One Mother's Dream Becomes a Reality and Changes the Lives of Hundreds of Blind Children

8th Annual Destination Independence 5K Walk Raises Funds for Blind Children's Learning Center.
 
May 4, 2012 - PRLog -- Jaimie Haver dreamed of a day when hundreds of families would gather at her son Jack’s school - Blind Children’s Learning Center  -  to celebrate the victorious accomplishments of the Center’s  blind and  visually impaired children.  On Saturday, May 19 this strong, determined mother will be living her dream at the 8th Annual Destination→ Independence 5K Walk presented by Wells Fargo and Letner Roofing,  to benefit Blind Children’s Learning Center.

Haver launched the Center’s first 5K Walk in 2004 and has now united  mothers of children with visual impairments  to be the driving force for this annual event which cumulatively has raised more than $300,000 in support of the Center’s  specialized educational programs and therapy services.  Walkers will kick-off the walk at the Center’s Santa Ana, Calif. site, move through neighboring streets returning to the campus for a family carnival.

Haver’s son Jack has Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), a potentially blinding eye disorder that primarily affects premature infants.   2012 Walk Ambassador Taylor Cox was born with no eyes ( a rare condition called bilateral microphthalmia).   Haver and Kim Cox, Taylor’s mother, rose to the challenge and sought  resources to give their precious children every opportunity to reach their full potential.  Blind Children’s Learning Center was the perfect fit.  

Today, Jack is a confident, energetic 12- year- old who loves adventure.  He’s experienced skiing, rock climbing, tandem biking and has even gone zip lining.  Taylor is an energetic third grader attending her neighborhood public school.  She confidently keeps up with her sighted peers despite being the only blind student in her class.  Taylor is not all books, she plays the piano and is studying ju-jitsu.  

“I’ll never forget meeting the mom of a 12-year- old girl with very special needs and medically fragile.  The mom and dad had never met or spoken to other parents about their daughter.  They had never attended a support group meeting and they had never met another child like theirs. Their daughter was 12!  Can you imagine how lonely and isolating that would be?  Blind Children’s Learning Center offers moms and dads the opportunity to meet other parents, see other children with a similar diagnosis and provides resources for different therapy services.  I cannot imagine what my life would have been like if I had not met some of the parents that I continue to count on today for support.  I felt so sad for this mother and her family. I’m even more determined now to build awareness and support for Blind Children’s Learning Center,” said Haver.    

Details and registration information for the 2012 Destination →Independence 5K Walk are available online at www.blindkids.org.  Walk day registration begins on Saturday, May 19 at 7:30 a.m. at Blind Children’s Learning Center located at 18542-B Vanderlip Ave., Santa Ana, Calif.  A musical performance by the Center’s students will be at 8:35 a.m. and the Walk will begin at 9 a.m.   For more information call 714.573.8888.
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