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...

Remarkable Angela

Angela’s story is one of strength, willpower and determination

Born with Optic Nerve Hypoplasia, an under-developed optic nerve bundle connecting the eye to the brain, Cerebral Palsy, and a tumor on her brain that causes severe seizures, Angela’s challenges were overwhelming.

She arrived at the Blind Childrens Center at 1 year old not able to speak, walk, eat or respond to simple commands. Today she is a vibrant 5 year old who walks from class to class with minimal difficulty and who especially loves lunch…if Adela, the Blind Childrens Center cook, prepares the meal.

Her mom, Lourdes, said that she was concerned that Angela would never eat, walk or talk. “But with all the help the Center has given us, Angela amazes me every day. She now eats solid food, chews, swallows, uses utensils, and drinks from a cup. She talks all the time and can carry on a conversation. Actually, her greatest strength is her language skills. She walks very well now too. She uses braces on her legs which has helped her tremendously.”

Angela’s teacher, Grace, has seen some remarkable progress in Angela over the last year alone. “Angela has improved in all areas, especially gross motor development,” said Grace. “At the beginning of the school year she was using her walker to move around and sometimes she would even crawl in the classroom. Now, she is able to walk around on her own and has started using her adapted cane to walk outside the classroom.”

“Angela is a charming little girl who is full of potential. Her sense of humor has made our classroom lively and fun this year,” added teacher Grace. “She says she has two mommies. Me and her mother, Lourdes. She calls me her mommy on Fridays because she wants me to take her home for the weekend. She says she wants to go home to Nigeria, I’m originally from Nigeria, and watch television on my big screen and eat ice cream. She’s very imaginative.”

Mom is also very involved in the Center’s fund raising activities and parent groups. “The parent support groups have helped me so much with my self-esteem,” said Mom. “The Center has helped me in so many different ways. I remember when I first started the program at the Center, the staff would also visit Angela and me in our home. I learned that teaching Angela didn’t stop once we left the classroom for the day. I had to keep up the hard work at home and they taught me how to do that. They taught me how to be an advocate for my daughter. They would come with us to doctor’s appointments and helped me learn to choose what type of care Angela needed.”

“The Center has impacted not just Angela’s life, but my life and my whole family’s life. I wish I had more words to express my appreciation for the Center’s help. My heart is filled with gratitude and appreciation.”