The resilience of a young child is inspiring! At the Lighthouse of Pinellas we work with blind and visually impaired individuals (children through adults) whose resilience inspires us to do something more. To help them thrive.

Maverick is a 2-year-old child who was diagnosed with Joubert Syndrome, a rare genetic condition characterized by abnormal brain development, possibly affects other organs of the body and vision loss. He was also diagnosed with Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), a retinal eye disorder. Children with LCA may also have crossed eyes, rapid involuntary eye movements, farsightedness, and light sensitivity. His vision is severely limited but exact understanding of his vision loss cannot be determined due to his age.

Maverick began receiving Early Intervention services at the Lighthouse of Pinellas in August 2022 at the age of 14-months. Before receiving services, Maverick was at the developmental age of approximately a 10-month-old. He had very little verbal expressive language, unable to stand for more than 30 seconds or walk. Instructors focused on helping Maverick acquire skills to learn about the world around him by using his other senses. They also work with him to improve orientation and mobility skills so that he can safely navigate his environment.

In the 15 months that Maverick has been receiving weekly individualized vision services, he has made tremendous gains. Through weekly training, Maverick can now communicate his needs and wants verbally and through sign language. He crawls or walks to explore his environment and educational toys. Maverick is now willing to explore and touch a variety of textures. He enjoys textured picture books and braille in books. He is learning to use a pediatric belt cane to navigate his surroundings safely. Eventually he will be able to walk confidently and independently using the pediatric belt cane or white cane.

Meet Bobby: A True Inspiration at Lighthouse of Pinellas

Bobby has been part of the Lighthouse of Pinellas family for two years, and his journey is nothing short of incredible. Losing his sight later in life, Bobby faced challenges that many of us can hardly imagine. But his determination to thrive has been unstoppable.

He started with Orientation and Mobility training, learning how to navigate the world confidently and independently. Now, he's mastering Braille letters and words with his certified instructor, Tiffany, who has helped open new opportunities for communication and connection for him.

Bobby is Deaf and communicates using tactile sign language, an inspiring reminder of the power of human connection and adaptability. He’s also a huge football fan, proving that passion has no limits! ?✨

We’re proud to be part of Bobby’s journey and can’t wait to see him continue to achieve his goals. Let’s celebrate Bobby’s resilience and spirit by sharing his story!

Meet One of Our Star Learners!

At Lighthouse of Pinellas, we’re proud to spotlight our youngest clients and their incredible progress!

Meet 4-Year-Old Explorer, Kingston:

This amazing young boy has optic nerve hypoplasia, but doesn’t let that stop him from learning and growing every day.

He’s mastering pre-Braille skills by exploring textures and tactile images with his hands while using the Braille Buzz to read the book, “That’s Not My Car”, using the pads of his fingers and establishing good Braille habits. He is discovering the world one touch at a time.

With the support of his family and our dedicated team, he’s building the foundation for future independence. His curiosity and determination inspire us all!

Join us in cheering on his incredible journey and celebrate his milestones by sharing his story with your donors and walkers!

Meet Alan, a remarkable member of our Teen Transition Program and part of the Lighthouse family since he was just 8 years old. His journey is a true testament to resilience, growth, and advocacy.

Through his time at Lighthouse, Alan has gained essential tools to navigate vision loss, resources to live independently, and a strong sense of community. He has learned to advocate for himself, find his voice, and build confidence in all aspects of life. What he enjoys most about working with Lighthouse is the opportunity to experience real-life situations, all while receiving guidance and support from other low vision peers and the incredible instructors at Lighthouse.

Alan has grown into a confident, driven young leader. He graduated from Lakewood High School this year and is excited to be attending Eckerd College in August 2025, This summer, Alan took the next step in his journey with a work experience at Clearwater Marine Aquarium, made possible through our Summer Camp Program.

We couldn’t be prouder of his achievements and can’t wait to see all that he accomplishes in the future!

Meet Kyle, one of our incredible clients at Lighthouse of Pinellas (LHP) and a panelist at our Dining in the Dark event in Jan. 2025. Kyle’s journey with vision loss began just a few years ago. Like many, the hardest part was losing his independence, but thanks to his determination and the support of Lighthouse of Pinellas' Vocational Rehabilitation Program, he’s gained it back and is thriving in ways he never imagined.

Through our training programs, Kyle mastered VoiceOver on his iPhone, keyboarding, and mobility skills; empowering him to navigate the world with confidence. His self-advocacy and perseverance led him to new employment, proving that vision loss does not mean the end of opportunity.

But Kyle didn’t stop there! Since becoming visually impaired, he has earned his scuba diving license, founded his own company, SeeSwell, and created a podcast, “Two Guys with No Eyes” to connect with and support the blind and low vision community.

Thanks to the connections made at Dining in the Dark, Kyle has connected with some of LHP’s youth clients in hopes to continue advocating for and mentoring others facing similar challenges, proving that vision loss does not mean the loss of dreams.

Kandie’s story is one of strength, faith, and a fierce determination to reclaim independence.

Originally from a small town in Illinois, Kandi moved to Florida in 1984 and dedicated nearly 40 years of her life to nursing in the greater Pinellas County area. But everything changed after she suffered a series of strokes, six in total, leaving her with significant vision loss and brain damage. The transition was devastating. Kandi found herself grieving the life she once knew, and loneliness began to take hold.
But Kandie is not one to give up.

With the encouragement of her support system and her deep-rooted faith, she chose to seek help. As a nurse, Kandie had once cared for a young boy who was visually impaired and attended Lighthouse of Pinellas’ Early Intervention and Children’s Programs. She remembered the positive impact Lighthouse had on that little boy’s life and decided to reach out.

From the moment she walked through our doors, Kandie said she felt welcomed, supported, and understood. She worked closely with our Orientation & Mobility instructor, Karli, to help her navigate her community, work, and how to take public transportation. Kandie also dove into our technology programs, where she gained skills using ZoomText and screen magnification for her phone and computer. With the help from her instructor, Brad, Kandie created a notebook filled with step-by-step guides on navigating technology — a resource she still uses and updates to this day.

Over the last seven years as a client, Kandie has not only gained independence but also a loyal companion, her seeing eye dog, a black lab named Runner. Since her last stroke she has not been able to work, but is hoping to go back soon as she has enjoyed being an Activities Director for an agency that serves individuals with disabilities, using her story and her strength to uplift others.

Kandie wants others to know:
“You don’t have to walk through darkness alone.”

Outside of her work and advocacy, Kandie loves holiday lights and scenic views. One of her favorite memories is visiting Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee at Christmastime, taking in the city lights from above. Her dream? A trip to Dollywood, a fitting destination, as she’s proud to be related to Dolly Parton on her mother’s side.

Kandie is planning to join Lighthouse of Pinellas for the White Cane Walk. If you see her there, please feel free to say hello and thank her for sharing her journey with us. Kandie’s journey reminds us all of the power of hope, resilience, and why your support of the White Cane Walk matters.