#United States #Columbia #Vision Loss #Foundation Fighting Blindness ##ShareYourVision

Foundation Fighting Blindness: Raising Awareness Through #ShareYourVision Campaign

In honor of October's Blindness Awareness Month, the Foundation Fighting Blindness is excited to announce the launch of its fourth annual #ShareYourVision campaign. This initiative aims to bring attention to the diverse experiences of individuals living with blindness and low vision, providing a platform for their authentic voices to be heard. The campaign underscores the strength of personal stories in challenging misconceptions and fostering greater understanding of vision loss in society.

The theme for this year's campaign is "Your Vision, Your Voice," emphasizing the notion that blindness is not a singular experience. Instead, it exists on a spectrum; each person's journey is unique and worthy of recognition. The Foundation invites individuals who have been affected by blinding diseases to share their personal narratives via social media, creating a community dialogue that helps educate the public and dispel stereotypes.

The #ShareYourVision campaign will feature a variety of influential storytellers who will share their daily lives and aspirations. Among them is Paralympic gold medalist Anastasia Pagonis, who lost her vision at just 14 years old, and Madison Maidenberg, a contestant from Love is Blind Season 9, who was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at 21. These stories, along with those of other content creators such as Eavan O'Neill, who has Stargardt disease and founded a supportive community called Brightside, will highlight the diverse experiences and challenges faced by individuals with vision loss.

Also participating in the campaign is professional video editor Lance Johnson, who shares his experiences with retinitis pigmentosa, and disability advocate Natasha Caudill, who collaborates with beauty brands to promote inclusive design while living with achromatopsia.

This year's campaign is timed perfectly with several significant awareness days in October, such as:

• - World Sight Day on October 9
• - World Mental Health Day on October 10
• - White Cane Awareness Day on October 15
• - World CRISPR Day on October 20

The #ShareYourVision campaign not only seeks to raise awareness, but also comes at a pivotal moment where momentum is building in the search for treatments and cures for inherited blinding diseases. The Foundation Fighting Blindness is at the forefront of critical research, with significant contributions leading to breakthroughs such as LUXTURNA®, the first FDA-approved gene therapy for an inherited eye condition. Currently, more than 50 clinical trials are being conducted across the globe.

"Blindness isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience; it's deeply personal and unique for each individual," stated Jason Menzo, the Foundation's CEO. He further emphasized how the campaign works against the traditional narratives that often limit the perspectives of people with vision loss.

Throughout October, the Foundation Fighting Blindness encourages anyone connected to the community — those with vision loss, their families, and allies — to share their stories using the hashtag #ShareYourVision. By amplifying these voices, the Foundation hopes to inspire conversation, challenge stereotypes, and highlight the urgent need for developments in treatment.

To participate or learn more about the initiative, visit www.FightingBlindness.org/ShareYourVision or follow the Foundation on various social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

About the Foundation Fighting Blindness:
Founded in 1971, the Foundation Fighting Blindness is the preeminent private funding organization dedicated to retinal degenerative disease research. Having raised over $954 million, the Foundation aims to expedite research focused on preventing, treating, and ultimately curing blindness linked to a range of retinal diseases, including retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration. For more details, please visit FightingBlindness.org.