Envisioning Bright Futures

By: Carrie Freitas

Theo rarely made eye contact as an infant. At 16 months old, he didn’t want to walk. As the months went by and more developmental milestones were missed, his mother, Tammy, worried about his future.

At birth, Theo was diagnosed with oculocutaneous albinism type-1 (OCA1), one of the more extreme forms where his eyes, hair and skin have little to no pigment. His vision is both blurry and reduced because of astigmatism and nystagmus, which causes his eyes to move involuntarily from side to side or up and down.

Watching Theo’s younger cousin hit all his milestones with ease filled Tammy with sadness and fear about what life would look like for her son. But when their ophthalmologist referred them to Beyond Blindness, an Orange County-based nonprofit serving children with visual impairments and other disabilities, their journey took an upward turn.

Early Intervention is Crucial

In a child’s first year of life, 90 percent of motor development is driven by vision — making early intervention essential for children in this age group.

Theo was soon enrolled in Beyond Blindness’ Early Intervention program, which supports children from birth to age 5. A range of services, from home-based support and specialized therapy to infant, toddler and preschool classrooms on the Santa Ana campus, help children overcome obstacles and delays caused by visual impairment depending on their specific needs.

Physical and occupational therapy, for example, can target specific areas such as mobility, balance and gross motor skills, while speech therapy can teach adaptive technology or sign language. Multisensory classrooms provide additional specialized support, helping children like Theo to reach new milestones such as playing with toys or wearing his glasses consistently. Children have the opportunity to regularly interact with people outside the home and learn important social skills like making new friends.

Last fall, Beyond Blindness re-launched its inclusive preschool, which offers a play-based curriculum to help children prepare to successfully transition into local schools. Also new this year is Learning Link, a free, drop-in program for parents and children ages 0-5 to build early school-readiness skills.

Providing a Journey of Care

While support at a young age is important in overcoming early obstacles, it’s not the only way Beyond Blindness helps children with visual impairments. Recognizing that each family has a unique journey, the nonprofit takes an integrated approach to care with different entry points based on individual needs.

Some families may benefit from the Education & Enrichment program, which offers one-on-one support for children ages 3-22 at home or in school. Teachers of the Visually Impaired and Orientation & Mobility Specialists travel throughout Orange County to help students meet individual education goals, teach Braille, and gain independent navigation skills.

Programming for this age group doesn’t stop at the end of the school year, either. An inclusive two-week summer camp is a highlight for Beyond Blindness families, giving children an opportunity to experience a wide range of activities. Each day is packed with fun, from immersive arts and crafts to adaptive field trips at top Orange County destinations including Newport Aquatic Center, The Rinks, and Cabrillo Marine Museum.

Beyond Blindness also provides a community of support for the entire family. Parent education and training, counseling and access to a social worker are just a few resources available to caregivers. Tammy and her extended family credit Beyond Blindness’ enrichment events for helping them build a better understanding of Theo’s unique needs, which allowed them to begin creating a “new normal” at home as they reshaped their expectations and mindset to ensure he continues to thrive.

Building More Bright Futures

Reaching a record-breaking 500 children and more than 830 family members last year wasn’t enough for Beyond Blindness. As part of its five-year strategic plan, the nonprofit has set an ambitious goal to serve 2,680 children and family members by the year 2027.

To continue advancing its innovative programming, the nonprofit hosts annual events like the Dr. Frank Villalobos Fall Golf Classic, taking place this year on Oct. 16 at the Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club.

While the golf classic is expected to sell out, other opportunities abound for the Orange County community to show its support. Whether it’s joining the monthly Support Squad, volunteering in a classroom or hosting a corporate work day, every action brings the organization closer to its vision of a world where all children, regardless of abilities, are equipped to live full and rewarding lives.

To get involved with Beyond Blindness, visit: beyondblindness.org.