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Displaying 1–10 of 166 stories results
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A Legacy of Strength, Adaptability, and Generosity: Richard and Elizabeth Kamis
Beacon StoriesRichard and Elizabeth built a life rooted in resilience, service, and generosity, with Richard’s experience living with retinitis pigmentosa shaping their shared purpose. From breaking barriers in education to helping others, their impact continues to help advance research for generations to come.
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From Hiding to Helping: How Cory Turned Vision Loss Into a Life With No Limits
Beacon StoriesAfter years of hiding his vision loss, Cory Rainford now uses his voice to help others navigate life with choroideremia. As his blinding disease progressed, he worked hard to keep it invisible, even leaving his dream job. Today, through his YouTube channel Legally Blind No Limits, Cory shares honest, humorous videos about adapting and finding community, showing others that life with vision loss can still be full of possibilities.
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Hope Is Right Around the Corner
Beacon StoriesRosana was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) at 43, which would eventually cost her a pilot’s license, a driver’s license, and the independence she had always defined herself by. Rather than retreat, she adapted, moving closer to the beach, riding tandem bikes, and finding community through the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Today, she channels her experience with AMD into advocacy, driven by the belief that hope—and continued progress toward treatments and cures—are very much within reach.
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Seeing Science Through a Cellular Lens
Beacon StoriesOn International Day of Women and Girls in Science, meet Jillian Pearring, PhD, a Foundation Fighting Blindness–funded researcher whose work on photoreceptors and retinitis pigmentosa is helping advance treatments and cures for blinding diseases.
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Story Update: Seeing Through Your Disability
Beacon StoriesLance Johnson shares life with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) as a creator, father, and Foundation Fighting Blindness ambassador—advocating for awareness and advancing treatments and cures.
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Beacon Stories
Runner, storyteller, and community builder — Eavan O’Neill turned her Stargardt disease diagnosis into a mission to connect and uplift others through her own lived experiences. Through Brightside, she’s redefining what it means to live boldly and authentically with vision loss.
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My Journey with Retinitis Pigmentosa and the Foundation Fighting Blindness
Beacon StoriesZach was diagnosed with Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) through genetic testing from the Foundation’s My Retina Tracker® Program. Today, he is looking ahead with purpose — supporting research through the Foundation, planning for his future, and encouraging others to do the same.
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Answers at Last: How Genetic Testing Revealed Zach’s Bardet-Biedl Syndrome
Beacon StoriesFor years, Zach Lovell lived with vision loss that didn’t have a complete explanation. Genetic testing through the Foundation’s My Retina Tracker® Program revealed he had Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS), finally connecting decades of health challenges and bringing long-awaited clarity to him and his family. Today, Zach is looking ahead with purpose — supporting research through the Foundation, planning for his future, and encouraging others to do the same.
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Built on Grit: Breaking Barriers to Employment
Beacon StoriesIn honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we’re celebrating Mike Hess, founder of the Blind Institute of Technology (BIT). After years of being the “token blind guy” in the corporate world, Mike turned his experience into a movement for equity and opportunity—empowering blind, low vision, and disabled professionals with training, resources, and pathways to meaningful careers.
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A Family United: Thomas’ Hero’s Journey with CRB1
Beacon StoriesWhen Becky’s son Thomas was diagnosed with a rare CRB1-associated disease, their family’s world changed. But today, Becky and Thomas are embracing advocacy, community, and research as they work to raise awareness and fuel progress toward treatments and cures.
