Santa Ana : Blind Children’s Center Receives $12,600 Grant

The Blind Children’s Learning Center has received a $12,600 grant from the California Community Foundation to continue helping parents cope with the problems of confusion, fear and sadness that often accompany having a child who is blind.

Melody Smythe, coordinator of the Santa Ana center’s In-Home Program, said early interaction between mother and child is built on the visual system, so in blindness, the feedback system is disturbed.

“The parents just have to become keener observers. We teach them how to get to know their baby in other ways, such as noticing how the baby really quiets and listens when they hear or feel the parents.”

The center is using the money to get an additional infant specialist, she said.

The program is designed for newborn babies and older infants who cannot visit the on-site program because of health reasons, such as respiratory problems.

“We support the family psychologically by being good listeners and consistent, caring people while they’re coping with the new demands in their lives,” Smythe said.