Seedlings Organization Makes Braille Books for Blind Kids

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WJBK) - With a handful of paid employees, limited resources and dozens of volunteers, a local business is changing the lives of blind children all over the globe.

"It's one of my favorite memories of being a mom is having the kids on my lap and reading to them," said Deborah Bonde.

That's why she started the nonprofit Seedlings Braille Books for Children in her basement -- making books by hand one raised dot at a time.

"I found out that there are very few books available for blind children, and the ones that were available were exceedingly expensive -- $100 for a Hardy Boys book," Bonde said.

More than 25 years later, Bonde and technology have both come a long way. A computer program connected to an expensive printer transform flat text into bumpy words.

To make sure little readers can read with siblings or parents, the original books are kept intact. The Braille is printed on clear adhesive, then added to the colorful pages.

"Thanks to Seedilings, we can get these (books) … affordable. They're hard to find. There's no Braille at our local library. A huge library and they have nothing for her," said parent Sherry Ditmar.

"We make the books and sell them at a loss to keep them affordable," said Bonde.

Katie Kelel learned to read on these books and is now an exceptional student at Michigan State, as well as Seedlings volunteer.

"Deborah has touched the lives of more people than she'll ever know," said Kelel.

While there are now many high tech options for blind children, even eleven-year-old Calli knows nothing beats reading a good book.

"Calli was brought home two years ago from China, and for her to read the story of 'Anne of Green Gables' about another girl full of spunk, to understand that this other girl in this book was adopted and hear about her stories is incredible. It opens up whole new worlds to her," said parent Heather Bowman-Tomlinson.

If you would like to help, Seedlings' biggest fundraiser is Bowling for Braille Books. It's happening on Saturday, March 26 at noon at Plaza Lanes in Plymouth. For more information about the organization or the fundraiser, visit www.seedlings.org.