Blind Childrens Center
4120 Marathon Street, Los Angeles, California 90029 (323)664-2153
A family-centered agency serving children with visual impairments
IN THIS ISSUE
• Team Blind Children
• Wish List
Daisy A happy little girl with dreams & goals
Daisy was born on April 25, 2000. Two months after her birth she was seen by an ophthalmologist due to concerns about her visual behaviors. At that time she was diagnosed with bilateral anaridia, and juvenile aphakik glaucoma in her left eye, and glaucoma in both eyes. She started on glaucoma medication immediately. In May of 2001 she underwent her first surgery to place tubes in her eyes to help with drainage.
Daisy started attending the Center at ten-months old. She began the infant program, and despite the fact that she missed many days of school due to surgeries and medical appointments, Daisy made progress. The following year she moved on to our preschool program where she continued to improve. During this time, doctors continued to try to save the vision she had left in her right eye with numerous surgeries and frequent eye doctor appointments.
In the spring of 2003 she underwent a corneal transplant in her left eye in the hopes that maybe she would regain some of the vision. Initially the surgery appeared to be a success, but in the Fall the family was informed that Daisy’s body was rejecting the cornea and she would have to undergo yet another corneal transplant. The family was devastated by the news. At the same time the pressure in both of her eyes was elevated, giving the family something else to worry about. Daisy has been receiving drops in her eyes most of her life, and she is as aware as a 3-year old can be of what is going on with her eyes.
Daisy comes to school wearing her sunglasses. As soon as she gets into her classroom, she goes straight to her personal cubby-hole and changes her glasses. Then, when its time to go outside, she goes straight to her cubby to get her sunglasses. She does this without anyone telling her to do so.
The prognosis for Daisy continues to be guarded. Although the family hopes for Daisy to keep the vision she has, her mother has been taking the Braille class to prepare for the possibility that Daisy may have to be a Braille reader. Daisy is a happy little girl who enjoys rough housing with her two older brothers at home. At the beginning Daisy was very shy and would only speak in a low voice. She related mostly to adults. Now, at school she is connecting more with her peers and has become “a little chatter-box.”
This year, as in previous years she has missed a lot of school, but year after year she continues to meet the goals set in her yearly Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
Daisy’s teacher Rachel says that she has developed such a cute personality. “She loves to sing and has a beautiful voice,” says Rachel. “She also really likes to play outside and runs around like a little bouncy-ball.” If you see her out in the play-yard it would be difficult to imagine that this little girl has been through so much in such a short period of time.
Blind Childrens Center
4120 Marathon Street
Los Angeles, California 90029-3584
(323) 664-2153 • Fax (323) 665-3828
©2009 Blind Childrens Center
All rights reserved.
Teacher Rachel with Daisy.