Birmingham VisionWalkers Sherry Scelsi knows too well the affects a retinal disease can have on a family. Sherry Scelsibrings her “Clara’s Clique” team to the VisionWalk in honor of her daughter, Clara. Clara was diagnosed with Leber Congenital Amaurosis, an inherited retinal degenerative disease characterized by severe loss of vision at birth, at around 9 months of age and put on her first glasses at 12 months. Sherry and Clara, along with other family members will be joining us at the Birmingham VisionWalk for the first time this year.
To fund cutting-edge research that will lead to preventions, treatments and cures for retinal degenerative diseases – including retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Usher syndrome, and Stargardt disease – that affect more than 10 million Americans like the Scelsi family, the Foundation Fighting Blindness will host its fifth Annual Birmingham VisionWalk on Saturday, Oct.12 at Homewood Central Park.
More than 300 walkers, many of whom are visually impaired, are expected. This free, family-friendly event will have numerous children’s activities such as a bounce house, face painter and balloon artist. In addition there will be refreshments, a DJ and more. Dogs and strollers are welcome on the 3.1-mile walk course.
Since the VisionWalk program started in 2006, tens of thousands of people have participated in events across the country to raise more than $28 million for retinal disease research.
Registration begins at 10 a.m., and the walk starts at 11 a.m. For more visit FightBlindness.org/BirminghamVisionWalk.
