I am the parent of Dexter Ward, who has bilateral congenital glaucoma. When Dexter was three months old we learned that he had congenital glaucoma. He had his first surgery when he was three months old and started wearing glasses at 18 months old. He hated them so his father made a pair for his favorite toy Scruffy. At two Dexter had his 14th surgery and lost all vision in his right eye and was registered as severally visually impaired. Shortly after this he started to use a long cane, so Dexter’s father made Scruffy a long cane. Scruffy and Dexter have had many adventures together over the last couple years.
As soon as we were told that Dexter would be a braille user we started to look for books and games for him and very quickly realized that the provisions for visually impaired children were limited. Five years later and with the input and inspiration of Dexter we have self-published three first touch books and three story books. Dexter has also published his own story book called Dexter and Gracie Go to Space. He has also written his first cookbook, Dexter’s Bakers Dozen. All our books are written and designed by Dexter and aim to provide a positive, fun role model for children who are visually impaired as well as educating children and adults as to why some children use a cane.
About Scruffy
Scruffy is an Uffy who comes from the town of Ruffy.
He is a cheeky lad who is visually impaired and uses a rainbow coloured cane. He gets up to lots of adventures with his Uffy friends Pink, Scramble, and Jeff.
Scruffy the Uffy and Friends – Scruffy and his friends, Pink, Scramble, and Jeff, have fun puddle jumping and mountain climbing before chilling out with a hot chocolate. Scruffy the Uffy and Friends is available in a large print format size 40, giant font size 60, as well as giant font with braille.
Scruffy the Uffy helps Santa – Scruffy joins Santa on Christmas Eve. Scruffy gets to meet Santa then they fly around the world delivering presents to his friends. Scruffy the Uffy helps Santa is available in large font size 40, giant font size 55, and giant font with braille.
Scruffy Breaks His Cane – Scruffy and his friend Jeff take his cane to their friend, Maybury, to be fixed. What could possibly go wrong? Scruffy Breaks His Cane is available in large font size 40, giant font size 60, and giant font with braille
Dexter and Gracie go to Space – Dexter flies around the solar system with his friend Gracie. Gracie doesn’t see very well like Dexter and she wears cool green hearing aids. Will they meet an alien? Dexter and Grace go to Space is available in large font size 40, giant font size 55, and giant font with braille.
Dexter’s Bakers Dozen is 13 of Dexter’s favorite recipes. The book is spiral bound so it lies flat and is laminated so it can be wiped clean. Dexter’s Bakers Dozen is available in large font size 32 and giant font size 48.
All our books are available at scruffytheuffy.com
For more information or to order books email: scruffytheuffy@gmail.com
