top of page
Search


From Diagnosis to Discovery: Learning to Feel Again
Life can change in an instant, and for me, that moment came during what I thought was a routine eye exam. My son’s diagnosis with Usher...
Lanya McKittrick
Oct 21, 20245 min read
0 comments


Redefining Halloween Magic: How Our Family Made the Holiday Work for Us
A few weeks ago I was featured in Parents Magazine, sharing my tips for a more inclusive Halloween . I shared a lot of tips from how to...
Lanya McKittrick
Oct 14, 20245 min read
0 comments


Failure or Fate? Our Experience with IVF & PGD
I’ve thought about writing this blog for a long time but it’s a vulnerable and controversial topic. I mentioned my journey with IVF/PGD...
Lanya McKittrick
Sep 23, 20248 min read
0 comments


Reframing my Outlook: Celebrating Usher Syndrome Awareness Day 2024
Every third Saturday of September marks Usher Syndrome Awareness Day, and this year, it falls on September 21, 2024. This day always...
Lanya McKittrick
Sep 17, 20244 min read
0 comments


My Emotional Journey and Insights from the Usher Syndrome Connections Conference
Last week was the 15th Usher Syndrome Connections Conference in Rochester, NY. I always look forward to this time. This year was full of...
Lanya McKittrick
Jul 29, 20246 min read
0 comments


The Remote Learning Reality for Students who are Deafblind
As a research analyst at the Center on Reinventing Public Education, I've researched school/district response to the pandemic. I've...
Lanya McKittrick
Sep 17, 20204 min read
0 comments


Usher Syndrome Awareness Day 2020
September 19 is Usher Syndrome Awareness Day. It’s always a day that causes me to reflect on all that I am thankful for. Like many of...
Lanya McKittrick
Sep 15, 20203 min read
0 comments


Remote Learning for Students who are Deafblind
I was asked to share my experiences and perspectives about remote learning for children who are deafblind, like my son Dalton....
Lanya McKittrick
May 24, 20201 min read
0 comments


Importance of Family-to-Family Support
Today I started the day in tears in my car, a reminder of the long emotional few weeks our family has been through. A few months ago, our...
Lanya McKittrick
Jan 31, 20203 min read
0 comments


Conner shares his journey to acceptance
Being Conner’s mom is such a joy for me. He has overcome huge obstacles and works so hard to achieve his goals. I can’t believe it’s...
Lanya McKittrick
Dec 6, 20192 min read
0 comments
Guest podcast with Portland State University
As part of my efforts to help more families dealing with Usher syndrome, I was happy to be interviewed by Professor Amy Parker of...
Lanya McKittrick
Dec 1, 20191 min read
0 comments
IEP Experiences Podcast
I’m excited to share my podcast about raising two sons with Usher syndrome. In my first episode, I tell you a little about my family, and...
Lanya McKittrick
Nov 29, 20191 min read
0 comments


Presenting research at the DbI Network of Americas conference
I had the privilege of attending and presenting at the first-ever Network of the Americas Conference sponsored by Deafblind International...
Lanya McKittrick
Oct 31, 20192 min read
0 comments


We were honored to receive the Foresight Award
Todd and I were so honored to receive the Foresight Award from the Usher Syndrome Coalition in 2017. We are gratified by the recognition,...
Lanya McKittrick
Oct 10, 20191 min read
0 comments
Unraveling Usher Syndrome through Community
https://news.thinkgenetic.com/2019/09/21/unraveling-usher-syndrome-through-community/?fbclid=IwAR0UR7g-45Bx_nnYtquLAl3tecqWjzuIWgE4ULyaOi...
Lanya McKittrick
Sep 21, 20191 min read
0 comments


Usher Syndrome Awareness Day
Gov. Jay Inslee declared Sept. 16, 2017 Usher Syndrome Awareness Day in Washington. We wrote to the governor and asked him to join other...
Lanya McKittrick
Sep 7, 20191 min read
0 comments


Raising Awareness about Usher with our lawmakers
One of the ways Hear See Hope works to raise awareness of Usher syndrome is through our lawmakers. Todd and I met with Sen. Patty Murray...
Lanya McKittrick
Jul 31, 20191 min read
0 comments


Helping my son overcome college challenges
Usher syndrome has taught me so much. We have good days and days that challenge us. This week has been filled with challenges. We are so...
Lanya McKittrick
Jan 26, 20194 min read
0 comments
Teaching Self-Determination Skills to Students with Visual Impairments
A link to my talking about the research study I did on self-determination.
Lanya McKittrick
Nov 4, 20171 min read
0 comments
bottom of page