Blind Childrens Center

4120 Marathon Street, Los Angeles, California 90029 (323)664-2153

A family-centered agency serving children with visual impairments

IN THIS REPORT...

Eduardo The story of Eduardo Cholula, Jr.

Eduardo was born on June 29, 2002. He stayed in the hospital for 8 months under intensive care, receiving daily blood transfusions for a rare type of blood disease called Diamond Blackfan Anemia (DBA).

DBA, which affects only 400 people worldwide, causes the body’s bone marrow to produce little or no red blood cells. Treatments include the use of steroids and blood transfusions. The only cure is a bone marrow transplant. Eduardo was born prematurely, he also suffers from undeveloped retinas and optic nerve atrophy.

“We found out about the Blind Childrens Center through the United Disabled Latin Americans Group (UDLA).”

Eduardo started attending the Center’s Infant Program in September of 2003. He is now socializing with his peers and teachers and producing different vocalizations. He knows when he is coming to school and loves school songs.

“We’ve seen a lot of progress in Eduardo’s overall development,” says Mom. ““He is able to hold toys, clap hands, roll from back to stomach, sit with support, and is starting to imitate words such as ‘thank you’. He can also make animal sounds and blows kisses.”

“Thanks to Eduardo our family has become more united,” adds Dad. “We enjoy life and have a more positive outlook. Everyday Eduardo is teaching us something new. He gives us the courage to continue fighting for his life with just his inspirational smile. We thank God for all the beautiful people that he put on our path, like everyone at Blind Childrens Center.”

Eduardo has inspired his family to write and publish a book entitled Comenzando Bajo Cero (Starting Below Zero. Available for $18.95 plus tax.)

Olivia, Eduardo’s mother, started a diary to keep track of everything that Eduardo was going through. “It was a tool to help us learn and research more about Eduardo’s complicated problems.”

Eduardo, Sr. then compiled the diary and all of their research into a book. “I worked on it for about a year,” says Eduardo, Sr.

“Our mission is that through our book, families of children and adults with a disability will know that life is a challenge, but that they can find hope through courage, always expecting positive results. Families of children with a life altering diagnosis must face life with a positive attitude, but above all always have a smile, especially in their hearts.”

“Our entire family worked on this project,” adds Eduardo, Sr. “In the book our oldest son Erik expresses what it feels like to have a sibling with a disability.”

Currently, the book is only available in Spanish and 100 copies have already been sold. The family plans on translating the book into English very soon.

“We are so grateful to all the people that support the Blind Childrens Center,” says Eduardo, Sr. “Because of your generosity, our family has been able to benefit from the extensive services at the Center. We see so many smiles everyday thanks to you.”