Guiding Light: The Extraordinary Journey of a CCVI Alumni and his Teacher

As one of the first people at CCVI to meet and work with Lawrence (Lolo), Teacher of the Visually Impaired Michelle Tovar is quick to highlight his natural love for learning and bright personality.

Michelle has known and worked with Lawrence as his Teacher of the Visually Impaired since he first came to CCVI at the age of three. Michelle recalls his first week at CCVI, laughing, “He’d always come in with the same stuffed animal, Kitty Cat, and kept it with him throughout the week.”

Lawrence (Lolo) and his TVI, Michelle Tovar, at CCVI in 2020

But as his time at CCVI went on, Lawrence grew socially and mentally and formed many friendships, and acquired many skills, such as navigation with a cane and Braille.

“He is just so smart,” says Michelle. “Like a child genius. He can name all the constellations and has always been good at numbers.”

Now at the age of 8, Lawrence will be entering the third grade this coming school year and still has a natural love for learning and has taken a liking to geography and science.

When Lawrence and his mother Hailey Dunne stopped by to see Michelle at CCVI, Lawrence always started his sentences with “Did you know” before rattling off his vast knowledge of countries and flags. At one point, he described the origins of the American flag and even went as far as explaining how the Liberian flag was inspired by America’s!

“CCVI was where he got all the foundational skills of O&M, braille, and low vision skills, and even just being in a safe smaller classroom environment has helped,” his mother comments

Although he no longer attends CCVI, he has had the opportunity to continue to work with his O&M Specialist, and his Occupational Therapist, because of support of people like you, both of whom, have also been with him since his first day at CCVI. The sessions with his therapists have been translated to the real world, as his mom recalled how well he navigated the streets and hills of stairs during their recent visit to Thailand.

“Watching this little boy who had just come from another country and had this love of learning and the social piece too, was so cute and amazing to watch,” says Michelle, “The Lolo who walked in is not the same kid who walked out.”

There’s no doubt that the relationships Lawrence has cultivated since his first day at CCVI have only lifted him and helped him take full advantage of his natural abilities. With the support of his teachers, therapists, and family, Lawrence can dream and become whatever he chooses to become!

When asked about what he wants to be when he grows up, he replies simply.

“I’m just going to become a scientist.”

Lawrence and his father in 2024