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Video: Mum Debs Aspland
explains how James is using echo location

A blind boy is using dolphin communication techniques to help
him 'see'.

James Aspland, four, is learning echo location - normally used
by bats and dolphins - to help make life easier.

Mum-of-three Debs Aspland has enlisted the help of President of
World Access for the Blind Daniel Kisch.

Mr Kisch had his eyes removed at 13 months old and has pioneered
the work into echo location.

The skill involves emitting a clicking noise from the mouth
which bounces off any surface and helps a blind person navigate an
increasingly cluttered world.

Mrs Aspland's eldest son Kane, five, is autistic and has
hydrocephalus - excess fluid on the brain - while James's twin
sister Rosie has delayed development. With her hands full, a trip
to the shops can be a difficult experience.

The Willesborough resident said: "It will be a huge help to me
for Jamie to be able to be that little bit more independent.

"Having an autistic son means that he can have the tendency to
run off and I'm left in the awful position of do I run after him
and leave Jamie alone.

"Knowing that Jamie can be safe and will understand what is
happening, where the traffic is and what's around him will really
help."

To help raise money to pay for Mr Kisch's training a special
"blind golf" evening was held at Homeland Golf Centre on the
Ashford Road.

Friends and family were challenged to wear a blindfold and
attempt to get around and tee-off to get an idea of what it is like
for Jamie.

Mrs Aspland, from Ashford, added: "Jamie has had three days
of intensive training and Daniel will be working with us over the
next 12 months to give us ideas.

"Since Jamie has begun learning the skill we've walked to the
park and he hasn't had to hold my hand. It's little things like
that, walking to the park, that people take for granted but for us
it was a big issue. It's changed our lives."