Building Bears and Building Friendships: Sighted and Visually Impaired Kids team up at Build a Bear

On February 12th, 2017, children and families from Partners for Pediatric Vision met sighted peers from the Junior Vista’s at the Del Amo Mall Build a Bear in Torrance. Then the fun began. Each child with visual impairment from Partners for Pediatric Vision was paired up with sighted Junior Vistas peers with the goal of creating their very own stuffed animal to take home. The Junior Vistas walked their buddy to the stuffing machine and then to a series of stations where they helped to describe the hundreds of outfits and accessories to choose from.

Next they dressed and decorated the stuffed animals together. By the end of the event, there were rainbow colored bears, cats, dinosaurs and bunnies. Not to mention huge smiles, giggles and hugs. In a short period of time, new friends were made, fun was had and everyone went home with their very own stuffed animal. All of the costs were covered by the Junior Vistas and Vistas for Children Inc. who raises funds for programs that help children with special needs including Partners for Pediatric Vision. A huge thank you to the Vistas and Junior Vistas for making this incredible experience possible.