On October 17, 2019, Young Presidents Organization California Coast (YPO) gathered more than 30 local Orange County executives at the Marriott Irvine Spectrum for a unique opportunity to face their fears, and it was all in support of Blind Children’s Learning Center. Keynote speaker Patrick Sweeney (The Fear Guru) inspired members to identify moments of fear and transform them into moments of opportunity. 

Executives and their spouses then put concept into action by rappelling down the 17-story Marriott Irvine Spectrum. In partnership with Blind Children’s Learning Center, participants celebrated by personally donating over $10,000 to help children with visual impairments and their families in Orange County face their own fears.

Ivo Tjan, CEO of CommerceWest Bank, explained the collaboration: “As YPO members, it is our belief that the world needs better leaders and we strive to make meaningful impacts on lives, businesses, and the world. We had the opportunity to help make an impact by facing fear and rappelling for a good cause. We wanted to support Blind Children’s Learning Center because they help so many families face the fear of the unknown about their child’s visual impairments.”

"We pride the Marriott Irvine Spectrum hotel for being in the center of the action in Orange County, “ said hotel owner Bob Olson, Founder and CEO of R.D. Olson Development. “Bringing YPO and Blind Children's Learning Center together was an additional opportunity to be at the center of innovation, conquering fears, and making a positive difference in the community." 

Thank you, YPO Members, for helping our students and families build brighter futures!

Another big "Thank YOU!" to the golfers, friends and sponsors for supporting students like Jasmin at the Dr. Frank Villalobos Fall Golf Classic on October 14.

The tournament raised more than $86,000 to provide Braille and low vision instruction, white cane mobility training, and individualized academic support to preschool through 12th grade students in Orange County.

In honor of Blindness Awareness Month in October, Mattel recently released Uno Braille. The new edition makes this popular card game more widely accessible for the more than 7 million blind and low-vision Americans in the U.S.

“We are proud to be making UNO more accessible and inclusive to even more families,” said Ray Adler, Global Head of Games at Mattel. The game is being sold at local Target stores.

Zoe is one of the young students we serve in our Global Infant Development program, which has nearly doubled in size in the last few years. Zoe receives weekly services in her home environment to stimulate functional vision and meet important developmental milestones. Her parents, Jackie and Zach, say that BCLC staff members have become "like family" and that early intervention has made "a huge difference to Zoe. We can't imagine where she would be without it."

Take a peek at our live auction package to the stunning Monterey Peninsula. Trip includes three days, two nights at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa; golf at the championship Del Monte Golf Course; and round trip airfare! Estimated value: $2,200.

Exclusive Sponsors
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Golf 'Fore the kids on Monday, October 14!


The tournament will take place on the brand new greens of Yorba Linda Country Club and will feature 18 holes of scramble golf, refreshments, auction and more! We thank you for supporting our kids, and to show you our appreciation we've lowered our registration fee!

Last year, golfers and guests like you helped kindergarten student, Eric. Eric has health issues and a severe visual impairment. Thanks to you, he has successfully learned to Braille and read the alphabet!

How will you empower Eric and many more students?

Early bird registration closes September 14, 2019.

We are thrilled to announce our first auction package- a two night, three day retreat to the beautiful Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. With a AAA Five-Diamond rating, the resort is scenically set against the backdrop of Arizona's McDowell Mountains, and boasts excellent amenities, including one of the best spas in North America and two 18-hole championship golf courses.

Thanks to Our Wonderful Sponsors!

Presenting Sponsor- $7,500
Dr. Frank and Jeanette Villalobos
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St. Andrew Sponsor- $5,000

​Pebble Beach Sponsors- $2,500
Barbra Alvarado

Whitecross Foundation

​Yorba Linda Country Club Sponsors- $1,500

​Exclusive Sponsors
The Konopisos Family

"Sophia could have given up a long time ago. It's her fight, her determination, along with her incredible teachers that keeps her moving forward."
​-Suzanne, Sophia's Mom

Sophia first arrived at Blind Children’s Learning Center in 2015 at age 4. Her battle with aggressive pediatric brain cancer robbed her of her vision and left her unable to speak, walk, or even tap her feet to music. All she could do was cry. Thanks to you, Sophia found hope at Blind Children’s Learning Center. 

Now 8 years old, the determined and expressive Sophia just graduated from the Center. Suzanne describes her daughter’s progress as “mind-blowing.” She continues, “Without the generosity of donors, Sophia would not have had the opportunity to achieve goals that medical professionals said she may never accomplish. I’m forever grateful.”

• Speech therapy empowered Sophia with new skills to greet people, express her opinions, and vocalize simple words. Her constant cries of frustration are now laughter.
  
  
• Physical Therapy helped Sophia gain balance, strength and the ability to walk! Once unable to crawl, she can now explore a jungle gym, dance to music, and use a white mobility cane. 
  
  
• Specialized, multi-sensory instruction improved Sophia’s tactile and auditory skills to learn without sight. She can choose activities, distinguish patterns by touch, and Braille the alphabet! 

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Sophia never gave up. There are hundreds of families right now who can fight for a better future like Sophia, but they need your help. Your gift will make an immediate difference at critical moments in a young child’s life, with a payoff that lasts a lifetime.

The Low Vision Clinic at Blind Children’s Learning Center operates as a partnership with the Southern California School of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University . Associate Professor Catherine Heyman, O.D. operates the clinic and shared its origins, evolving purpose, and what visual impairments look like today.
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Blind Children’s Learning Center: How did this collaboration begin?
Dr. Catherine Heyman: It began with Elizabeth Caloroso, OD in the early 1990s. She believed children with visual impairments were written off far too often, but that eye examinations and intervention could improve visual processing and efficiency skills.
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BCLC: How do children benefit from the Low Vision Clinic ?
CH: Our goal is for children to have as much functional vision as possible, but we can’t achieve that without early intervention. We saw a baby years ago who was initially diagnosed as completely blind, but our exam detected some visual function. With the proper support, he is now a high school student capable of visually processing his environment.

BCLC: How is the Low Vision Clinic utilized as a training facility?
CH: Residents extend their training by one year to specialize in treating children. Residents specifically seek out the Low Vision Clinic at BCLC since experience with this unique population is difficult to find.

BCLC: Have visual impairments changed in the last 25 years?
CH: Yes. Medicine makes it possible to save more premature babies, but they have more complex needs, including vision. Twenty-five years ago, detached retinas were a leading cause of blindness in babies. Improved treatment has 
changed that. We are now more likely to see diagnoses like Cortical Visual Impairment, which involves damaged pathways between the eye and the brain. In this case, the visual impairment is not caused by the eye itself, but rather how the brain and eyes communicate.

BCLC: How has the clinic’s purpose evolved?
CH: There is more collaboration. In the Low Vision Clinic, we are the first ones looking at the rehabilitative aspect of a child’s visual impairment. Then, a team of experts work directly with the child to provide direct services and implement recommendations.

P.S. Online registration closes on Friday, May 3 at noon PDT.