Blind Childrens Center
4120 Marathon Street, Los Angeles, California 90029 (323)664-2153
A family-centered agency serving children with visual impairments
The Anchora of Delta Gamma
Summer 2003
A Light in the Darkness
The Los Angeles Blind Childrens Center
"Where the other children understand me."
By Jen Rusinko
Public relations specialist and volunteer for the Los Angeles
Blind Childrens Center
"Yesterday I could hear the other children playing together — laughing, jumping and running. I could feel the heat of the sun, the coolness of the breeze and my mom's soft hands. I could smell the grass, the dirt and the sunscreen on my arms. I could taste the juice box and the cookies. I really wanted to leave my mom's lap and play but I was afraid. I might trip over a toy and fall or bump into a tree and cut myself. It's happened before.
"Today is my second birthday and this is my party. They say, 'Look at the balloons and decorations! What a pretty dress you have on! Let's open your presents!' I don't want to leave my mon's lap. I bury my head in her chest as they whisper, 'Such a pity, she'll never be able to enjoy life, being blind. Her parents will always have to take care of her.' I hear them, and retreat further into my dark world.
"Tomorrow my mom and dad will bring me to a place where the other children understand me. Together we'll play games and laugh. Gentle voices and hands will encourage me to explore the world. My caution will slowly dissolve and I will gain confidence. Independently, I will seek new challenges, learn life skills and refuse to believe that a visual impairment can stop me from having goals and dreams. At five years old, I will wear a tiny cap and gown and graduate into the world as a perfectly capable child, who happens to be blind.
"Tomorrow after tomorrow after tomorrow, I will 'see' the world differently, and the world will see me for who I am, an independent and confident young lady."
All because of the Blind Childrens Center of Los Angeles.
Founded in 1938 by Delta Gamma members in Southern California under the leadership of Dr. Lillian Ray Titcomb, the Blind Childrens Center provides family-centered services to children who are visually impaired from birth to school age.
The services provided are 100 percent free of charge and include infant programs, educational preschool, family services, publications and research. Currently, the Center serves more than 100 Los Angeles families each year. Its primary mission is to help children who are visually impaired acquire skills and build independence for assimilation into public education systems.
Blind Childrens Center
4120 Marathon Street
Los Angeles, California 90029-3584
(323) 664-2153 • Fax (323) 665-3828
©2008 Blind Childrens Center
All rights reserved.
A child who is visually impaired enjoys the tactile pleasures of Playdough.
Graduation is a special day for children at the Los Angeles Blind Childrens Center.