home news sports culture ideas up-to-date

You are viewing
Volume 38 Issue 6
November 21, 2000

To return to the current issue please click here.

MCC volunteer student devotes time to the blind

BY JOLAYNE HANRAHAN
FOR THE MESA LEGEND
Submitted November 21, 2000

MCC student Thomas Abraham, 18, has a busy schedule.  He is a full-time student, has a part-time job and plays hockey.

Yet, Abraham still finds time to volunteer at the Foundation for Blind Children.

Abraham first became involved in this program through his culture diversity class at MCC.

Bob Estrin/MESA LEGEND
MCC student Thomas Abraham smiles on Sidney Burke, one of the visually impaired preschoolers who attend a special program for blind students.

The diversity class requires 25 hours of volunteer/observation work in a classroom.

Abraham was aware of the foundation through a friend and thought he could take the opportunity to provide his volunteer work there.

The foundation was established in 1952, with its main facility in Phoenix and  satellite classrooms in the West and East Valley.

The foundation funded a  program called the Cooperative Preschool for the Visually Impaired.

The program is for infants and preschoolers, as well as children with multiple impairments.

The program also provides a speech and physical therapist who works with the children once a week.

"It is a federal mandate that all children over the age of 3 have the opportunity for an education," said Jean Murphy, head teacher of the foundation’s East Valley school.

Besides Murphy, there are two teaching assistants and two volunteers working with five children at the East valley school.

Murphy feels that Abraham has been a great asset to the program.

Since Abraham began volunteering, she has been impressed with his ability to fit in with everyone.

Murphy was especially concerned with  how Abraham would act as a volunteer toward these children who have more needs than an average child.

"It can be kind of a scary experience walking into a classroom where children are unable to move without assistance," Murphy said. "But Thomas just took it in stride. He has been good about asking questions, showing that he is interested in what he is doing. He is great."

One student has become quite attached to Abraham.

He observes her vocalization and reading skills, and in turn, she blows him kisses.

"Here is an 18-year-old man who can walk into a classroom and not know anyone except me, and be willing to sit down and start singing ‘Old McDonald Had a Farm’ with the children," Murphy said.

Abraham plans to major in education and become a history teacher.

While Abraham didn’t have previous experience working with children, he believes volunteering has been valuable.

"Being able to work at the FBC, I have gotten to know a great group of people," Abraham said. "The teachers here are fantastic and working with the kids has been great. I know this experience is going to be very useful to me in the future."

For more information on volunteering for the Foundation for Blind Children, call 480-775-6849, or go to www.the-FBC.org.

Back to Top | Previous Page | Home