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

• The Tom Sullivan Blind Childrens Center Celebrity Golf Classic
• Team Blind Children
• Classroom notes: graduation and more
• Alumnae news
• Wish List

Michelle Grace A very special gift

When Michelle Grace was born, her parents, Ani and Paul, were elated. "We knew that our prayers for a very special gift had been answered. We just didn't know how special right away," said Ani.

"Everyone, including Paul and me, were amazed at her beautiful blonde, almost white hair, but no one suspected anything was wrong…especially me."

At Michelle's two-month doctor's appointment, the pediatrician noticed that Michelle was not tracking the flash of light she directed right over her eyes. "I had noticed Michelle's eyes moving back and forth a few times but denied that anything could be wrong with my perfect little baby. The next day we went to see the ophthalmologist and he told us that our daughter has Albinism. I cannot explain in words the emotions a parent feels when their child is diagnosed with an 'ism'," said Ani.

Albinism is a genetic condition that results in a lack of pigmentation in the body, including the eyes. It affects only 1 in 20,000 births. "This is why our baby is so blonde," says Ani. The lack of pigmentation in Michelle's retina will cause her vision to be impaired as well.

Michelle was enrolled at the Blind Childrens Center at three months old. "It was very difficult to come to the program at first because I didn't want to accept that my perfect little baby needed assistance. But once we got started, the atmosphere was so loving and the activities were so helpful that I quickly felt right at home and excited about Michelle's future," says Ani.

For the first six months, Michelle's vision was very low. Michelle's teachers began visual stimulation by using toys with lights. Occupational therapy was introduced to develop her fine motor skills and to develop her eye hand coordination.

Around the seventh-month, her vision began to improve. "Paul and I believe that Michelle has reached her major milestones without any developmental delays because of the Center. The Center has helped her fully use the vision that she has. She acts like a sighted child. Her beautiful teacher Lily has become a friend and has given us so much support and guidance."

"I highly recommend this wonderful school to parents with special needs children. Our experience here has been invaluable. I don't know where we would be without the Blind Childrens Center. This school is the ideal place for any child to grow."

Easter Bunny hops by!

The Easter Bunny visited the Center's children bringing baskets filled with yummy treats. Our annual Beeping Easter Egg Hunt brought lots of smiles and giggles as the children hunted for eggs using their sense of hearing and of touch. Live bunnies, ducks and fluffy little chicks ran around the yard delighting everyone.

Special thanks to Ralph and Janis Lake for providing the petting zoo, The Mandeville Neighbors for the special gifts for the children, South Bay Delta Gamma Alumnae for the sibling baskets, Performance Team Freight Systems Inc. for the student baskets, Angie Roman and Jim Amormino for the delicious barbeque lunch, and Beatriz Sanchez Fields, Orientation & Mobility Specialist and Easter Bunny.

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