Lubbock baby goes viral after the 1yearold gets new glasses, sees mom’s face for first time
Jan 23, 2025
LUBBOCK, Texas -- As Jasmine Sepeda slipped on her one-year-old daughter’s new pink glasses and her little girl looked her in the eyes, she knew it was the first time Charlie Rose was seeing her mom clearly. Sepeda also knew she would never want to forget the moment.
“I just can't even put it into words as a mother how it feels that your child can see clearly for the first time,” Sepeda said.
Luckily, Sepeda thought to set up her phone to record it. Deciding to post the video on TikTok later that day, she went to sleep and could never predict that she’d wake up to another unforgettable moment. She’d left a mark on the hearts of millions of viewers who watched the clip.
“They don't even know me. I don't know them and they've just said the sweetest things,” Sepeda said.
LCSO: Man hospitalized after shooting on Highway 87
Now, Sepeda's sharing the journey the moment she pressed record on the viral video. It all started in January 2024, about two months after Charlie was born when a nurse practitioner noticed that Charlie didn’t have a red reflection in her eyes that usually appears when shining a light or taking a photo.
At first, doctors considered Retinoblastoma, since a lack of red reflex can indicate that form of childhood cancer. Retinoblastoma was ruled out; however, Charlie did need to undergo six procedures to fix hemorrhaging behind her eyes, a partial retinal detachment and a cataract.
Throughout the procedures, Sepeda knew her daughter wasn't able to see the things around her clearly.
“It's so scary because all you want is your child to see your parent's face and we don't realize how we take our vision for granted,” Sepeda said.
On Wednesday, Charlie was finished with the bulk of her procedures, sporting her new pink glasses, and could see her toys as well as her mom, clearly.
“A year later, she can see all the things that we've seen,” Sepeda said.
New Head Football Coach and Band Director announced at Frenship Memorial High School
Sepeda said she now wants to raise awareness to other parents, so they know to check for a red reflex in their babies and make sure their eyes are healthy.
“Babies can't talk, they can't speak and it's important for us as parents to focus on the little things,” Sepeda said.
Charlie’s mom is forever grateful for the nurse practitioner who did notice the lack of a red reflex in her daughter, and everyone who helped Charlie Rose along the way to seeing the world.
Sepeda said the journey isn’t quite over as Charlie has an upcoming appointment to address some pressure in her right eye. However, for the most part, the little girl is finally getting to live life as normal.
“God was always going to be good,” Sepeda said.