Beyond Blindness

Congratulations to the Beyond Blindness Class of 2024! You did it! You overcame so many challenges and worked so hard to reach this milestone. We are so proud of every one of you and your amazing accomplishments. Here's to new adventures and endless opportunities ahead.

We can't wait to see what you do next!

Share your graduation photos and stories with us using .

(Image Description: Image 1: An Image of a Beyond Blindness graduate, wearing a purple gown, holding up his diploma with one hand. Image 2: An image of a Beyond Blindness student holding a sign that reads, "Congrats Julian". Image 3: Beyond Blindness graduates on stage during their graduation ceremony. Image 4: An image of a Beyond Blindness graduate, in a purple gown, smiling at the camera. Image 5: An image of a Beyond Blindness graduate, in a wheelchair, receiving their diploma. Image 6: An image of two Beyond Blindness graduates, holding hands, smiling at the camera.)

Did you know that our kids make the best lemonade? They use fresh lemons from our sensory garden, where they explore a variety of plants, textures, scents, and tastes, enhancing their senses in a fun and engaging environment.

Swipe to see all the fun we had beating the heat while making some lemonade!


(Image Description: Image 1: A Beyond Blindness student, in our sensory garden, picking a lemon from a lemon tree. Image 2: Beyond Blindness students and teachers sitting outside getting ready to make lemonade. Image 3: A Beyond Blindness student with his tongue out and eyes closed tasting a lemon. Image 4: A Beyond Blindness student, wearing a straw hat, sits at a table squeezing a lemon. Image 5: A Beyond Blindness student, smiling at the camera, holding a lemon and a plastic cup.)

Looking for fun and easy ways to help your child develop their physical skills at home? This , our therapists have got you covered!

Today's tip is brought to you by our amazing physical therapists who know how to make movement fun and engaging. They suggest playing "Movement Songs" that encourage your child to dance and groove to their favorite tunes. This can help them improve their balance, coordination, strength, and flexibility.

So, turn up the music and get moving. And don't forget to check back next week for more tips from our therapists!

(Image Description: An infographic of a classroom with an apple and chalkboard with text stating, "Physical Therapy
Strategies for home, "Movement Songs - get your child to move their body by dancing to their favorite songs".)

It's a big week at Beyond Blindness. We're celebrating our amazing Beyond Blindness graduates with a Spirit Week! Today, we're staying comfy and cozy in our pajamas and having fun in our classrooms.

Check out these cute photos of our students showing off their pajamas. We can't wait to see our graduates walk the stage on Friday!

(image Description: Image 1: An infographic of a flyer with text stating, "Spirit Week and 2024 Graduation". Image 2: An image of Beyond Blindness students wearing pajamas while working on a craft in class. Image 3: An image of Beyond Blindness students wearing pajamas while singing in circle time.)

Water Day is officially our favorite day of the week! We had a blast beating the heat with some fun water activities. Our kiddos had a great time staying cool and making a splash!

Swipe to see how much fun we had yesterday!

(Image Description: Image 1: A Beyond Blindness student, sitting in a pool, throwing a cup of water at the camera while smiling. Image 2: Two Beyond Blindness students stomping water in a splash pad. Image 3: A Beyond Blindness student standing, while holding a pink spray bottle, and smiling at the camera. Image 4: A Beyond Blindness student, sitting in a pool, kicking his legs in the water.)

Sometimes, our stuffed animals need to get their eyes checked first. Look who came to visit our Low Vision Clinic! This stuffed animal friend had a blast getting his eyes checked by our caring staff.

Our weekly Low Vision Clinic offers free vision screenings and examinations, and we welcome the community for fun and comfortable visits.

To schedule a free appointment and for more information, please email us at [email protected].

(Image Description: An image of a Beyond Blindness student at our weekly Vision Clinic, having their stuffed animal's vision checked by an optometrist.

Are you looking for some easy and fun ways to boost your child's development at home?

Check out our series of posts where we share tips and strategies from our team at Beyond Blindness. Today's tip, provided by our Speech and Language Therapists, is about offering choices. They recommend, “Offer choices encouraging your child to interact and use words, show them two options, and hold them up as you name each one.”

Try it at home and stay tuned for more tips next week!

(Image Description: An infographic of a classroom with an apple and chalkboard with text stating, "Speech
Strategies for home, Choices: Offer choices encouraging your child to interact and use words, show them two options, and hold them up as you name each one".)

: Our Santa Ana Roots

Did you know that Beyond Blindness has been part of the Santa Ana community for over 60 years? We are incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of our community, which has been instrumental in our growth over the years. Today, we are excited to take a trip down memory lane and share a photo of our original location in Santa Ana from the 1980's.

If you have any cherished memories or stories of visiting us in Santa Ana, we'd love for you to share them in the comments below.
Don't forget to tag us with . We can't wait to hear from you!

(Image Description: Image 1: An Image of a former Beyond Blindness teacher and three former students holding balloons and signs in front of the original Beyond Blindness N Broadway location in Santa Ana.)

Happy Independence Day!

Please note that our campus will be closed on July 4th and 5th in observance of this national holiday. We look forward to seeing you again on Monday, July 8th.

Stay safe and have a fun 4th of July weekend!!

(Image Description: An image of an American flag on the Beyond Blindness campus with text stating, "Happy 4th of July".)

We are kicking off the 4th of July with our patriotic Bike Parade! The kids had a blast riding bikes decorated with red, white, and blue streamers, balloons, and flags through foam, bubbles, and other fun stops.

Check out some of the photos from this delightful event!

(Image Description: Image 1: A group of Beyond Blindness students, wearing helmets, on bikes waiting for the Bike Parade to start. Image 2: A Beyond Blindness student, wearing a 4th of July-themed attire, smiling on a bike. Image 3: Two Beyond Blindness students in a wagon covered in fake snow. Image 4: A Beyond Blindness student getting sprayed with water while on a bike. Image 5: A Beyond Blindness student smiles at the camera while being pushed on a bike.)

Are you ready for the 4th of July? We hope you have a blast, but we also want you to stay safe and protect your eyes. Here are some tips to follow if you plan to light up some fireworks:
- Wear eye protection. You never know when a spark or debris might fly into your eyes.
- Keep children away from fireworks. Only let them play with them under adult supervision. Fireworks can cause serious eye injuries in kids.
- In case of an eye injury, act fast. Do not rub, rinse, or apply pressure to the eye. Seek medical attention immediately.

Check out our infographic below and share it with your friends and family to spread the word.

(Image Description: A white infographic titled "Firework Safety", accompanied by an image of a red, white, and blue firework. In purple boxes, there is text stating, "Wear eye protection, Do not allow children to play with fireworks unsupervised, and In case of eye injury: Do not rub eyes, Do not rinse eyes, Do not apply pressure to the eye, Take them to see a doctor immediately.")

: Do you remember the 2005 Bike Parade? We do! This summer, we're opening our Beyond Blindness time capsule to bring you over 60 years of memories shared with past and current kids and families. Here's a photo of our former board member, Peggy Blaising, helping a student on their bike. What a fun day it was! Stay tuned for photos of this year's parade, coming soon.

(Image Description: A photo of former board member, Peggy Blaising, helping a student on their bike in our annual bike parade.")

Summer is finally here, and we're thrilled to share essential tips for enjoying the season while prioritizing good health.

1. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water to avoid heat exhaustion.
2. Protect your eyes with sunglasses that have UV protection.
3. Apply sunscreen with a high SPF, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during peak sun hours to prevent sunburn and skin damage.
4. Nourish your body with fruits and vegetables for essential vitamins and antioxidants.
5. Stay active with outdoor activities you enjoy, like walking, biking, swimming, or gardening.
6. Spending time in nature can boost your mood and reduce stress, so make sure to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors!

We wish our families a wonderful summer, stay healthy and safe!

(Image Description: A summer-themed infographic of a sunny day at the beach with text stating, "Tips for a healthy summer! Stay Hydrated, Protect Your Eyes, Protect Your Skin, Enjoy Fruits and Vegetables, Get Moving, and Go Outside.")

Today we celebrate the birthday of Helen Keller, a remarkable woman who overcame the challenges of being deaf and blind to become a world-famous writer, activist, and humanitarian. Her life story and achievements are a testament to the power of courage, perseverance, and education.

At Beyond Blindness, we are honored to follow in her footsteps and provide services for children with visual impairments and other disabilities. Helen Keller was a pioneer for the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities, and we strive to continue her legacy by empowering our children to reach their full potential.

(Image Description: A photo of Helen Keller smelling a flower accompanied by text stating "Happy Birthday Helen Keller".)

Do you want to make a difference this summer? Join us as a volunteer for our inclusive summer camp! You'll have a blast helping kids enjoy various activities and learn new skills. Plus, you'll get to meet amazing people and have a rewarding experience.

We have options for volunteering. We have Week 1, from July 22nd to 26th, and Week 2, from July 29th to August 2nd. You can choose one or both weeks, depending on your availability. For any questions, email us at [email protected].

To sign up, click the link below!
https://loom.ly/5j3mYCM

(Image Description: An infographic requesting volunteers for Beyond Blindness's inclusive summer campy, accompanied by photos of past summer camp volunteers and Beyond Blindness kiddos.)

Thank you, Johnson & Johnson Vision for being the Champion and Presenting Sponsor of our Annual Family Fair this year! Your generosity and commitment to our cause made this event a huge success. We are so grateful for your support and partnership. Thank you for helping us make a difference in the lives of many families!

(Image Description: An Infographic with text stating "Thank you Johnson and Johnson Vision, Community Champion and Presenting Sponsor" accompanied by an image of a child playing games at the Annual Family Fair.)

We had a blast at our Annual Family Fair last Saturday! A huge thank you to all the families and community members who joined us for games, food, music, and more. Check out the photos below for a glimpse of the fun!

(Image Description: A photo collage of families and community members participating in activities from our Annual Family Fair, accompanied by the words, "Thank you for attending our Annual Family Fair!".)

Tomorrow's the day and we can't wait to see you at our Annual Family Fair! We are grateful to our Family Fun Patron sponsors, North Orange County Delta Gamma Alumnae Chapter, Kitchen Table Marketing + PR, and New World Medical. Thanks to their generous contributions, we can provide a fun and safe environment for families to enjoy games, music, food, and prizes. We appreciate their commitment to our community and their support for our mission.

(Image Description: An infographic with text stating, "Thank you Family Fun Patron Sponsors, Delta Gamma Fraternity, North Orange County Alumnae Chapter, KTM Marketing, and New World Medical".)

The Annual Family Fair is just two days away! We can't wait to see you there and enjoy a wonderful day of exciting games, live music, a petting zoo, and many other attractions. We want to thank our Community Champion and Presenting Sponsor, Johnson & Johnson Vision, for their generous support, which enables us to host this event and connect with our community.

(Image Description: An infographic with a picture of an adult participating in an orientation and mobility game at the Beyond Blindness Annual Family Fair, along with text stating, "Thank you, Johnson and Johnson Vision, Community Champion and Presenting Sponsor".)

Social Society had a fantastic time touring the Chick-fil-A 17th at Tustin location. We are thankful to Chick-fil-A for providing our kiddos with the opportunity to go behind the scenes and gain insights into their operations. The kids had the chance to meet the owner, learn about the restaurant business, and even make their own ice cream cones! It was truly a remarkable experience! Check out some cute photos of our kiddos.

(Image Description: Image 1: Social Society poses before an inflatable Chick-fil-A cow. Image 2: An image of Beyond Blindness' Social Society sitting at a table talking to Chick-fil-A workers. Image 3: Social Society asking a Chick-fil-A owner questions. Image 4: Chick-fil-A owner speaking to Social Society while leading them through their tour. Image 5: Social Society getting a tour of Chick-fil-A's kitchen. Image 6: An image of a Social Society student pouring an ice cream cone, aided by a Chick-fil-A worker.)

Don't forget to mark your calendars for our upcoming Annual Family Fair on Saturday, June 22! We are grateful for the generous support of sponsors like Glaukos, our Activity Hero Sponsor, whose contribution makes this event possible. A big thank you to Glaukos for helping us create an inclusive and enjoyable environment for all our kids.

(Imagine Description: An infographic with a picture of a dunk tank from our Annual Family Fair accompanied by the words "Thank you, Glaukos Charitable Foundation, Activity Hero Sponsor".)

Thank you, Dean Family, for being an Annual Family Fair Concession Benefactor Sponsor and for making it possible for our kids and families to enjoy a fun-filled day of games, food, and entertainment. Your generosity helps us provide quality programs and services to our community all year round. We appreciate your partnership and look forward to seeing you at the fair on June 22!

(Image Description: An infographic with text stating, "Thank you, Dean Family, Concession Benefactor Sponsor, Annual Family Fair".)

Thank you, AvalonBay Communities, for being our Concession Benefactor Sponsor! We can't wait to see you on June 22 at our Annual Family Fair! We truly appreciate your generous support.

(Image Description: An infographic with text stating, "Thank you, AvalonBay Communities, Annual Family Fair Concession Benefactor Sponsor".)

Today is International Albinism Awareness Day, a time to spread awareness about a genetic condition that causes a lack of melanin in the skin, hair, and eyes. The absence of this pigment can lead to visual impairments.

Beyond Blindness has been dedicated to offering assistance to many children with albinism and has observed the remarkable progress they have achieved.

Through continued support and increased awareness, we strive to create a better future for individuals with albinism, enabling them to conquer obstacles and realize their true potential.

(Image Description: A graphic with the words "International Albinism Awareness Day, spread awareness and celebrate diversity." accompanied by an image of different colored hands in the shape of a heart.)

You did it! The Moustaches for Kids 2024 campaign raised over $160,000 for Beyond Blindness programs for kids with visual impairments and other disabilities and their families. Thank you to all the growers, donors, and supporters who made this possible. You are awesome!

A special thanks to our Beyond Blindness team, led by Krew's dad, Brian Samaniego, who grew amazing 'staches and spread the word about our cause. And a big shout-out to Tim Kearns, President, and Cary Facer Founder, of Moustaches for Kids, and the rest of the team, for choosing us as their 2024 charity of choice and running this incredible campaign. You guys rock!

Thank you for being part of our community and for helping our Beyond Blindness kiddos shine. You make a difference!

(Image Description: Beyond Blindness and Moustache for Kids staff celebrating their fundraising success at Stache Bash 2024. They are smiling and laughing while holding a large check that reads $158,105.)

Thank you Glaukos for being an Activity Hero Sponsor at our Annual Family Fair! We're excited to have you join us on June 22 and appreciate your generous support!

(Image Description: An infographic with text stating, "Thank you, Glaukos Charitable Foundation, Activity Hero Sponsor".)

Support Beyond Blindness by dining at Chick-fil-A!

Have a tasty meal and support a good cause this Wednesday, June 12th!

We are participating in Chick-fil-A’s Spirit Week, where a percentage of the day’s sales will be donated to Beyond Blindness to support our mission and programs for children with visual impairments and other disabilities.

Head to the Chick-fil-A at 17th and Tustin Ave on June 12, 2024, from 3:00 - 8:00 pm, and present the dedicated Beyond Blindness Spirit Week flyer to the cashier when you order.

To obtain the flyer, message us at [email protected], click on the link, or scan the QR code below!

https://loom.ly/ZNC3yVk

(Image Description: A flyer with instructions, date, and location on how to participate in the Beyond Blindness and Chick-fil-A Spirit Week and a QR code with a link to the flyer.)

June is Cataract Awareness Month.

Cataracts, the cloudiness of the clear lens in the eye, are the leading cause of blindness worldwide, affecting three out of 10,000 children. Early detection through regular vision screenings is essential in reducing the risk of long-term vision problems.

Beyond Blindness is taking major steps in lowering the risk of cataracts in our community through our weekly free vision clinic services. Thanks to a partnership with Marshall B. Ketchum University, we provide inclusive and impactful care to children ages 0 – 22 years old.

Please email [email protected], to schedule a free Vision Clinic appointment.

(Image Description: An image of Optometrist, Dr. Breau, providing vision services to a Beyond Blindness student.)

There is still time left!

Only three days remain to support children like Krew who are reaching milestones and developing the skills they need to realize their full potential. Help Brian Samaniego, Krew's dad, and his fellow Moustaches for Kids ‘stache growers reach the new fundraising target of $125,000.

All funds from this fundraising campaign will benefit Beyond Blindness’ world-class early intervention, education and enrichment, and family support programs.

Donate via the link below!
https://loom.ly/hr1xN7U

(Image Description: An infographic with pictures of Brian, his wife Julie, and his son Krew, accompanied by text stating, "Three days left to empower kids + families, Join Brian, Donate Now!" and a QR code leading to Brian's donate page.)