Our introduction to Clarice started with a concern about our baby. Our little Makayla was uncomfortable with strangers and cried often when someone unfamiliar greeted her or when she
was in a public setting. 

As first-time parents, who happen to be blind, we were unsure if her behavior was normal and did not know how to remedy the situation. My wife and I were unable to go to public places as a family because Makayla cried when she was introduced to new people and/or environments. Fortunately, we met Clarice. In discussing our concerns about Makayla with Clarice, she suggested that socializing with other babies may help in our situation. Hearing this, my wife and I considered bringing Makayla to her class, The Connection Group.

At the time, Makayla was five months old. The difference in Makayla’s adaptability to social situations and environments was evident from one class till the next. Upon the second class, Makayla was more comfortable with her environment. She was more willing to take risks and explored toys that were further away from us. She also interacted with other babies. As a result, Makayla’s social skills and tolerance for new environments increased as the months went on. She was also calmer when approached by strangers and no longer cried when introduced to new places. Clarice’s guidance, knowledge, enthusiasm, and patient teaching provided us with the strategies and perspectives that we would not have gained otherwise.

We spent the next two and a half years with Clarice learning, growing, and enjoying the accomplishments and challenges that come along with each developmental stage. We would list all of the lessons on parenting that Clarice has provided us, but that would take too much space on the page. The support that she has provided to us in adjusting to being new parents has been
invaluable. She provided us insight into Makayla’s personality and helped us learn how to accommodate her temperament, and for that, we are grateful.

Clarice has a caring dedication to her craft, and it is evident that she has a loving heart for everyone she teaches. She was always respectful. She didn’t talk down to us because we were blind or first-time parents. On the contrary, Clarice did what she could to ensure that we knew that other parents had similar struggles and that we were normal first-time parents trying to adjust to parenthood just like everyone else. Most of all, she believed in us and encouraged us through the challenges that arose as first-time parents.

Thanks to Clarice, we now have the tools necessary for a strong positive foundation for our little girl. I know that we have much more learning to do in the years that lie ahead, but our time with
Clarice has refined our parenting style and given us a good model for success.

-Chuy and Kia Vaca, Parents