tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55505886149226434012024-03-12T19:57:46.824-07:00Blind Children's Learning CenterBlind Children's Learning Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01629156983189934835noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550588614922643401.post-7189097801843360802016-02-03T09:46:00.004-08:002016-02-03T09:46:42.255-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.instagram.com/blindchildrenlc" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXQooUN_iFLIGUAHEtlxV1ABNl31GJ4F1JracVXeCXWkPYacDZSYUc2TGV3ILokMgEnVgL8llcxNazZqazBPkBirBSXstTso546xhn7vnLIdqYKLREg2oWOMtHmAJTBfdUPqL82pmRA6i/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-02-03+at+9.45.18+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; text-align: start;">It was so great to speak to optometry students at </span><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=179834008835913" href="https://www.facebook.com/MBKetchumUniversity/" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none;">Marshall B. Ketchum University</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; text-align: start;"> this morning! Our Low Vision Clinic and assistive technology simply would not be possible without them. Such a privilege to meet a class full of people who will continue such important work!</span></div>
<br />Blind Children's Learning Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01629156983189934835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550588614922643401.post-89477681725220515732016-01-29T09:23:00.006-08:002016-01-29T09:34:25.172-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.instagram.com/blindchildrenlc" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPBWMLpX6c-W9vYahaX-H47PHZePVy1Am7Iq4bParz3X5KsUX96oJhSLYJ3boA5PC6orefHaobVqZE0fkD0QBgmFxAWgfW_9Dv4LgD0SjwSdA9aLWZ15p_Bt4Xxh5Iany5Yc6YxQ-m_he/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-01-29+at+9.22.07+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<h1 data-reactid=".1.1.0.0.2.1.0.0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span data-reactid=".1.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a data-reactid=".1.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.$text0/=1$entity0/=010" href="https://www.instagram.com/morgan.stanley/" style="border: 0px; color: #125688; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">@morgan.stanley</a><span data-reactid=".1.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.1" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> South Coast made our day! They brought one of our children's favorite šbooksš» to life, and it was soooo fun. THANK YOU!</span></span></h1>
Blind Children's Learning Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01629156983189934835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550588614922643401.post-87942862028041730732016-01-26T17:34:00.003-08:002016-01-26T17:34:22.380-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.instagram.com/blindchildrenlc" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy3SEmBO3vERxCECqv4AZNraqYnBL3XJWIpM9A3RBudVpbmnfJF_3prLNOEAtsNpvnSv3fySToKXJphWPxch_3Caup7mzI0B-3ggSPDm7V8dsDpH2hRiJwr3T1-abV3q8-wou06UIYcnny/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-01-26+at+5.32.58+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<h1 data-reactid=".2.1.0.0.2.1.0.0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span data-reactid=".2.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span data-reactid=".2.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.0" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Such a cute way to learn about </span><a data-reactid=".2.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.$text0/=1$entity0/=010" href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/space/" style="border: 0px; color: #125688; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">space</a><span data-reactid=".2.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.2" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">!! </span></span></h1>
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<span data-reactid=".2.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span data-reactid=".2.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.2" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">šš«šššššāØ</span></span></h1>
<br />Blind Children's Learning Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01629156983189934835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550588614922643401.post-4417988400460672412016-01-26T17:32:00.002-08:002016-01-29T09:33:37.446-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.instagram.com/blindchildrenlc" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxW_XGKLqHfuy32Ygb_-pTtQ-i-ClDgePubME7cl9u30xrqaR627mN-hqaqVlVJZasInC9ZP0UPck928zKrj1DhXg08Ldf0hlQcXqjnr654yA45l7azOjUv8-HTiprARO5CqUQBPMXH9D4/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-01-26+at+5.31.38+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Get tactile with it!</div>
<br />Blind Children's Learning Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01629156983189934835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550588614922643401.post-37600592561437654672016-01-17T13:32:00.001-08:002016-02-03T11:24:11.954-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/blindchildrenlc/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Mg8Rp08pKMhxVeId4pJtyqnhPCCdT4taFPgU5_tEnUvN6xsAnTuMN7Xkx6bqlmTzf2grehISkJFs0w9XJcvKlrtFgUzT4xoZ4N9yajH0IcgAT4ub236sjAZ7Msfd7gCULYVPwK6J1Pb6/s400/B77BA719-6747-4D19-99EC-DC9E2BD600CCB9361A85-9F30-468C-9DAE-5B26EA0663A4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<h1 data-reactid=".5.1.0.0.2.1.0.0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span data-reactid=".5.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Erica receives the Maddison Scott Award, an honor given to outstanding assistant teachers. We see Erica change lives every day and are thrilled to recognize her hard work!</span></h1>
Blind Children's Learning Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01629156983189934835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550588614922643401.post-37094985634128829782016-01-17T12:50:00.006-08:002016-01-17T13:33:13.955-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/blindchildrenlc/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QSkoU1bSBwLLdJwxp776XOMUmgzGes7HZEQIeXzgRP8MxQ82Qxgsz77v2yppnXkoFR7P17Tbuv7zVgy5nekPnRL4k3l_ptXvbvFq6soo4VxWSwTUEs0YUt1lUCJAj6O_79v1DSRWSRXy/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-01-17+at+12.49.25+PM.png" width="400" /></a><span id="goog_818554737"></span><span id="goog_818554738"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a></div>
<h1 data-reactid=".4.1.0.0.2.1.0.0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span data-reactid=".4.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span data-reactid=".4.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.0" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Reaching new heights every day...even on a Monday when every step feels like climbing a mountain!</span><a data-reactid=".4.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.$text0/=1$entity0/=010" href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/physicaltherapy/" style="border: 0px; color: #125688; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">#physicaltherapy</a></span></h1>
<br />Blind Children's Learning Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01629156983189934835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550588614922643401.post-4103423627210130152016-01-17T12:47:00.001-08:002016-01-29T09:33:47.508-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/blindchildrenlc/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Iei4i4NJF6jUjcMYIFzIXjvKfEodewRz0lq8pWRg_P4omOI-4zBN-pYHOSiYEjli1HAlItUvWPuToZxH457sXzc40_Slt_5OCZROfhBxyQ6Dh-7kfmohl8Y8IeoECCaf-hvIvfdkayXs/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-01-17+at+12.45.45+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
Blind Children's Learning Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01629156983189934835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550588614922643401.post-22650037391378696142016-01-17T12:45:00.003-08:002016-01-29T09:33:55.170-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/blindchildrenlc/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnp_eA2lNAq1JE09y7H0MP95wz4flrd5nHC1HMNzLpBeQ-jOc8wpntjqf9KRqCapDWd__PueNEX1KLRXJDpQX_dzVg5Oevgm_xVRtQUvvhm9Q25GqEunIyrCOpqB_eDOU2KVPzxcCUetC9/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-01-17+at+12.43.12+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<h1 data-reactid=".1.1.0.0.2.1.0.0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span data-reactid=".1.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span data-reactid=".1.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.0" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">With all the rain and storms šØ keeping us indoors, a </span><a data-reactid=".1.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.$text0/=1$entity0/=010" href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/tbt/" style="border: 0px; color: #125688; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">#tbt</a><span data-reactid=".1.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.2" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> to our time with </span><a data-reactid=".1.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.$text0/=1$entity1/=010" href="https://www.instagram.com/makapoaquatics/" style="border: 0px; color: #125688; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">@makapoaquatics</a><span data-reactid=".1.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.4" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> is so, so necessary.</span></span></h1>
<br />Blind Children's Learning Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01629156983189934835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550588614922643401.post-14601344439086743772016-01-06T19:11:00.002-08:002016-01-17T13:36:02.604-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.riteaid.com/wellness-with-plenti/programs/kidcents?returnTo=aHR0cHM6Ly9raWRjZW50cy5yaXRlYWlkLmNvbS9yYV9hcGkucGhwP2FjdGlvbj1lbnJvbGw=" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ03fpQN9YTFQQPBnzfNuqknVGhJQNSGmJNWSmGF3ZH3sdiBamozQJ-DogErn6Waf6oIQ_xGBeZFuGoEBmSmHCKIm3mae_QnlgoIkXosfLTVy4YFJUwAH50Mwp30VO8KCmyptSV4_3dwbO/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-01-17+at+1.34.51+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; text-align: center;">
<b>RiteAid Gives Blind Children Independence</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; text-align: justify;">
Read about how Rite Aid is giving back to our children. You can help, too! Just follow these steps:</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-top: 6px;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 19.32px;">-Go to </span><a href="https://www.riteaid.com/wellness-with-plenti/programs/kidcents?returnTo=aHR0cHM6Ly9raWRjZW50cy5yaXRlYWlkLmNvbS9yYV9hcGkucGhwP2FjdGlvbj1lbnJvbGw%3D" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; line-height: 19.32px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.riteaid.com/wellness-with-plā¦/programs/kidcentsā¦</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 19.32px;">-Sign up for the Wellness+ with Plenti program</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 19.32px;">-Select Blind Children's Learning Center as your charity of choice to round-up when you make RiteAid purchases</span></div>
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<br />Blind Children's Learning Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01629156983189934835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550588614922643401.post-32553561599004198312016-01-06T19:07:00.002-08:002016-01-29T09:34:11.332-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOFtphErQjmZwlcDQqTBXbVaoMy_RO81CXaaUbUskRQ7eIiN0gFgsQCR4EbHwYxHpO2zbOAVOK5tquUXjlCmmCVQqtT0euXKinqTr0dNJjy2mHB_7DmMmKd-bHlruafzsvKucGJWKTof6/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-01-06+at+6.54.14+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOFtphErQjmZwlcDQqTBXbVaoMy_RO81CXaaUbUskRQ7eIiN0gFgsQCR4EbHwYxHpO2zbOAVOK5tquUXjlCmmCVQqtT0euXKinqTr0dNJjy2mHB_7DmMmKd-bHlruafzsvKucGJWKTof6/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-01-06+at+6.54.14+PM.png" width="318" /></a></div>
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From December 10, 2015: <a data-reactid=".f.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.$text0/=1$entity0/=010" href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/volunteer/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #0d3c5f; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">#Volunteer</a><span data-reactid=".f.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.1" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Junior Troop </span><a data-reactid=".f.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.$text0/=1$entity1/=010" href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/2482/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #125688; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">#2482</a><span data-reactid=".f.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.3" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> stopped by to prep our food drive (extended to next Friday!) and create multi-sensory crafts for the children!</span></div>
<br />Blind Children's Learning Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01629156983189934835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550588614922643401.post-39431735299580536282016-01-06T19:06:00.000-08:002016-01-29T09:35:23.784-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTIda8oqH0MlEqJFOHgm0z2NU1Yhv7sCTKnDSjyO6IjJtY4sblT23vTedyZrcuVHAH2-dV2LxqhpoGB56nt0npqUxqFkOPyWk7dqVsS9Se4T2abjfPA2-3pS78_fJMtJrmP1qQu0m09xd/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-01-06+at+6.54.59+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTIda8oqH0MlEqJFOHgm0z2NU1Yhv7sCTKnDSjyO6IjJtY4sblT23vTedyZrcuVHAH2-dV2LxqhpoGB56nt0npqUxqFkOPyWk7dqVsS9Se4T2abjfPA2-3pS78_fJMtJrmP1qQu0m09xd/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-01-06+at+6.54.59+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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From December 5, 2015: <span data-reactid=".e.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We loved having </span><a data-reactid=".e.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.$text0/=1$entity0/=010" href="https://www.instagram.com/juniorleague_oc/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #125688; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">@juniorleague_oc</a><span data-reactid=".e.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.2" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> out last night to put the Center in holiday overload. Thank you! šššš</span></div>
<br />Blind Children's Learning Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01629156983189934835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550588614922643401.post-65599072106928838472016-01-06T19:04:00.003-08:002016-01-29T09:34:37.758-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZW66pDuh4Lj1KqLlV6-DN-_6tyJeeUTe_g3YzJzoVxpGVr9xDBc7lXCDtmCKRCjihtz0GsW9uJ3QTowoeecaL1gzH3NqKSJKkVQAAgaRS4bRoZIciuWVYiHVEA5MkJDqV-_hBNFUUHUu/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-01-06+at+6.55.35+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZW66pDuh4Lj1KqLlV6-DN-_6tyJeeUTe_g3YzJzoVxpGVr9xDBc7lXCDtmCKRCjihtz0GsW9uJ3QTowoeecaL1gzH3NqKSJKkVQAAgaRS4bRoZIciuWVYiHVEA5MkJDqV-_hBNFUUHUu/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-01-06+at+6.55.35+PM.png" width="326" /></a></div>
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From October 2015: <span data-reactid=".d.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">One of the many great things about our after school Youth Mentoring Program: reunions. Audrey and her Kindergarten teacher Chris embrace for the first time since graduation. We hear Audrey is applying all the tools she learned here to excel in her mainstream first grade class. How's that for</span><a data-reactid=".d.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.$text0/=1$entity0/=010" href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/destinationindependence/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #125688; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">#DestinationIndependence</a><span data-reactid=".d.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.2" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">?</span></div>
<br />Blind Children's Learning Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01629156983189934835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550588614922643401.post-39135381994860669952016-01-06T19:03:00.004-08:002016-01-29T09:35:12.349-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR42vYe476woEh7mghHMmQvI7hmoYGXjDu-oOvd1pTJdnURCSewyCbsvsiqIuhUw2os69zGeEsKAUc5rJrvcdv6LFvGZGRMaiVa0M9lZwUZplvL-OstFi4cXTOoabap1ki9a6ya4mE60bo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-01-06+at+6.57.31+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR42vYe476woEh7mghHMmQvI7hmoYGXjDu-oOvd1pTJdnURCSewyCbsvsiqIuhUw2os69zGeEsKAUc5rJrvcdv6LFvGZGRMaiVa0M9lZwUZplvL-OstFi4cXTOoabap1ki9a6ya4mE60bo/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-01-06+at+6.57.31+PM.png" width="318" /></a></div>
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From August 2015: <span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;">OC Kickboxing and Martial Arts </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;">was absolutely incredible teaching the kids about mixed martial arts and respect during summer camp!! šŖ</span></div>
<br />Blind Children's Learning Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01629156983189934835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550588614922643401.post-29527996216663801542016-01-06T19:02:00.004-08:002016-01-17T13:36:50.006-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Uw0e6FhHlPGo0S4FGDVxHvYm8ms_ISibtyMR38AipgXX2LkLrFRqyFWHVp_30OE2obvJYNJjQZXmopGpne50M3M-WgIv95al6dc9WOczd4aIgr_yiuRGYaBOOja93HzIQ8BhmV59wb-s/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-01-06+at+6.56.58+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Uw0e6FhHlPGo0S4FGDVxHvYm8ms_ISibtyMR38AipgXX2LkLrFRqyFWHVp_30OE2obvJYNJjQZXmopGpne50M3M-WgIv95al6dc9WOczd4aIgr_yiuRGYaBOOja93HzIQ8BhmV59wb-s/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-01-06+at+6.56.58+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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From August 2015: <span data-reactid=".b.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Thank you so much to The Rinks o</span><span data-reactid=".b.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.2" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">f Anaheim Ice for providing our children a thrilling sensory experience!! It was a truly special day.</span></div>
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<br />Blind Children's Learning Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01629156983189934835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550588614922643401.post-74988188003519385492015-04-14T17:12:00.001-07:002015-04-14T17:12:19.938-07:00Jack's Story <div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
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<b><i><span style="color: #632523; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #632523; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Destination - Independence Walk Founder - Jaimie Haver Shares From Her Heart</span></i></b></h3>
<b><i><span style="color: #632523; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #632523; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b><i><span style="color: #632523; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #632523; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">What did you first
feel when you learned Jack was visually impaired?</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #632523; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #632523; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;"> </span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jack was three months old when we
learned he was going to be visually impaired; we were still numb from watching
him struggle to stay alive that the visual impairment diagnosis didn't strike us as a
challenge until he was closer to a year old and wasn't hitting his developmental milestones. We then started to experience a grocery list of unproductive
feelings, mostly sadness for the struggles that we thought Jack would have to
experience for the rest of his life. As parents we concerned how people would treat him as special vs. just
a normal kid that was visually impaired and really the crux of emotions was the
uncertainty of what this diagnosis meant for his future happiness and
productivity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #632523; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #632523; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">How did you learn about Blind Childrenās Learning Center</span></i></b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">?</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> We learned about Blind Children's Learning Center from the Orange County Regional Center. When they referred us to the Center, we did think they were nuts, because Jack was legally blind but he wasn't totally blind. We did not put much weight or value on the services offered
and did not reach out to the Center until Jack was nearly one.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">The frustrating thing is my husband, Darren, grew up just a few miles away from the Center. We've lived in Orange County our whole lives and we had never heard of this place. Albeit we did not have a prior need, but nonetheless, you would have thought that an organization that had been around 50 years would have been known by at least one of our friends, or parents' friends or even the doctors or ophthalmologists that work in Orange County. This still gets me a little heated...maybe I shouldn't have started this topic! </span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #632523; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #632523; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Can you tell me what your first feeling was when he began receiving
services in-home or in the Early Childhood Center program?</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #632523; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #632523; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdt1wqx_jIgRx4eWPPduw_jyR6TzgPnpFZQqA1xaA6VGBJ_SAF_ZPYQHobQwn3nlwgW_4vD67WbUe6EILqT0vRO4lc7TnClm9_l7qBwcndKJft7gCs8WLAP2XHR_YCqihg1xm-6SoG4PhC/s1600/Jack+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdt1wqx_jIgRx4eWPPduw_jyR6TzgPnpFZQqA1xaA6VGBJ_SAF_ZPYQHobQwn3nlwgW_4vD67WbUe6EILqT0vRO4lc7TnClm9_l7qBwcndKJft7gCs8WLAP2XHR_YCqihg1xm-6SoG4PhC/s1600/Jack+3.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When
Jack started receiving services in-home, we still did not grasp the value of
what was being provided. It wasn't until after the first several
visits that I realized the therapy was as much for Jack as it was for me.
They taught me how to engage Jack through sound and touch vs. visual cues that
I observed from other moms. Christine (in-home infant specialist) kept encouraging us to visit the
Center ā she described all the services we were taking Jack to outside the home
could be done at the Center by trained (Visual Impairment) VI specialists. Being the
ridiculous parents we are, we thought she was nuts ā Jack was not blind,
therefore, he would not be going. When we finally went for a tour of the
Center, watched kids like Jack tear through the playground and have fun doing
therapy, we made the transition. <span style="background-color: white;"> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Jackās world opened up and our lives changed forever</span>.</span>
He started attending classes when he was nearly three. At that time he was not talking, eating
solid foods or socializing with other toddlers. Within three months, he
said Mama, ate a banana and cried when it was time to leave to come home.
It was AWESOME. Our first real life parenting experiences with a child
that cried leaving when it was time to leave a party ā that is what his day was
like ā playing in the Occupational Therapy (OT) room, taking walks in the community, playing with
paint or pudding ā life was a party!<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODbq95NjwoVx9f_WAUulGvZtlO_9DGrhOwDs9gAvQpXipY39eSqmfnvr9zRH5Jha8lvECUEJTGu9O8EPqFfcCQJFN5OTRO02F2a5VPTTV_yxmZL8E-Rz87l4QuYWBxIAdISaggWddiT8B/s1600/image+2+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODbq95NjwoVx9f_WAUulGvZtlO_9DGrhOwDs9gAvQpXipY39eSqmfnvr9zRH5Jha8lvECUEJTGu9O8EPqFfcCQJFN5OTRO02F2a5VPTTV_yxmZL8E-Rz87l4QuYWBxIAdISaggWddiT8B/s1600/image+2+(2).jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <b><span style="color: #632523; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #632523; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">What are Jackās goals/ambitions now?</span></b><span style="color: #632523; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #632523; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jackās goals and ambitions are
probably similar to every 15-year-old boy ā play as much basketball as
possible; have fun with friends and thenā¦apply as little effort as possible to
get good enough grades for his parents to not ground him forever! Our
expectations for Jack are the same as every parent ā earn a great education,
build a career that he is proud of and pay as many taxes as possible</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">! Additionally, we want Jack to
always remember, that if not for the skills he learned and the friends he made
at Blind Childrenās Learning Center, his life may have been dramatically
different. We hope that he will be as grateful for Blind Childrenās
Learning Center as we are.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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Blind Children's Learning Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01629156983189934835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550588614922643401.post-34585669194570461722014-02-06T10:53:00.000-08:002014-02-06T11:08:51.263-08:00OneOC's "Day of Service" Project Benefits Blind Children's Learning Center<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAneKGWaiVVFOgYe3TGLv33jqalMdz1YnEKViC8NrPy5j9Zq5Mlw5w3Jc1NhnOdG8t8-fOUBDNfkkMgn3IC6oCQbQPy-wT15IwQAKU627xkA0nCA4Wo9AvcK9lJKBSedq-XwSe_J6cFeB/s1600/IMG_4932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAneKGWaiVVFOgYe3TGLv33jqalMdz1YnEKViC8NrPy5j9Zq5Mlw5w3Jc1NhnOdG8t8-fOUBDNfkkMgn3IC6oCQbQPy-wT15IwQAKU627xkA0nCA4Wo9AvcK9lJKBSedq-XwSe_J6cFeB/s1600/IMG_4932.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<em><b>"If you could taste, touch, hear and see freedom, what would it taste, feel, sound and look like?"</b></em></div>
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This is the question AmeriCorps Member Chanel Bradley asked the Center teachers. Using their responses, she worked with <a href="http://ww2.cox.com/aboutus/home.cox" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Cox Communications</span></a> and <a href="http://www.ccc.ca.gov/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">California Conservation Corps</span></a> to create "Senses of Freedom," one of <a href="http://www.oneoc.org/news/oneocs-15th-annual-day-of-service-honors-dr-martin-luther-king-jr/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">OneOC's Day of Service projects honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. Day</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ17hsgumb1RIce18DXJJ4haJ2D43azxVNVADCO7UT27EYVMl88Eq7GYohqBKDCf7aSGtbk6qW1tZeQOt3p9crPJn-a4d88GCnPv338pSwBST61t7iQaLD72gpJXyOYhMda3Zt40dzdqUu/s1600/IMG_4955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ17hsgumb1RIce18DXJJ4haJ2D43azxVNVADCO7UT27EYVMl88Eq7GYohqBKDCf7aSGtbk6qW1tZeQOt3p9crPJn-a4d88GCnPv338pSwBST61t7iQaLD72gpJXyOYhMda3Zt40dzdqUu/s1600/IMG_4955.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a>Sensory-enriched installations were created on campus for our children to learn about their surroundings and empower their sense of freedom and independence.</div>
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During the Civil Rights Movement, uplifting music was used to inspire and encourage participants to persevere through the struggle for freedom. During "Sense of Sound," our children listened and danced to songs from the Movement.<br />
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At "Sense of Touch," our children dipped their little hands into gooey paint to make hand prints for the wall display. Meanwhile, the volunteers had to avoid being canvasses for their artwork!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxx5agNfuUa9PSpV1jb4Tm5TT7odfX6LW8j3-zmx1ZdrZ3KXUzww3G7YjR6Rh8XH3HlYLSt3-NaXpo2pzwJ5o2KMlVo2NN7aq7i6qs-_OL1MMUroB8kh_0XImjgimawVsZ6l46p7b9kjCq/s1600/DSC_1261-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxx5agNfuUa9PSpV1jb4Tm5TT7odfX6LW8j3-zmx1ZdrZ3KXUzww3G7YjR6Rh8XH3HlYLSt3-NaXpo2pzwJ5o2KMlVo2NN7aq7i6qs-_OL1MMUroB8kh_0XImjgimawVsZ6l46p7b9kjCq/s1600/DSC_1261-L.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a>Rodger Pitts, a <a href="http://ww2.cox.com/aboutus/home.cox" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Cox Communications</span></a> volunteer, displays the children's hand prints around Dr. King's quote, "We will be able to join hands and sing... free at last, free at last!"</div>
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Our students also enjoyed the sweet taste of freedom with sugary goodies during "Sense of Taste".</div>
Blind Children's Learning Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01629156983189934835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550588614922643401.post-54573512809518178002014-02-05T16:27:00.000-08:002014-02-05T16:27:55.948-08:00Child Care Safari<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Teacher Miss Jenny wanted to give the kids in afternoon Child Care a hands on experience learning about animals in the wild. <br />
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She invited staff to join her in creating a <br />
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Armed with binoculars and their imaginations, Miss Jenny led our little ones on a safari in search of lions, tigers, elephants and any other wild animals they could find on the playground.<br />
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To hear the jungle noise staff carried recorded sounds as the children ventured out on their exploration.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><br />Their first encounter was with a friendly lion. </span></div>
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After a walk to the playground the adventurers piled into their safari jeep in search of more animals.<br />
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Their next discovery was a mommy monkey and her baby. <br />
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Safari's can make you hungry. So it was nice to have a banana handy during the adventure. <br />
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<a href="http://www.brightvisions.org/" target="_blank">Bright Visions Early Childhood Center</a> provides morning and afternoon child care for children ages six weeks to six years old.<br />
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Hours<br />
Monday - Friday<br />
7:30am - 9:00am<br />
3:00pm - 6:00pm<br />
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Call 714.573.8888 for more information.Blind Children's Learning Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01629156983189934835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550588614922643401.post-19735327856751485452013-04-30T15:41:00.000-07:002013-04-30T15:41:24.004-07:002013 Destination-Independence Ambassador Family - The Blatchfords
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFXTeUB0pAH-PaH8bUXfMZT5TW_JhYf1uluVrmjhMU1a-22VHxTJZ3XG_R46Q4L5UOUdoRKTm4hM8-Yfv3wmEtugTIXaXVXDFyRKag5w9QGfStjCiEdg8IgikCvzxed_X_f9pxeUnigp_/s1600/Blatchford-1050-SM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFXTeUB0pAH-PaH8bUXfMZT5TW_JhYf1uluVrmjhMU1a-22VHxTJZ3XG_R46Q4L5UOUdoRKTm4hM8-Yfv3wmEtugTIXaXVXDFyRKag5w9QGfStjCiEdg8IgikCvzxed_X_f9pxeUnigp_/s400/Blatchford-1050-SM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L to R: Sam, Rory and Ben Blatchford</td></tr>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p>Rambunctious, exuberant and charming are adjectives that describe triplets, Sam, Rory and Ben Blatchford. At 15 years old these young men have big plans for their futures.</o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p>Born premature, each with different degrees of vision loss. Sam has low vision, Rory is legally blind and Ben is blind. As preschoolers, the boys attended the Center's onsite Early Childhood Center where hey acquired the skills to grow to become the strong independent youth they are today.</o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p>Their parents, Ed and Laura have never accepted limitations on their sons capabilities. Older sister, Alex, has always had faith in her brothers. Together they support the boys' spirit of adventure.</o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p>Their current career aspirations are exciting. Ben's goal is to work in product development at Microsoft or Google. Sam as set his sights on sports broadcasting or sports marketing. Rory is working hard towards his goal of being a professional golfer and with his love of music he dreams of entertaining audiences as a singer.</o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p>Their life stories have just begun. What will they accomplish when they graduate from high school, college...? Whatever their paths Sam, Rory and Ben choose, it is evident their future will be amazing. </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p>On Saturday, May 11 at Blind Children's Learning Center the Blatchford Family will be kicking-off the 9th Annual Destination-Independence 5K Walk. Walk start time is 9am. <a href="http://blindkids.org/news-a-events/5k-walk" target="_blank">Click here to see the event schedule</a>. </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p><a href="http://blindkidswalk.kintera.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=1051629&lis=1&kntae1051629=DCE014CB0BE54403952CD0684C940E3C&team=5505797" target="_blank">Click here to donate and support Team Blatchford.</a> </o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAxGOAWqSm-_f7frzuNkcm7DIrAcRHe-_0nDnbJXu_1gnCdnkKaJ3UIbtVSXr4MR_rmHdHv9aZxXp66JIJH-xiZXK5N06OVr7KQfJ1v_306nusk6hIGlKmesPGn87lZXre02LiMQidOWO/s1600/Blatchford-1014-E+-+Resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAxGOAWqSm-_f7frzuNkcm7DIrAcRHe-_0nDnbJXu_1gnCdnkKaJ3UIbtVSXr4MR_rmHdHv9aZxXp66JIJH-xiZXK5N06OVr7KQfJ1v_306nusk6hIGlKmesPGn87lZXre02LiMQidOWO/s400/Blatchford-1014-E+-+Resized.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Blatchford Family<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Blind Children's Learning Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01629156983189934835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550588614922643401.post-58385079918818601322012-12-18T10:17:00.000-08:002016-02-03T11:26:57.139-08:00Caston's Story<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwVSn_GOerZ5zPWWQbaKQzoA856fWqF3LbC1JsTGPJ44prQjLN1nthhTM4fe2qxCJXKuoWhtgHmklxwZj8kmuHKGbY3kzUFtzNs3Up2DkPOxFC6PqNskJxSbJ1yi6c_75rjsfFo1Iqzru/s1600/11612+505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwVSn_GOerZ5zPWWQbaKQzoA856fWqF3LbC1JsTGPJ44prQjLN1nthhTM4fe2qxCJXKuoWhtgHmklxwZj8kmuHKGbY3kzUFtzNs3Up2DkPOxFC6PqNskJxSbJ1yi6c_75rjsfFo1Iqzru/s640/11612+505.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Caston with his mom, Teal, after attending a<br /> Parent and Me class at <br />Blind Children's Learning Center</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">ā</span></i></b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When Caston was born, doctors
questioned what my child would be able to do and told me not to be
optimistic. The specialists and therapists
at Blind Childrenās Learning Center saw his potential. They are passionate about helping
children. They gave us hope,ā said Teal.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Castonās
family has much to celebrate this holiday season. Their two- year-old little boy has
accomplished great feats in the past nine months, thanks to Blind Childrenās
Learning Center.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At six months
old Caston was diagnosed with Optic Nerve Hypoplasia (ONH), a congenital
condition characterized by the underdevelopment of the optic nerve and the
brain. Teal and Chaz, Castonās parents,
described their little one as gazing upward, not responsive and his body was
tense. āHe was like a tight baby ball.ā<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Castonās
family needed help. Providing early intervention to children with ONH is
critical. Their brains are still in the process
of re-wiring and reconnecting. With the
help of their family Teal, Chaz and Caston relocated from across the country so
Caston could attend the Center. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The familyās
adventure began:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Ā·<span style="line-height: normal;"> B</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">lind Childrenās Learning Center staff worked closely with Teal and Chaz in their home, answering
their questions and helping them through the challenges. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Ā·</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Therapists
worked with Caston to help him learn to position his body and taught him to sit
up. They worked on his sensory and feeding issues. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Ā·</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Caston
was introduced to a light box and other assessment toys which stimulated his
vision. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Ā·</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Teal
and Caston started attending āParent and Meā classes at Blind Childrenās
Learning Center and share a common bond with other families served by the
Center.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After just nine
months of early intervention for his visual impairment, Caston is no longer
limited. Heās learned to track peopleās
movements. His little tight body has
relaxed. He stretches and reaches out
with his hands open. Soon Caston will be
entering our Early Childhood Center onsite preschool. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br />Blind Children's Learning Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01629156983189934835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550588614922643401.post-55229202099178293242012-10-31T17:45:00.000-07:002012-10-31T17:45:50.590-07:00Special Honors for Board Member Peggy Blaising<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3j9jk1jOPBl9TZIkSMBVvydnKoNuftEc_Pe5dAR9ZJTGrQ6w6H2UfbBwP4tNIkdfggi4RKV8z9Oje9FT7dQkBecmQrMw9sGBYM-LzfgywxMhdLHXUtOLWahOkCfDUjz2Bfziz6ULvaM0/s1600/PeggyBlaisingpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3j9jk1jOPBl9TZIkSMBVvydnKoNuftEc_Pe5dAR9ZJTGrQ6w6H2UfbBwP4tNIkdfggi4RKV8z9Oje9FT7dQkBecmQrMw9sGBYM-LzfgywxMhdLHXUtOLWahOkCfDUjz2Bfziz6ULvaM0/s320/PeggyBlaisingpic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As Blind Childrenās Learning Center celebrates 50 years of
serving blind, visually impaired and deaf/blind children we also celebrate the
countless volunteers that generously give of their most valuable asset ā their
time ā to support the Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One āilluminating forceā is Peggy Blaising.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the past 25 years Peggy has served on the
board of directors of Blind Childrenās Learning Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has led the Parent Professional Advisory
Council in addition to helping direct new program initiatives. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peggy is a strong fundraiser and has raised
thousands of dollars for the Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Through the years personally she has donated more than $45,000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Peggy doesnāt limit her volunteer work to administration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has served as a volunteer Teacherās
Assistant in the classrooms. She is deeply admired and respected by the staff
of Blind Childrenās Learning Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">āI have worked with
Peggy since 1989.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was a Special
Education teacher and gave that wonderful professional input as a board
member.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we first moved to Vanderlip
Avenue her class was next door at Guin Foss Elementary School.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She would bring her students over to āmentorā
our children - - what a wonderful role model she is for any teacher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a volunteer in the classroom, her love for
the school, the children and the families just emanates from her. Through thick
and thin, she always has such a wonderful positive approach to everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is an honor to know her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her leadership in the community and in her
church is such a benefit for all connected with Blind Childrenās Learning
Center. āā Kathy Goodspeed, Former Early Childhood Center Director 1989 - 2007<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">āIāve known Peggy
since she first came to Blind Childrenās Learning Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her love for the children has always been in
the forefront.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has supported the
Center with her service in the classroom, on the program committee and on the
board through the good times and the bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her strong faith shines in all she does. Itās been a pleasure knowing
her all these years.ā - Linn Morgan, Former Director of Community Relations
1977-2009<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">āI have many fun
memories of Peggy when she volunteered in my classroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially our adventures in the Centerās
12-seater van we called the ābeast.ā<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When we took the kids on field trips, Peggy would sit in the back to
help with the children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It never failed,
when Peggy was sitting in the back of the van we would always hit every bump or
dip in the road (of course it wasnāt my driving) that would send her popping up
in her seat almost into the roof of the van.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We shared many laughs over those adventures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peggy was a dependable volunteer and I
appreciated her willingness to share her expertise.ā<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- Elayne Strong., Former Director of Youth
Outreach 1991-2007<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">āTogether in 1987,
Peggy and I began our journey at Blind Childrenās Learning Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a special education teacher her love for
our children was very apparent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I admire
her patience and dedication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved to
watch her interact with our children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She is an incredible member of our board and has been instrumental in
keeping the Centerās mission alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
knowledge of the nonprofit world is extensive and she brings this expertise to
our Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is a true friend and an
outstanding asset to our Center.ā ā Sharon Mitchael<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Former Coordinator of Youth Services
1987-2011</span></i></div>
Blind Children's Learning Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01629156983189934835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550588614922643401.post-72818289948243118332012-07-18T16:39:00.000-07:002013-03-15T16:50:56.225-07:00Interveners Connect Children Who Are Deaf-Blind to the World<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Did you know for a typical child with the ability to see and
hear, the largest part of their learning process occurs naturally from the flow
of sensory information?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next they learn from listening to another
person teach or watching an individual present information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The smallest part of their learning comes
from hands-on experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For a child who is deaf-blind, the process is completely
inverted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The major part of their learning
is from direct hands-on experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Being unable to hear and see eliminates a major source of sensory
information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since most educational
settings are not designed to provide intensive direct, hands-on learning this poses
a unique challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMFGk16NUqXU_l1uVZvZVJyq6dIcQ0HePs4ZQ6goJn7MmdgSMT1UEgfEpHZ7qdR-frQ2-_9u5g1JvXcrVjRzVxLbq1gMlzoWBP_Az_rWo0-OVRub8SLNGjD7ZJ61pvtLO3nptwTC2SZpo/s1600/Trish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMFGk16NUqXU_l1uVZvZVJyq6dIcQ0HePs4ZQ6goJn7MmdgSMT1UEgfEpHZ7qdR-frQ2-_9u5g1JvXcrVjRzVxLbq1gMlzoWBP_Az_rWo0-OVRub8SLNGjD7ZJ61pvtLO3nptwTC2SZpo/s320/Trish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At Blind Childrenās Learning Center, we are able to provide
this distinctive environment for children who are deaf-blind because of the talent and
expertise of staff member, Tricia Houlihan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tricia is one of the first individuals in the state of California to
have the role of an intervener for children who are deaf-blind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has created a program at the Center that
has become a model across the state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tricia has had the opportunity to share her knowledge at the
California Transcribers and Educators for the Blind and Visually Impaired
(CTEBVI) conferences and to train many teachers, specialists and Para educators
who were referred to her by California Deaf-Blind Services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">However, Tricia will tell you that her greatest fulfillment
has been working with the children directly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The following is a story Tricia shared.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjWJrLuIWA3JGaoNNAwy9-CuKP6p74_m60nOz322tTfdOC4hidIy8-wIlwJzqkZJPoyWxvmQFDNBIA8PTCJUnwm5pW-mA_wRGfyapagWQ-3-TRXFxvQDBkVtpGyBeLxqK_R0mrwQHj6JM/s1600/news-trish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjWJrLuIWA3JGaoNNAwy9-CuKP6p74_m60nOz322tTfdOC4hidIy8-wIlwJzqkZJPoyWxvmQFDNBIA8PTCJUnwm5pW-mA_wRGfyapagWQ-3-TRXFxvQDBkVtpGyBeLxqK_R0mrwQHj6JM/s320/news-trish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">āOne of my most memorable
students was a little boy whom I had worked with from ages two to six.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mother brought him from Korea to the
United States for an eye surgery that was unsuccessful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were referred to Blind Childrenās
Learning Center where we discovered his hearing loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Immediately, we
incorporated a total communication system into his day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was diligent in facilitating his system for
him and was fortunate to witness the incredible change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He went from a very frightened little boy who
wanted to rock and have his mother hold him constantly, to a very sociable
child eager to explore and get to know his world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the age of five, we discovered that he was
eligible for a cochlear implant which would enable him to hear for the first
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He became the first five-year-old
deaf-blind child to receive an implant at the UCLA Medical Center in Los
Angeles. <o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had the amazing
opportunity to witness him hear his motherās voice for the first time. It was a
humbling experience Iāll never forget. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Three years ago, he
came by to visit the Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was
still going through auditory verbal training, so he was not quite speaking
yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it was obvious that he
remembered his time at the Center and I knew he remembered me by the enormous
smile and hug I received. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wonderful experiences
like this have caused me to focus my efforts to continue improving my skills as
an intervener so I can continue to help children who are deaf-blind connect with their
environment.ā<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
Blind Children's Learning Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01629156983189934835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550588614922643401.post-14836822977415559322012-04-05T11:58:00.002-07:002012-04-05T12:04:34.945-07:00AmeriCorps VIP Fellows Visit Blind Children's Learning Center!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIP Fellows Luis Alberto and Nancy Govea getting in some sand box time!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">To celebrate AmeriCorps week, which was celebrated by <a href="http://www.americorps.gov/" target="_blank">AmeriCorps</a> members around the country March 12-16, the ten VIP Fellows placed in Orange County joined Miriam Levine, the current Fellow at <a href="http://www.blindkids.org/" target="_blank">Blind Childrenās Learning Center</a>, in volunteering with our students for a fun-filled morning. Participating in All School Music, recess and assisting with lunch, the Fellows were an instant hit! Although only slotted to spend two hours here, the Fellows had to be dragged away after three. </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luis Alberto enjoying recess!</td></tr>
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</div>Luis Alberto, placed at <a href="http://www.bgctustin.org/">The Boys and Girls Club of Tustin</a>, explained, āThe kids were very loving and welcoming, making it a lot more difficult to leave. The best part is making the kids smile. When that happens, it feels like the sun is coming out, shinning on everyone and letting them know itās going to be OK. There was one particular boy who got really attached, making it impossible to leave with his "why" questions. I had an amazing time and wished I could of seen more the kidās daily interactions and be a lot more involved. It just means I have to come back and volunteer in the future." <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MNWdlVovQQc1jo7CxrHUBKOEG2LEb3SgpcXLAEJnVB3MFu0-KZV6KaR06xwnxziLkJ762tvWixp8Edi17L5tyeWRXKBR3IBR5jFA7TzcNLAV-PXvalHPB77tfTDnDeg-EgOE-N7MU0k4/s1600/DSC_9590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MNWdlVovQQc1jo7CxrHUBKOEG2LEb3SgpcXLAEJnVB3MFu0-KZV6KaR06xwnxziLkJ762tvWixp8Edi17L5tyeWRXKBR3IBR5jFA7TzcNLAV-PXvalHPB77tfTDnDeg-EgOE-N7MU0k4/s200/DSC_9590.JPG" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No shortage of smiles for <br />
Nancy Govea!</td></tr>
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</div><div>Nancy Govea, placed at the <a href="http://www.rescuemission.org/MainTabs/Services/VillageofHope.aspx" target="_blank">Orange County Rescue Mission: Village of Hope</a> in Tustin, shared, āThere is nothing more precious in this world than an honest hug or a smile full of love from a child. My soul could not sustain the joy that these children gave me." </div><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoM-PqpgJmqLbQn3nDOCyNCiXf7K45vGMvRCLXG6wpmbB1jaCwrnwq4MxEORaiW95wXR_3HqDwH4TLIdJAwAdiixoVPb-2IuEsaaEgM90byTnYjIOnBEm-fyy5CFv6Fr8Z-Hes-fXx-U0/s1600/DSC_9560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoM-PqpgJmqLbQn3nDOCyNCiXf7K45vGMvRCLXG6wpmbB1jaCwrnwq4MxEORaiW95wXR_3HqDwH4TLIdJAwAdiixoVPb-2IuEsaaEgM90byTnYjIOnBEm-fyy5CFv6Fr8Z-Hes-fXx-U0/s200/DSC_9560.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joanne Lin and a student <br />
rocking the seesaw!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>When asked about her experience working with one of our Kindergarten students, Joanne Lin, placed at the <a href="http://www.theharvestclub.org/">Harvest Club</a> in Huntington Beach, said, "[The student] is six. She is spunky, funny, and fiercely independent. She made up an imaginary spice, 'friggle,' and sprinkled it over her lunch of sausage and rice. She giggled when I exclaimed she put in too much. After a mere five minutes, I forgot she is visually impaired. It's inspiring to learn that these kids may need help, but they are definitely not helpless."<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">In a time when it is easy to see what is wrong with the world, but hard to know what to do about it, Blind Childrenās Learning Center was proud to host these individuals, who are, as the AmeriCorps slogan says, āgetting things done for America.ā</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgfD0s8yjOkn53HW2I-ADVpXX3DhoihXxTev_owE5FgCjSTq4mp3ZD6_8A7mZper_Z8iv1K_l26pt8lcD-ZsgLkTKL8Zu1bgWlKvVevrhh-VtaOnRCSEKZTwjGHxqZSNEUR2RSqQB5Umh/s1600/DSC_9604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgfD0s8yjOkn53HW2I-ADVpXX3DhoihXxTev_owE5FgCjSTq4mp3ZD6_8A7mZper_Z8iv1K_l26pt8lcD-ZsgLkTKL8Zu1bgWlKvVevrhh-VtaOnRCSEKZTwjGHxqZSNEUR2RSqQB5Umh/s200/DSC_9604.JPG" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steele Willison grabs <br />
one more hug! </td></tr>
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</div>In fact, AmeriCorps members have been getting things done since 1993. Formally created under President Clintonās National and Community Service Trust Act, AmeriCorps is comprised of three national service programs that engage Americans in intensive service to meet the nationās critical needs in education, public safety, health and the environment. Through the <a href="http://www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/choose/state_national.asp" target="_blank">State and National</a>, <a href="http://www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/choose/vista.asp" target="_blank">VISTA</a> (Volunteers in Service to America), and <a href="http://www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/choose/nccc.asp" target="_blank">NCCC</a> (National Civilian Community Corps) programs, over 80,000 men and women each year participate in intensive service to address education, poverty, health, disaster relief, and other critical issues, while mobilizing nearly 3 million volunteers for the organizations they serve. Since its creation in 1993, more than 775,000 individuals have served in AmeriCorps, providing more than 1 billion hours of service.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VpALeF72FyPoIYBYuzp1QTVqW-6W3Ku_dH8FHUDoo-25zoHAO4XsPl6-G2m3qevS3asY2EC5IpF4lU-4G57j0kXlSy9U9WBwR6rM6MlAPkwiY6-g7KnPkC288coFscNs2PEzZCbViJUc/s1600/DSC_9603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VpALeF72FyPoIYBYuzp1QTVqW-6W3Ku_dH8FHUDoo-25zoHAO4XsPl6-G2m3qevS3asY2EC5IpF4lU-4G57j0kXlSy9U9WBwR6rM6MlAPkwiY6-g7KnPkC288coFscNs2PEzZCbViJUc/s200/DSC_9603.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelli Norris is all smiles <br />
during lunch!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>This year there are more than 8,500 AmeriCorps members serving in communities across California, over 170 of which are participating in the <a href="http://www.calserves.org/americorps-vip.html">CalSERVES Volunteer Infrastructure Project (VIP)</a>. Created in 2009, VIP Fellows are placed in nonprofits and community organizations, specifically focused on providing services to children and their families, to develop volunteer programs, and engage community members looking to do direct service to their communities. Through the management of <a href="http://www.oneoc.org/">OneOC</a> (formerly Volunteer Center Orange County), there are currently ten Fellows placed in nine nonprofits around Orange County, including one right here at Blind Childrenās Learning Center. <br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sources:</span><br />
<div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/role_impact/index.asp"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/role_impact/index.asp</span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.americorps.gov/about/role_impact/state_profiles_detail.asp?tbl_profiles_state=CA">http://www.americorps.gov/about/role_impact/state_profiles_detail.asp?tbl_profiles_state=CA</a></span></div></div>Blind Children's Learning Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01629156983189934835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550588614922643401.post-62057728050775823732012-03-07T11:27:00.000-08:002012-03-07T11:27:50.415-08:00Blind Children's Learning Center Was the Right Fit for Our Family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wHEs71bRDyFW1PSVMnipj8xd8RHOjkS8Ft4n8v-trkMVowJXsRoGA3rbocmEXWa3aSKvjSKgnBBxNNKTYOP4_OrHXgcKnzgWr1ZrYHJSUe-IBa7DGaXGPyor7Rz_8YbvobdB3xWgSXHg/s1600/Xia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wHEs71bRDyFW1PSVMnipj8xd8RHOjkS8Ft4n8v-trkMVowJXsRoGA3rbocmEXWa3aSKvjSKgnBBxNNKTYOP4_OrHXgcKnzgWr1ZrYHJSUe-IBa7DGaXGPyor7Rz_8YbvobdB3xWgSXHg/s320/Xia.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Tahira Knight-Zaluske treasures her role as a mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her daughter, four-year-old Xia, is her miracle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Born with cerebral palsy and legally blind she is a little bundle of joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Xia is very social and extremely expressive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have the opportunity to meet Xia youāll quickly discover she demands face to face contact, which you instantly give her because she charms you with her fabulous smile and contagious laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Xia loves her class in the Early Childhood Center program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tahira shared,āXia squeals with delight when she knows sheās going to the Center. The interactions with her classmates and teachers have made her stronger. ā <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Although doctorsā diagnosis for Xia have been that she will be totally dependent, Tahira and her husband Walter want their daughter to experience life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still very protective parents they are cautious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their first encounter with Blind Childrenās Learning Center was in the safety of their home through the Infant Family Focus program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next they ventured out participating in the on-site Parent and Me classes held every Friday in the Therapy Services Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>āIād received high recommendations for Blind Childrenās Learning Center from many sources.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After attending the on-site classes I knew the Center was a right fit for our family,ā said Tahira.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>āAny fears we had were relieved by the amazing calmness I witnessed by the teachers and staff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone was loving, kind and generous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Walter and I felt secure in our decision.ā<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Xia now attends preschool classes daily and receives Occupational, Speech and Vision therapies all on site at the Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It could be overwhelming for a parent to schedule and transport their child to multiple locations for all the services their child may need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having everything at the Center relieves a tremendous amount of pressure for parents.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> āWe are so grateful for the team work of all the staff at the Blind Childrenās Learning Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone goes above and beyond to support our family,ā expressed Tahira.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Tahira goes above and beyond in support of Blind Childrenās Learning Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has recently joined the Parents and Professional Advisory Council (PPAC) and is leading the fundraising for Team XYZ at the 8<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> Annual Destination ā Independence 5K Walk on Saturday, May 19. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If youād like to support Tahiraās efforts <a href="http://www.active.com/donate/blindkids2012/TEAMXYZ" target="_blank">click here</a> to donate to Team XYZ.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Read more about Tahira and Xia in the <a href="http://www.ocregister.com/articles/going-248496-day-don.html" target="_blank">Orange County Register</a>. ļ»æ</div>Blind Children's Learning Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01629156983189934835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550588614922643401.post-6631794688409496062011-12-08T15:01:00.000-08:002011-12-08T15:05:35.191-08:00Budget Blinds' Holiday Mission for Blind Children's Learning Center - $20K in 20 Days<div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Matching Gift Opportunityļ»æ</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">In honor of <a href="http://www.budgetblinds.com/" target="_blank">Budget Blinds</a>' 20th Anniversary in the month of December the company is matching your donation to <a href="http://www.blindkids.org/" target="_blank">Blind Children's Learning Center</a>, up to $20,000. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zPibxNhh3iue_bdWOJNi5GU77wIm11dlkH_V0E9zfq8_-ifiq4kn0bNtedk82dTS1K_ioMTL0RTO-noyk3phPYyi1VFwDM0g33SPjFyOmlxP1jJMqq0CgKz25DXtkSydoXi48-NVBAju/s1600/IMG_2147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zPibxNhh3iue_bdWOJNi5GU77wIm11dlkH_V0E9zfq8_-ifiq4kn0bNtedk82dTS1K_ioMTL0RTO-noyk3phPYyi1VFwDM0g33SPjFyOmlxP1jJMqq0CgKz25DXtkSydoXi48-NVBAju/s320/IMG_2147.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">This means your $100 donation will become $200 to help provide visual screenings for our children.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">A $300 donation will become $600 to help provide physical therapy for our children.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">A $500 donation will become $1000 and help provide 10 in-home visits by an Infant Development Specialists. Wow!!!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghguSqnMZxxykRABuPtczjXfNKgozwXweErtxuoWA3mlbFP7OFAvtj3pBiEJ0wDkmQLyEU5OMSjvoR7nwI_enjbqzXDYgEjF9RfUquVgoHx3ChRcMMwUt8hPQRnln9ONQURBedP95kgVjt/s1600/102311+314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghguSqnMZxxykRABuPtczjXfNKgozwXweErtxuoWA3mlbFP7OFAvtj3pBiEJ0wDkmQLyEU5OMSjvoR7nwI_enjbqzXDYgEjF9RfUquVgoHx3ChRcMMwUt8hPQRnln9ONQURBedP95kgVjt/s320/102311+314.JPG" width="320" /></a>"I was truly impressed and excited to see the great work being done at the Center. We're on a mission to raise $20,000 in 20 days so that we can match it." - Todd Jackson, Budget Blinds Chief Operations Officer.</div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="250" width="250"><param name="movie" value="http://widget.chipin.com/widget/id/4a68141e28b9c988"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="event_title" value="Holiday%20Mission"></param><param name="event_desc" value="Budget%20Blinds%20is%20on%20a%20mission%20to%20raise%20%2420K%20in%2020%20days%20for%20Blind%20Children%27s%20Learning%20Center.%20Company%20pledges%20to%20match%20each%20%241%20donated%20to%20the%20Center%20in%20December%20up%20to%20%2420K."></param><param name="color_scheme" value="gray"></param><embed src="http://widget.chipin.com/widget/id/4a68141e28b9c988" flashVars="event_title=Holiday%20Mission&event_desc=Budget%20Blinds%20is%20on%20a%20mission%20to%20raise%20%2420K%20in%2020%20days%20for%20Blind%20Children%27s%20Learning%20Center.%20Company%20pledges%20to%20match%20each%20%241%20donated%20to%20the%20Center%20in%20December%20up%20to%20%2420K.&color_scheme=gray" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowScriptAccess="always" wmode="transparent" width="250" height="250"></embed></object></div>Blind Children's Learning Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01629156983189934835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550588614922643401.post-34881445262865736992011-12-06T00:48:00.000-08:002013-09-05T13:09:50.890-07:00Dreams Do Come True<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZdxQX6RKOz7-peU8OzlitWsYvv4wZ6eT4NSSzaNOxHaIcaN-diXq5Pp2s_OCDKvzkX2QmglnJDvAhKbs4VRRl3IiZf-yjOYulAH9z_BzAtPFY-x7laTeKv3Mshyphenhyphenhxm3qfCDvC0PbpYRy/s1600/dep_show_line_item2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZdxQX6RKOz7-peU8OzlitWsYvv4wZ6eT4NSSzaNOxHaIcaN-diXq5Pp2s_OCDKvzkX2QmglnJDvAhKbs4VRRl3IiZf-yjOYulAH9z_BzAtPFY-x7laTeKv3Mshyphenhyphenhxm3qfCDvC0PbpYRy/s320/dep_show_line_item2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In May 2012 Blind Childrenās Learning Center intern and alumni, Jenny Vincent will celebrate a life milestone ā sheāll graduate from California State University Fullerton with a Bachelor of Science degree in Child and Adolescent Studies with an emphasis in Early Childhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sheās on her way to fulfilling her dream to lead a group home for infants and preschoolers with special education needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Diane, Jennyās mother has already seen one of her dreams for her daughter fulfilled - Independence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At six weeks old a doctor confirmed Dianeās suspicions that Jenny had vision issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jenny was diagnosed with bilateral coloboma, a condition that occurs in about 1 in 10,000 births.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bilateral coloboma<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is caused when a babyās eyes do not develop properly during pregnancy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Immediately, Jenny joined the Centerās Infant Family Focus program and an Infant Development Specialist began weekly in-home sessions for Jenny and her mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEKxrcdmReF8r3QNqsJNfoFN8g5vvpRMBAXSClmd9TxwaKhvFuq2QF1cjOULi2j6IsqVqfQXcZCGB2bjPwPgDnXSCe3lWxuThSoZpiWhJXCjOPhWZ7vRFTe7pVvBDeqecSoeIbVTcIggz/s1600/JennyVincent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEKxrcdmReF8r3QNqsJNfoFN8g5vvpRMBAXSClmd9TxwaKhvFuq2QF1cjOULi2j6IsqVqfQXcZCGB2bjPwPgDnXSCe3lWxuThSoZpiWhJXCjOPhWZ7vRFTe7pVvBDeqecSoeIbVTcIggz/s320/JennyVincent.jpg" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adorable 4-year-old Jenny on the <br />
Blind Children's Learning Center campus.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Visually impaired, Jenny transitioned into the Early Childhood Center when she was six months old. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Jenny learned to walk, Orientation and Mobility Specialists taught her the skills to safely travel in her environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like in any preschool, she learned socialization skills and at the Center her love for reading Braille was born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">āI have wonderful childhood memories of my preschool days at Blind Childrenās Learning Center. Especially my mom joining us on new and exciting field trips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember going to a zoo and petting an elephant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Going ice skating and meeting Mickey Mouse for the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My family could not afford to provide these types of experiences for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Iām grateful to the Center for these fantastic opportunities,ā said Jenny.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When Jenny <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>successfully transferred to her local public school kindergarten at the age of six she didnāt break her ties with the Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She joined the Mentoring and Peer Buddies programs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2007 she began volunteering at the Center and this fall she became an intern in the pre-kindergarten classroom five hours a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>āI love interning at Blind Childrenās Learning Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the greatest experiences has been seeing myself in many of the children and watching them successfully accomplish developmental milestones,ā said Jenny.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jenny is proof that early intervention and specialized education for blind or visually impaired children will empower them to become successful independent young adults.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
Blind Children's Learning Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01629156983189934835noreply@blogger.com