2-year-old swimmer overcomes blindness

DEPEW, N.Y. (WIVB) - Many 2-year-olds are still just getting used to wading in the water. But one Depew toddler is already swimming after overcoming some real obstacles.

At 2-years old, it takes a trained ear to catch everything Jack Shea says. His favorite thing to do, besides playing with his stuffed bear 'Boo Boo', is jumping into his 16-by-3 -foot heated indoor pool.

No water wings. No life jacket.

He's comfortable treading water and swimming impressive distances to the edge, which he can climb himself. Now he's working on the backstroke, and mastering underwater breath control.

What Jack can do at this age is even more remarkable because of what he can't.

"We did learn that he was legally blind," says his mom, Kristin Shea.

His limited vision stems from a series of adrenal health problems after he was born. Kristin and Jeremiah almost lost him.

"The real gut check was when they read him his Last Rites. We really didn't know what to expect after that," Jeremiah says.

But Jack persevered. And so did his parents, looking only at the positive.

"Why talk about things he can't do or even think about them, so we immediately thought of things he could do," Jeremiah says.

While taking his first baby swimming lessons, Jack soon paddled ahead of the class. Kristin and Jeremiah fostered those talents.

And now, his beautiful blue eyes might lack sight, but they show an inquisitive nature you'd expect in most toddlers.

Since Jack has no fear of the water, his parents make sure to stress safety and following the rules.

Someday Jack will be old enough to understand all he's overcome. Regardless whether he still enjoys swimming, his parents already are proud of their healthy and happy boy.

"Just the fact he's alive is good enough for me and everything else is cherry on top," Jeremiah says.

"We were told he might not be a typical child and he's excelled in so much. It just makes me so proud of him," Kristin says with tears in her eyes.

Jack's parents are putting him in private swimming lessons because his swimming skills are more advanced than other kids his age. But he's still a 2-year-old, so he needs that extra attention.