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Austin's Dream

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My name is Austin, I am 14 years old. I love to play all sports and compete with my dad, brother and friends in video games. I  recently was Confirmed and my Confirmation Verse is from 1 Timothy 6:12, "Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called". I never imagined that I would have to lean on my faith so soon. On May 4th 2018 I was diagnosed with Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON). There is no cure or treatment for LHON at this time. LHON is a very rare genetic disorder, that is passed on through a mutant mitochondria to predominantly male children in the beginning of adolescence. What this will mean is that I will lose my central vision within a matter of months.  My left eye is already fully affected, and the right is beginning to lose focus. I will be legally blind. I will not be able to read, drive a car, participate in many sports or play video games. I will not be able to do anything that requires fine motor skills, no more building birdhouses, or taking things apart and putting them back together.
I am working on staying positive and finding things that I CAN do. I have taken a real interest in keeping my body fit and healthy by working out. I also will be working on keeping my mind fit and healthy.
I have started the application process to get a guide dog, I want to stay as independent as I can. There are many adaptive devices for blind people today, but these are also very expensive and not covered by any insurance. I am hoping you will be able to help me obtain some of this new technology like eSight, which are special glasses for people with central vision loss, as well as some home work out equipment and an IPad Pro with Livescribe pen and paper.  
These pictures show what my vision will be like very soon: 
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    Organizer

    Kim Danko
    Organizer
    Oconomowoc, WI

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