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Alfred—who attended a former Easterseals after-school program from ages six through 11—lost his vision at eight years old. As an adult, he later joined Easterseals peer-to-peer social group and, three years ago, began participating in ESSC’s Adult Day Services (ADS) program at the Glendale Wilson Center.
“Easterseals has been very helpful to Alfred throughout his life and to me when he was young,” recalls his mother, Caroline. “Easterseals is the best program I know and the people who support him are also the best, which means a lot to both of us. He enjoys the services and the opportunity to make friends. He’s very happy there.”
In addition to ADS services, Alfred has taken several classes at the Los Angeles Center of the Braille Institute—the nation’s leading non-profit serving people with blindness and low vision—and this year felt that he was ready to take on the demands of being a full-time student.
A Passion for Lifelong Learning
Says Xochitl Raygoza, Alfred’s Life Skills Coach, “At Easterseals Adult Day Services, we’re all about empowering people with disabilities and Alfred has embodied that amazingly. Easterseals is very person-centered, so we support the choices that people want to make. His goal is to always learn something new!”
As part of ADS’ person-centered approach, Alfred is provided with the support he needs to attend classes to further his education and to increase his independence and is currently taking three courses: home improvement, tai chi and classical music, where they enjoy videos and music from different composers.
“They have so many different options here! The classes I’m taking are helping me grow and I’m grateful. I wanted to do this, because I want to learn—and I want to learn how to live alone,” shares Alfred, who plans to take a cooking class next.
Looking to the Future
“Alfred is always open to the possibilities and opportunities that are presented to him,” Xochitl adds, “and he had the great idea of attending the Braille Institute fulltime. He has always wanted to experience the other classes that the Braille Institute can provide beyond the ones offered here at Easterseals and the growth has been awesome. Our mission is to see him achieve every goal he has and help him to live his life to the fullest.”
Says Wendy Castillo Rosales, an instructor at the Braille Institute, “Alfred is very friendly. He’s always helping his other classmates. As he was learning, I noticed that he had a lot of questions, which I love. That’s what Braille Institute is here for—to empower.”
Alfred Unplugged
And when he’s not busy learning or creating? Alfred enjoys reading, singing, listening to music and spending time with his girlfriend, Brittney.
“Alfred is an amazing person and it’s always fun,” smiles Xochitl. “I can’t wait to see where he goes!”
