“Just get through the program, don’t give up! You might have some rough days like I did… you might have some tiring days. But you’ll get through it if you persevere. It’s all about perseverance.”
When Laura “Sunny” Cefaratti reflects on her time at BISM’s CORE program, her journey exemplifies resilience and determination. Over the course of 11 months, Sunny devoted herself to an intensive, full-time schedule—40 hours a week of hands-on training designed to build independence and confidence for blind and visually impaired individuals. From crafting resumes and grocery shopping to cooking meals, mastering braille, and learning assistive technology, Sunny embraced every challenge the program offered. Weekends were her only reprieve, but she never wavered in her commitment to completing the program.
Sunny completed the CORE program in 2023 and credits it as the foundation of her thriving career as a traveling musician. Armed with her cane travel skills and newfound independence, Sunny regularly books performances at nursing homes and assisted living facilities, bringing joy to her audience with her classical-style singing. For Sunny, music isn’t just a career—it’s her calling.
Adopted from South Korea at age two, Sunny was born blind and is also autistic, with a diagnosis of bilateral microphthalmia, a condition where the eyes are underdeveloped or absent. Before CORE, Sunny described her life as “pampered,” relying heavily on her family for daily tasks. Determined to make a change, she toured BISM’s Baltimore headquarters and enrolled in the CORE program in April 2022. Despite initial feelings of overwhelm at the intensity of the training, Sunny persevered, completing the program in March 2023, just shy of a year.
Sunny excelled in every aspect of the program. She championed her braille courses, learned to use Voice Over on her iPhone to send reports and conduct research, and mastered touch typing, enabling her to type efficiently without looking at the keyboard. She also thrived in the woodshop course, where she built a nightstand and iPhone holder. These projects taught her problem-solving and design skills, reinforcing her confidence along the way.
One of Sunny’s proudest moments came just two days before graduation when she “cleared” her independent travel assessment. In CORE, “clearing” means demonstrating the ability to use a white cane to navigate independently with safety, problem-solving skills, and confidence. Sunny successfully mapped and navigated her apartment route, crossed streets safely, and traveled to and from BISM headquarters entirely on her own—a milestone she holds dear.
Another highlight of Sunny’s CORE experience was her final braille project: creating a braille menu for the Red Lobster at the Anne Arundel Shopping Center. She personally delivered the menu to the restaurant and was rewarded with a free meal for her efforts, a tangible reminder of how far she had come.
“(My experience at BISM) is always going to be something I remember for years to come,” Sunny shares with a smile.
Sunny’s story is a testament to the transformative power of programs like CORE, made possible through the generosity of donors. Contributions from supporters like you enable BISM to provide the skills, training, and confidence blind and individuals need to thrive. Thanks to this support, Sunny transitioned from relying on others to becoming self-reliant and pursuing her passion for music.
