Jim Turk is a 2019 Council Excellence Award recipient and self-defense instructor living in Madison. On January 4, 2019, Jim took on the new role of Dad. On that day, he and his wife Vicky welcomed their son, Eli Turk, into the world. As a parent who is blind, Jim wondered how his vision loss would impact his ability to bond with his son.
“I was worried that my lack of eye contact would keep us from connecting, since eye contact is so important for babies,” Jim says. “In reality, it has not been an issue at all.”
Jim spends a lot of time feeding, playing with and changing diapers on his son. He says these activities help him form a close bond with his son.
Throughout the past six months, he says print/braille books, baby carriers, and a lot of baby wipes, have made caring for Eli a joy.
“My favorite aspect of being a parent is watching Eli change and grow,” Jim exclaims. “He does something new every day.”
Gifts for Dads and Grandpas
The Council’s Sharper Vision Store carries many toys and games to play with your children or grandchildren. If you are looking for a product just for dad, you can shop for cooking and grilling products and a fishing knotter.
Interested in picking up a unique gift for dad? Stop by the Council’s Sharper Vision Store at 754 Williamson Street in Madison. The store is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Thursdays till 7 p.m. The Sharper Vision Store offers gift cards, so dad can select the perfect item for himself. Shopping can also be done online at WCBlind.org/store or over the phone at 1-800-783-5213.
To find braille and audio books, check out these resources:
- Wisconsin Braille offers free books in braille for a variety of ages. Visit wisbrl.org/bookproj.html to find the complete list.
- Braille Library and Transcribing Services offers a lending library of print/braille books and braille books for children and adults. See their catalog at bltsinc.org/.
- You can also listen to books together. Download talking books for kids from the Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library at webopac.klas.com/wi1aopac/search/search.jsf?q=kids or dpi.wi.gov/talkingbooks/services/reading-lists/opac.
- Kindle and Amazon offer books with narration at amazon.com/b/ref=amb_link_422999562_4?ie=UTF8&node=9630682011.
