NLAB School for the Blind

This website has been developed to show my gratitude to NLAB for its services to the visually impaired children especially to Christopher "Kidd" Suleta, my first cousin twice removed (grandson).

Kidd was born with Retinopathy Of Prematurity to a single teenager mother; the father fled when he found out about the pregnancy. He was one kilo (2.2 lbs.) in weight and 35 cm in length so was immediately placed in an incubator. Because of dwindling funds, Kidd was removed from the hospital incubator despite doctor's orders. When he was brought home he was placed in a make-shift incubator made from a styrofoam cooler with a glass top, small electric bulb, metal canteen filled with hot water, and a digital thermometer. A tank of oxygen was borrowed from a local doctor and was used during his home incubation.

At the age of two-and-one-half, he was accepted as the first blind and the youngest student of Alaminos Central School (ACS) where he attended one hour classes twice a week. During his second year at ACS he attended two hour classes thrice a week. Although the Special Education teacher was still undergoing training on how to teach blind students, the time Kidd spent at ACS helped prepare him for the school environment.

I found about NLAB when Kidd was only three years-old but I was told that he can start when he reaches the school’s age limit. He was enrolled for the 2007-2008 school year in the Special Class II. Now in his second year, he has been elevated to Special Class I.

We are hoping Kidd will learning the skills needed for him to return to ACS as a regular student and finish his elementary education back home.

In the process of photo documenting Kidd's progress at NLAB this website will showcasing the services of NLAB and provide feedback to its sponsors, donors and parents of the student.

Hopefully its interactive features will encourage visitor, parents, OJTs, student teachers, teachers and staff to contribute by submitting articles of interests. Those interested should first register and request status as an author so they can submit their articles.

Jerry Rendon
Website developer