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

• Annual Tourney Huge Success!
• Team Blind Children
• Graduation Celebration
• Under Construction: New multi-sensory room
• Wish List

Mary & Martin Special Children, Special Family

On Christmas day 2001, Denise Witmeyer received a call from a friend who is a nurse in the neo-natal intensive care unit of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

"She knew that my husband and I had been foster parents to special needs babies for years," explains Denise. "She told me that there was a very special baby who had been in the hospital for nine months and was ready for discharge, but they were unable to find a qualified medical foster home for him."

The baby was named Martin. He was born at 24 weeks gestation and weighed only 1 lb. 2 oz. at birth. He had many medical complications, was legally blind and had hearing loss. With one visit Denise and Joe were hooked and Martin went home with them in January of 2002.

Two months later Denise and Joe got the surprise of their lives. It seemed that Martin had a twin sister, Mary, who needed to be removed from the foster home that she had been living in for five months. Martin and Mary were born at a Los Angeles Hospital and only Martin had been transferred to Childrens Hospital. Mary who weighed 1 lb. at birth also had many medical complications and was blind. "Separating them now was out of the question after all they had been through," said Denise. "So in March of 2002, Mary joined our family."

"After countless doctors appointments and surgeries, and after reading tons of material on being blind, one thing became clear; we needed to find a school that could help our babies," said Denise. "One name kept coming up in conversations that we had with people who had knowledge of blindness…the Blind Childrens Center of Los Angeles."

Martin & Mary Witmeyer, 3-year old twins, joined the Blind Childrens Center family in September of 2004. Their parents Joe and Denise are thrilled with their progress.

"Even though we live over 50 miles away from the school, after taking a tour, we knew it was the only place we wanted our babies to be." Martin and Mary have been attending the Center for almost a year now and their growth has been astonishing. "They are learning things that I would never have imagined possible," added Denise.

In July of 2003, the adoption of Martin and Mary into the Witmeyer family became final. "These wonderful babies will be loved every day for the rest of their lives. Thanks to the caring teachers and staff at the Blind Childrens Center our children have a wonderful foundation on which to build their lives."

Denise and Joe's family also include a 13-year old with severe asthma and allergies, a 14-year old with cerebral palsy, 17-year old twins, and a 25-year old woman with cerebral palsy. All seven, including Mary and Martin, have been added to the family over the years by adoption or guardianship through the Los Angeles County Department of Social Services.

An additional two young adults live in the guest home on the Witmeyer's Agua Dulce ranch. The home was added because the two are too old for the county's foster care program but still need assistance. They also have five natural children aged 20 to 36, not to mention the hundreds of abused and neglected children that have passed through their home before going back to their natural parents or adoptive homes.

The Witmeyers and the twins are a source of inspiration for us all.

2005/2006 School Year

Kindergarten, here we come!

We are pleased to announce the addition of a new Kindergarten program beginning at the start of the 2005/2006 school year. After an overwhelming demand by parents and a continued need for our specialized services, we are excited to offer this new program to our distinguished students and their families.

A Hoppin' Good Time!

The Center's Beeping Easter Egg hunt was lots of fun

Although hunting for beeping eggs is no easy task!

Using their sense of hearing and touch, the children were all smiles when they found their eggs. Each child exchanged the egg for an Easter basket full of tasty treats. Easter Bunny — and O&M Specialist — Beatriz Sanchez Fields interacted with the children to make for a fun and educational day. Live bunnies, ducks and fluffy, little chicks joined the fun to the delight of everyone.

Privacy Policy
Please note: The Blind Childrens Center does not lend, sell or allow the use of our lists to any other group or organization. We respect the privacy of our supporters and friends.

Newsletter Archives

How You Can Help