ESight Glasses for Fred Reason

I am writing this letter for the benefit of my father in law Fred Reason,and my mother in law, Lill, his wife, of 47 years. We are fundraising for Fred, a dear family member who is legally blind.
Fred and Lill were both born weeks premature and at a time when the primary goal for premature infants was to save their lives, often during this process excessive oxygen was administered and severe eye damage resulted, many times in complete blindness. Fred and Lill are both blind. Fred was left with about 10% vision and his wife, without any vision at all. Fred can only see the world in a blur of shapes,motions and colors.Fred met his future wife Lill at Jericho School for the blind, they later married, raised a son Alen and remain together till today.
Fred was able to learn to read but the print had to be at the end of his nose for him to see it. As Fred aged his vision deteriorated to about 5% and after cataract surgery his vision was bumped up to approximately 10% where it remains today.
Despite the handicap of being completely blind Fred and Lill were never a burden either to society or their families.
Fred and Lill have both had a very successful life and are a joy to be around both for his son, grandson and daughter in law.
Fred supported his family by attending BCIT and completing courses in Radio  Broadcasting and went on to work at CJVB..
Fred worked for CJVB from 1986 – 1998,  up to the time that  new technology was brought in and due to the vision deficit  he was unable to continue in this field. CJVB was  a multicultural radio station and while Fred didn't speak 23 languages he easily worked within them, as a board operator, at times teaching foreign language producers how to do radio.

I have been searching for ways to assist my father in  law and came across a page called “eSight”.

eSight stands for electronic sight, and is a breakthrough digital eyewear device that replicates natural sight for people like Fred.

Fred,Lill and myself and our four yr old son went to the clinic to try the esight glasses and we  were completely  blown away by the fact that without any other aids and within a minute after Fred put these “glasses” on he was able to see quite well and easily identify his wife, myself and his grandson from across the room. It was an extremely emotional experience for us all. FRED COULD SEE!
The technician estimated his vision at 20/40.
So here's the problem eSight is an FDA approved, Class 1 medical device. But, it is not yet covered by insurance or the government., Fred's and Lill’s combined income on seniors pension is low, about $27,000.00 per year. There isn't even enough room in their budget  to save for something like this. We really need your help to enable Fred to have a better life  for both him and his wife.

The total amount needed for E-Sight glasses for Fred is about $12,500.00.

The members of the Elks and Lions Clubs of Toronto wish to put as many sets of E-Sight glasses under the Christmas trees of the people who need them as possible.

Their kind members of the Toronto Elks and Lions Clubs have offered to match .50 cents on every dollar raised dropping the amount needed to about $9,000.00. This offer will be in effect only until January 1,2018.

As we were not even  aware of E-Sight until recently we now are faced with a time sensitive urgency that is causing us to appeal to the general public for assistance. Any and all assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your consideration in this very important endeavour.
Imagine the gift of sight for Christmas.

Gratefully,
Jody Whalley, Alen Reason and the entire Reason & Whalley family.

Note: When Fred was asked what was the first thing he would  do when he could actually see, he replied, “be a better guide dog for his wife”!

These glasses will serve to enhance both of their lives in a way none of us ever dreamed possible.

Thank you again.