When Marina and Cameron McCombs welcomed their second son, Reuben, they learned something unexpected: he was born blind with Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), a rare genetic condition that causes severe vision loss. Until then, they were unaware they were both carriers of the same gene. They later learned that each pregnancy carried a 25% chance of having another child with LCA. Their third son, Alden, was also born blind.
Although the diagnosis came with plenty of unknowns, one thing never changed for Marina and Cameron: the way they wanted to raise their children. Today, they focus on helping all four boys experience life to the fullest.
Building Community Through Adaptive Recreation
Before moving to Nebraska when Reuben was two years old, the McCombs family lived in a small town in Texas. While some resources were available, opportunities to connect with other families raising blind children were limited. After settling in Nebraska, they learned about Outlook Enrichment through Reuben’s orientation and mobility counselor at school. Their introduction to the organization came through the annual Family Beep Baseball Clinic, which quickly became a family favorite.
“Reuben was so young when we first went to beep baseball,” said Marina. “Now, he is much older, and he can do so much more and participate fully in all the various stations. I think the most important thing he has taken from beep baseball is that we can join in different physical activities with adaptations. We love doing things as a family, and these events are a great way to grow closer together and have fun. It’s also great for our sighted children to see how to adapt activities for their blind brothers.”
Raising Blind and Sighted Children with Equal Expectations
Reuben has become a familiar face at Outlook events with staff, volunteers, and other clients. A true adventurer, he loves exploring and approaches every challenge without fear. Over the years, he has learned that he can run just as fast, climb just as high, and participate right alongside his sighted peers. More importantly, he has built the confidence to know that being blind should never keep him from participating in activities.
Reuben is a favorite at Outlook events with staff, volunteers, and other clients. A true adventurer who loves exploring and tackles every challenge with no fear. He has learned that he can run just as fast and climb just as high as his sighted peers. He’s built up the confidence to know he shouldn’t be excluded from activities just because he is blind. This is because he and his brothers, both blind and sighted, were all raised with the same expectations.
“We look at each of our kid’s personalities and what they prefer, especially their different temperaments. All of our kids have the same expectations, depending on their age or development level. We make adaptations for our blind kids, but they are still expected to participate in everything that we do as a family,” shared Marina.
Those adaptations are often simple. Reuben sweeps the kitchen floor toward a chair before collecting the crumbs underneath. When Alden helps with dishes, the family makes sure there are no knives in the sink, a precaution they would take for any child his age. Whether they are doing chores or spending time outdoors, the goal is the same: everyone participates.
Finding Strength Through Shared Experiences
Like many parents, Marina and Cameron faced plenty of questions and anxieties after Reuben’s diagnosis. One of the most valuable resources they found was other families who had already walked a similar path. Family events gave them the opportunity to watch, learn, and ask questions of people further along in the vision loss journey than they were.
Meeting other families with blind children and tapping into resources from various blindness organizations in Omaha has been central to Reuben’s growth. He has learned everyday life skills, Braille literacy, cane travel, and participates in adaptive recreation and outdoor adventures.
“Without all of these organizations that have helped Reuben and connected him with so many great people, we would definitely be in a much different place in our journey. Reuben looks forward to every activity and feels special to be able to participate. We’re looking forward to beep baseball. It is always super fun for our family! It’s just awesome to be able to come to events as a family where every one of us can feel included,” shared Marina.
Looking back, Marina and Cameron couldn’t have imagined how much their family would grow through this journey. They’ve watched Reuben and Alden develop confidence, independence, and a love for trying new things. And as all four boys continue to grow, one thing remains the same: every child is encouraged to participate, explore, and enjoy life to the fullest.
For families navigating blindness or vision loss, no one should have to walk the journey alone. Whether you’re looking for support, adaptive recreation, or ways to connect with other families, Outlook Enrichment is here to help.
