Harvey Webb suffers from achromatopsia, which means he must wear sunglasses

by Nick Lillitos

When little Harvey Webb tries to watch Thomas the Tank
Engine he has to wear special sunglasses - his face just inches
away from the TV screen.

And when he steps outside he has to wear them all the time.

The plucky three-year-old can only make out shades of black and
white, and without his sunglasses he’s hit by a sheet of blinding
light.

The toddler from Tonbridge has a rare condition called
achromatopsia which makes his eyes extremely sensitive to
light.

“Imagine you’re driving a car on the motorway when it’s just
rained and above there’s a blazing sun, that’s the kind of
reflection Harvey has to cope with,” says his loving mum
Louise.

“It’s not a problem getting Harvey to keep his sunglasses on.
From day one he realised it helps him.”

His world is just what he can make out directly around him in a
confined area.

If he’s in a car he can see shadowy outlines within the vehicle,
but outside everything is a blur. At home the curtains need to be
drawn most of the time.

But thanks to a team of experts at Dorton House in Seal, and the
support of his mum and dad, Harvey is being taught at early age to
stimulate his residual vision, helping new pathways form in his
brain.

Harvey Webb three years old with his sister Megan

His training includes hearing, sound and movement, using these
sensory abilities to be aware of what’s going on around him -
sounds like birds, planes and vehicle noise.

Music plays a big role too, and he strums a guitar in sessions
at the centre.

His sister Megan, just five months old, also has the same eye
condition.

"harvey is a little daredevil - he’s a lovely, social, fearless and positive little boy" – harvey's mum louise

“My husband Andy and
I were in a state at first, but I’m consoled they will share their
world together and be able to support one another in later
life.

“They’re going to be pals. I feel at peace with myself knowing
he’s at Dorton House, it takes in children from all over Kent.

“It’s an amazing place and he’s getting the best possible start
in life there.”

Little Harvey has two big loves in life - it’s a thrill for
him to hoover around the house and strum his guitar.

“He is really fascinated with the vacuum cleaner,” says mum
Louise. Harvey is a little daredevil - he’s a lovely, social,
fearless and positive little boy.

“Because of the help he’s getting he will be able to take every
opportunity and succeed in life.

"The amazing thing is that he is actually teaching Andy and me -
in a way he is guiding us on what he can do and, in turn, giving us
confidence and reassurance.”

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The specialists helping Harvey and many other children at Dorton House Nursery come under the umbrella of the Royal London Society for the Blind.

And it needs all the help it can get to expand its services.

They have launched a £100,000 appeal called Little Heroes.

Dr Tom Pey, chief executive of the RLSB, said the nursery was the only type in the country dedicated to blind and partially sighted young children like Harvey.

“The appeal will help more blind toddlers access our existing nursery and launch more of them.”

To donate by text: NURSERY to 70007 to give £3 ordonate online.