Words by Smiley Team
The magic of Father Christmas is one of the most special parts of the festive season for children. But those with a visual impairment miss out on some of that sparkle.
To make sure no one is left behind, the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is continuing to make sure children with a vision impairment are still able to receive a letter from Santa this year.
Jolly Old St Nicholas (wink) teamed up with RNIB to ensure every child with a vision impairment receives a reply to their letter in an accessible format such as braille, large print, or audio.
This work is part of the charity’s wider Christmas campaign and the stories of four children who will receive a letter have been highlighted.
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Eli Baker, six, from Essex is partially sighted as he was born with nystagmus and ocular albinism. He also has a genetic disorder called Waardenburg syndrome and has had around 20 operations in his young life. Eli’s four-year-old brother, Oscar, whom Eli is very close to, has the same condition and is partially deaf. Eli’s letter from Santa will be in large print.
Sisters Mila and Enya Smith who are also from Essex, have albinism. Mila, seven, who is partially sighted, will receive a large print letter from Santa while Enya, three, who is severely sight impaired, will get an audio letter. Enya and Mila are looking forward to spending lots of time with family over Christmas and will celebrate together on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Andrea Jones, RNIB’s Head of Supporter Retention said: “Receiving a letter from Santa is such an exciting experience for any child. [These children are just ] some of the many children in the UK with vision impairment who RNIB is supporting to ensure that Christmas is accessible and inclusive for all.
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"Our aim is to create an experience that means no child misses out on the magic of Christmas, and RNIB’s Letters from Santa is just one part of this work.”
Last year, the elves sent 1,465 letters from Santa to blind and partially sighted children across the UK, helping them experience the same magic of Christmas as sighted children.
Gift a child with a visual impairment a letter from Santa on the RNIB website, or support the vital work of the charity by finding out more about how to donate and fundraise for them.
