1. olmsted center for sight
helping children and families overcome the odds
By Katie Coleman
A local toddler’s story of survival is a true testimony to the power of early intervention,
love, laughter, and education in troubling times.
Oliver Laub, now four years old, was diagnosed with a highly malignant brain tumor, in
the back of his head within the first year of his life, and received extensive treatment
including radiation and surgery until finally finishing in March 2013. He was left with
special physical, speech, and vision needs. “Without smiles and laughter we would have
all crumbled,” said Shawna. “We had to have humor and keep it fun, so we’d bring water
guns to the hospital and shoot the nurses or his dad when he’d get there after work.”
Oliver’s physical therapist at the time told Shawna about the Olmsted Center for Sight,
which exists in Buffalo to help people who are blind or visually impaired achieve their
highest level of independence. Oliver’s mom, Shawna Laub, found their Early Education
Program, for children ages three to five years old, which is a special place for children
with disabilities, especially vision impairments, to learn about the world and help them
succeed.
Shawna introduced me to Oliver after he woke up from a nap at Olmsted’s Early
Education location within the Temple Beth Zion at 700 Sweet Home Rd. in Amherst. He
wore a little eye patch with a dinosaur on it, and was full of life. “I had a great day at
school because it’s super awesome here,” Oliver told me while he ran around the room
with excitement. “I got to go to the gym and play with cars.”
Shawna said the program is very hands-on and individualized, and Oliver has a teacher,
teacher’s aid, and one-to-one aid that are there to all help him have the very best chance
to succeed. “He’s really blossomed here, especially with his speech,” Shawna said. “He
started off not speaking much due to his oral deficiency and paralysis, and now he’s
talking all the time.”
For families going through something similar with their child, Shawna recommends that
you make sure to set time aside for yourself, and even seek counseling. “It doesn’t make
you weak. It was such an emotionally charged and terrifying time his first few years. I
didn’t really do anything for myself and it left me very run down.”
Luckily Shawna and Oliver are now back on track with great thanks to Olmsted’s Early
Education Program. Mary Beth Peters, director of the program, said, “I love this job.
Kids make you smile and I feel like we’re doing something really important for the
community.”
And even though next year Oliver will be leaving the program,
Olmsted can help with services through his entire life, such as low-vision optometry

2. clinics, educational classes, adaptive living counseling, job training, and senior vision
services. Their headquarters are located on 1170 Main St. in Buffalo. For more
information, go to http://olmstedcenter.org, or call 716-882-1025.