Glasgow mother born blind 'feared baby would be taken away' but now she's thriving

A first-time mother from Glasgow who was born severely visually impaired has spoken frankly about her worries during pregnancy, saying she feared she might not be “worthy” of her child, and that her baby could be taken away from her — concerns that ultimately gave way to resilience, confidence, and an appreciation for motherhood.

Key Takeaways:

• Ruby Shah was declared blind at birth and has severe visual impairment.

• She discovered she was pregnant in 2024.

• Originally she was scared that her son would be taken away from her due to her disability.

• She has since come to embrace motherhood, and is thriving with her son.

The Details:

Ruby Shah, 40, was born at just 24 weeks and was registered blind at birth. Shah has severe visual impairment, which means she cannot make out fine details like facial features or hairstyles, but she can differentiate larger shapes. She is also sensitive to light and wears sunglasses when she goes outdoors.

When she discovered she and her husband were expecting their son Michael in August of 2024, she felt deeply anxious about how she would cope with motherhood given her condition. Edinburgh Live quoted Shah as saying: 

It's hard enough sometimes just to get yourself out and about, dressing yourself - half the time my clothes are inside out, or there's a stain on them, so you're just like, Oh my God, am I going to be the same with a child? How am I going to know if they're ill? How am I going to know if they're upset?

All the NHS stuff say look for feeding cues, look for their facial expressions, look for if they're smiling. I'm like, I can't see their face, I don't know!

She described her motherhood journey as a “whole massive rollercoaster,” characterized by anxiety, self-doubt, and uncertainty about how her disability would impact her ability to care for her newborn. 

“You have challenges, but then you have some really nice moments,” Shah said. 

With the support of her 37-year-old husband David, her guide dog Sadie, and a network of fellow parents who also depend on guide dogs, the Glasgow mother has steadily built her confidence.

According to Edinburgh Live, Shah said:

“Before having a baby, everything was alien to me. I’d not really been around anyone who’s visually impaired and had a baby before. You hear about health visitors coming in and what if the place is a mess and you don’t know, or the dog’s put hair everywhere and you haven’t been able to pick that up, and they think that’s not a good place for the baby to be, it’s not a healthy place to be.

I had all those fears of, am I going to be worthy of this baby? Is he going to be seen as not being nurtured enough, not being looked after enough, and now they’re going to take him away from me because I’m not able to do as much as other people because of my visual impairment?You always work slightly harder, and you always worry that you’re not doing enough to match everyone else, and be as good a parent as you can for your baby."

Zoom In:

Practical support

Shah grew up with five siblings who all had normal eyesight, and she resolved to keep pace with those around her so she could live as independently as possible.

As a child and teenager, Shah relied on a cane for mobility, before she got her first guide dog after moving out. Shah's current dog, her third, is a black Labrador named Sadie, whom she credits with giving her the independence to travel on public transport, run errands, and visit loved ones.

Practical aid and community support helped to alleviate Shah’s worries about motherhood. She and Sadie obtained specialist training to manage walking with a pram, together with an adapted push-chair meant to make moving around easier. She also met other guide dog users who are parents, who offered reassurance and advice from their own experiences.

Shah presently uses a pram designed for one-handed use, permitting her to push it while holding Sadie’s harness with the other. Through her support network, she also learned practical tips such as organizing baby essentials so they are easy to locate, selecting zip-up clothing instead of buttons, and using brightly-colored outfits and play mats that are easier for her to detect. 

Shah also says that Sadie tries to protect baby Michael and "share her toys with him."

Finding her way

Shah’s confidence has steadily increased over the nine months since her son's birth, and says that baby Michael communicates with her in his own way by "mak[ing] a wee noise so that I know that he's smiling," which she doesn't believe is intentional, but helps her to know his emotions.

She added that "When he starts walking... I’m going to have to put an Apple tag or something on him, or like a wee beeper!"

Shah encouraged other visually impaired parents by saying that each person’s trajectory is different, and that everyone will find their own way of adapting to life as a parent.

“Everyone finds their own ways, everyone’s individual. Find your own way, and have confidence to see it through,” Shah said. 

The Bottom Line:

Shah’s prior concerns are not rare among parents with disabilities, many of whom concede increased scrutiny and a lack of understanding from the people around them. 

Life-affirming support can motivate women to welcome pregnancy and parenting. Instead of exacerbating her fears, Shah’s experience shows that with the right assistance and encouragement, disability does not prevent someone from being a responsible and capable parent.