Songs for Sight, an organization benefiting low-vision and eye research, will host an event for children and teens with low vision at Birmingham’s McWane Center on Saturday, Oct. 5. The event will feature structured learning opportunities and a resource fair, along with a picnic supper and McWane Center’s adventure exhibits.
Low vision is a loss of eyesight that makes everyday tasks difficult. A person with low vision may find it difficult or impossible to accomplish activities such as reading, writing, shopping, watching television, driving a car or recognizing faces.
This year’s featured speaker is Jake Olson, a former University of Southern California football player who became totally blind at age 12 due to a rare eye cancer, retinoblastoma. While he had to learn new ways to do simple tasks, he also had to learn ways to continue to do the things he loved. In 2017, he became the first totally blind athlete to play in a NCAA Division-I football game.
Songs for Sight was created to raise awareness and funds for the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the EyeSight Foundation of Alabama. The organization was started by the parents of Alie B. Gorrie, a patient of the center, and since its inception in 2008, Songs for Sight has raised $1 million. In addition to youth support-group activities, Songs for Sight helps the center provide eligible patients with electronic video magnification devices and orientation and mobility services, as well as funding for low-vision research.
The event will begin at 2:30 p.m., and is free and open to the public. For more information, call 205-488-0788 or email lowvision@uab.edu.