directly to me as Fan Mail, and I read every message.