Imagine you are 9 years old. Now imagine you are 9 years old and blind. How would you feel about life?

Lucas Cain, a 9 year old who is blind has a very positive outlook on the world and life in general. A lot of this is due to the fact that he has a wonderful and loving family. But his parents looked for help when Lucas was only an infant. They found that help from Trident United Way. Two United Way member agencies have provided a foundation for Lucas and his family. “When Lucas was born we didn’t know where to turn or how to teach him,” explains his mother Lois Cain. Berkeley Citizens, Inc., a Trident United Way member agency, was there for the family in their time of need. “Without Berkeley Citizens, I don’t know where we would have turned,” Cain said. When Lucas was about 2 months old, an early interventionist from Berkeley Citizens came into the Cain’s home to teach Lucas things like how to sit and how to put things into a container. At 6 months, Lucas went to Berkeley Citizens for physical therapy. Lucas continued to learn from this agency. They taught him pre-Braille by introducing him to raised lines on a page and the differences between textures. This provided a foundation for Lucas before entering the public school system. His mother explains, “It’s like building a house. It is so important to begin with a strong foundation. I feel that Berkeley Citizens provided that foundation for Lucas.” Lucas just started fourth grade at Devon Elementary. He was on the A, B Honor Roll all of his third-grade year. Lucas attended camp this summer and did a lot of swimming, thanks to Berkeley County YMCA, another Trident United Way member agency. The staff at the YMCA went above and beyond to help Lucas learn to swim. “Prior to his swimming lessons, I was always afraid that Lucas might fall into the water. Now he is even doing flips!” Cain said. Trident United Way has touched Lucas and his family in more ways than one. Both Berkeley Citizens, Inc. And Berkeley County YMCA were there when the family needed help. Trident United Way raises funds for 43 local, health and human service organizations. For more information on the United Way, call 723-5000.