At Junior Blind of America, sight is lacking but purpose is clear

The first visit was a year ago, when I traveled there by bus from Santa Fe Springs with U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Jesse Acosta and his guide dog, Charley. Acosta had lost his sight and nearly his life in a mortar attack in Iraq, and he was taking computer courses at Junior Blind, fiercely determined to rebuild his career and not be a burden to his wife and four children.

Last week, I had two good reasons to check back in on Acosta. Tuesday is Veterans Day, and today marks the first in a series of holiday season features in the L.A. Times highlighting the work of local nonprofits that can use your help, especially given the national economic calamity and the squeeze on government funding and private donations.

From now through early January, in The Times' annual Holiday Campaign tradition, we'll bring you stories about children, teens, adults and seniors whose lives are enriched by dedicated employees and volunteers, as well as by those who know the humility and grace in giving. Alongside this column you'll find details on how you can make a difference.

Junior Blind of America, started in 1953 by a few volunteers, now serves several thousand people a year, more than 90% of them children. Many were born prematurely and blind, and quite a few have other disabilities such as autism.

In a stroll through the campus, you come upon one unforgettable scene after another. Your heart breaks, and just as quickly, your spirit lifts.

An 11-year-old named Josh, wearing a helmet with a cage mask for protection, was walking with his father through the dorm where the boy lives.

"One eye was out of service," said his dad, Dave Crawford, explaining that his son was born with only partial vision. Out of frustration and because of developmental disabilities, Josh had later badly damaged his good eye by striking himself repeatedly.

But after two years of therapy at Junior Blind, he's doing better.

"He's capable of feeding himself now," his father said. "This place is amazing."

In addition to the residential program Josh is enrolled in, and a camp in Malibu, Junior Blind runs a special education school and provides vision screening for thousands of children in the greater Los Angeles area. An after-school enrichment program for low-income families, funded in part last year by donations from Times readers, integrates blind and sighted children in sports, cooking and educational activities.