Layla’s Story: Learning is Fun
February 2023 – Layla was born on Christmas Day, five years ago. Despite the joyous occasion, her parents, Salvador and Roxana, were faced with uncertainty when they learned their daughter was severely visually impaired due to glaucoma and aniridia. Layla endured multiple surgeries to relieve pressure in her eyes that first year, and more recently, a corneal transplant; yet her vision is still extremely limited. The family faced a difficult journey, but they were determined to build the very best future for their daughter.
Anadalia: Best Friends
February, 2022 – Our year-end mail campaign featured kindergartner Anadalia who enrolled at the Blind Children’s Center as a 7-month-old and is poised to graduate this year. She has flourished during her time at the Center and is a particularly social child who makes friends easily.
Xavi: “I Did It!”
August, 2019 – Xavier spontaneously exclaimed those three words as he walked away with his diploma from the Blind Children’s Center. For the eight year-old, the moment was the culmination of a long and often arduous journey. Born prematurely with multiple disabilities including Cerebral Palsy and Cortical Visual Impairment, Xavier’s early school years were unlike most, even at the Blind Children’s Center.
Future is bright for Center alumna
August, 2017 – From the moment Karen Arcos, PhD entered the Blind Children’s Center as a totally blind 6-month-old, Karen’s parents and teachers knew she was capable of great things.
TyShawn Lewis: It Takes A Village
May, 2017 – On April 13, 2008, Tyis Conner went into labor four and a half months into her first pregnancy. Her son, TyShawn Lewis came into the world weighing just one pound five ounces and measuring 12 inches long. “They told us babies born that small have little chance of surviving,” Tyis remembered. Miraculously TyShawn pulled through and defied all the odds.
Chris’ Story: Ready For Success
May, 2016 – Anne and Todd thought something was a little different with Christopher during those early months, but they weren’t sure. “We noticed he startled easily,” Todd said, “and he cried more than Maddie had. But, of course, every child is different.” Over the course of the next two months, Anne and Todd realized Chris wasn’t visually tracking objects properly and they became nervous. They began doing online research and the results were overwhelming.
Gabriel Lopez: In My Own Words
September, 2015 – I was a student at the Blind Children’s Center from 1996-2000, and I return to volunteer as frequently as I can. It has always been very clear to me that the Center’s mission is to provide students with the tools they need to take on the world and succeed throughout their lives. For me, and other students who are blind or visually impaired, assistive technology, like the devices pictured on this page, have been so important.
Jocelyn Riddle: Three’s Company
June, 2015 – The first day at a new school is never easy—a new building, new teachers, and lots of new classmates. Now imagine your first day as an eight year-old who is completely blind. Where is the building’s entrance? The classroom? The bathroom? It sounds terrifying.
Emma’s Story: The Winner’s Circle
March, 2015 – When runner #10706 crossed the finish line at the 2015 ASICS LA Marathon, a 26.2 mile run brought an entire family’s story full circle. Her name is Emma Leitzinger and her t-shirt read Blind Children’s Center, representing the first school she attended. In many regards, Emma was no different from the other 25,000 runners on the course that day. Watching her race past with a long, natural stride, she seemed like a born runner.
Hernandez Brothers: Healing The Whole Family
September, 2014 – Some might say the mission of the Blind Children’s Center is right in the name. But scratch a little deeper and you will find an organization that not only fosters the education of children who are visually impaired, but also meets the needs of their parents, siblings, and extended family.
Ysabella Arboleda: The Girl With The Magical Smile
June, 2014 – If you visit the Blind Children’s Center on a typical school day and find yourself walking around the playground during recess, you just might catch a glimpse of her. Some days you’ll find her sitting with her favorite teacher in the big swinging chair, seemingly just taking it all in. Other days you’ll spot her in her walker, making strides, bigger and more easily than she did the week before. She’s Ysabella Arboleda, the little girl with the magical smile.
Nico, Bright and Social
March, 2014 – After a year of watching their second child develop, Irma Gomez and her husband Sergio noticed something was different in the way young Nicolas studied objects, toys, and other children. “He would lean in closer or put objects closer to his face than you’d expect,” Irma remembered. “At first, we thought it was just Nico’s unique way of learning and interacting, but soon, we realized something was wrong with his vision.”