Restore Craig's Vision
Donation protected
I am writing this in hopes to help my dad see clearly for the first time in his life. His name is Craig Hurlburt and he has a condition called macular degeneration. It has caused him to be legally blind his entire life. Macular degeneration is when the center of the retina (back of the eye) deteriorates. It is typically age related, but in this case my dad was born with it and it has only gotten worse over time. Macular degeneration effects how the images we see are sent to the brain. The macula controls our ability to drive, read, and to see people’s faces. My dad has blind spots where his best vision should be. This means he can’t drive, see in a dark room, or find a bathroom in a public place among many other things.
Here is more information about Macular degeneration:
https://www.macular.org/what-macular-degeneration
This is close to what his vision is like, except he has multiple blinds spots.
I constantly find myself amazed by everything my dad does. He is highly functional for the vision he has (20/400 and 20/200). He graduated from GMU with a BS in information technology. While obtaining his education, my dad could not read textbooks. He used special machines that could read textbooks, books on tape, and had several people read his textbooks to him. He spent countless hours in the library trying keep up with his course load. He is an incredibly hard worker; he often stays at work late because he has to use magnifying devices to get through all his work. He has had to work extremely hard his whole life to overcome the struggles his vision has caused, yet he has never seen it as burden. My dad is one of the most positive people I have ever known. Our family often calls him Mr. Happy because he is always so positive, goofy, and always has a smile on his face. With everything he does, people often forget that he has a visual disability.
Recently my dad was accepted into a NIH approved research study (SCOTS) that has the potential to restore some of his vision. The study involves taking his own stem cells and injecting them into the back of his eye. These stem cells can fix the cellular damage in his eye, and help him see clearly for the first time in his life (for more information see below). Unfortunately, the study is not covered by insurance. The procedure will be done in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and will cost $19,600. I would gladly appreciate any help you may be able to offer, with great gratitude. Right now he is planning to take money out of his retirement fund. I can’t begin to describe how much of a blessing this would be to both my dad, and our whole family. He has always been so selfless, dedicated, and supportive I cannot help be feel that he deserves to be able to see. I would like him to be able to see my college graduation, see my brothers and me get married, see a ball game, read a book, and ride a bike. If you would like to help my dad please contribute. From the bottom of our hearts we thank you for helping give my dad the gift of sight.
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01920867
Here is more information about Macular degeneration:
https://www.macular.org/what-macular-degeneration
This is close to what his vision is like, except he has multiple blinds spots.
I constantly find myself amazed by everything my dad does. He is highly functional for the vision he has (20/400 and 20/200). He graduated from GMU with a BS in information technology. While obtaining his education, my dad could not read textbooks. He used special machines that could read textbooks, books on tape, and had several people read his textbooks to him. He spent countless hours in the library trying keep up with his course load. He is an incredibly hard worker; he often stays at work late because he has to use magnifying devices to get through all his work. He has had to work extremely hard his whole life to overcome the struggles his vision has caused, yet he has never seen it as burden. My dad is one of the most positive people I have ever known. Our family often calls him Mr. Happy because he is always so positive, goofy, and always has a smile on his face. With everything he does, people often forget that he has a visual disability.
Recently my dad was accepted into a NIH approved research study (SCOTS) that has the potential to restore some of his vision. The study involves taking his own stem cells and injecting them into the back of his eye. These stem cells can fix the cellular damage in his eye, and help him see clearly for the first time in his life (for more information see below). Unfortunately, the study is not covered by insurance. The procedure will be done in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and will cost $19,600. I would gladly appreciate any help you may be able to offer, with great gratitude. Right now he is planning to take money out of his retirement fund. I can’t begin to describe how much of a blessing this would be to both my dad, and our whole family. He has always been so selfless, dedicated, and supportive I cannot help be feel that he deserves to be able to see. I would like him to be able to see my college graduation, see my brothers and me get married, see a ball game, read a book, and ride a bike. If you would like to help my dad please contribute. From the bottom of our hearts we thank you for helping give my dad the gift of sight.
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01920867
Organizer and beneficiary
Rachel Hurlburt
Organizer
Chantilly, VA
Craig Hurlburt
Beneficiary