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February 2, 2009 - Judy Kahl knows how to create a buzz. More than 200 people jammed into the Shadow Wood Country Club in Estero last week to join her in a fashion show/fundraiser to benefit Foundation for Fighting Blindness. Everyone in the room wore a sparkly bee pin that Judy designed to support her favorite cause. Judy, 64, suffers from "Ushers Syndrome," an inherited progressive disease that causes hearing and vision loss. But Judy, a Bonita Springs mother of three and grandmother of seven, doesn't sit around thinking about it. "Nothing slows her down," said Sally VanBuskirk, president of the Southwest Chapter of Foundation for Fighting Blindness. Sally's family has struggled with blindness for the past five generations and marvels at Judy's tenacity and ability to inspire others. "People with limitations go higher and raise themselves up and everyone with them," Sally said. "She believes more than 100 percent in what she is doing and that's why it's contagious." Judy began wearing hearing aids at age 7. At 25 she suffered the beginning stages of night blindness and learned it could eventually steal her sight. "There was no cure, no treatment, no information whatsoever," Judy said.
Two years ago, her sight and hearing worsened. She chose to have cochlear implant surgery. "I'm back in the hearing world because of the implant surgery," she said. "That is a miracle. I'm hearing things I've never heard before." But there is no treatment for her declining vision. The disease is attacking her central vision - her only remaining vision. She's pouring her energy into raising money to find a cure for blinding retinal degenerative disease such as macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, and Usher syndrome. "I'm going to work my self silly," she said. "I am confident that with proper funding, FFB will find a cure. There is hope for the first time in my life." Her first major accomplishment has been designing the bee pin: FFBees. She plans to make the bees a national symbol and spread the buzz about preventing blindness. Her family supports all of her efforts. Her daughter Katrin Testa, 35, traveled from Pittsburgh wearing her bee pin and sat with her mother at the fashion show. "We're so proud of her," Katrin said. "She's our source of inspiration. She showed us everything is possible. There's never an excuse." Judy's goddaughter, Lori Kees of Dallas, also came to root for her and wiped away a few tears. "She's amazing and has done a phenomenal job of relaying her vision for the foundation," Lori said. Judy's husband Joe Kahl watched the fashion show from the sidelines wearing a big smile. "She's got a great attitude and she never gives up," he said. "All of these people - neighbors, friends and And Judy is grateful for everyone who supports her vision for the future. One person can make a difference, she said. "The bee should not fly because of the size and weight of its body," she said. "It flies and so will we." Additional Facts Judy created a sparkling bee pin to "create the buzz we need to raise funds." Here's why she wants you to send away for one of her bee pins. "Now, I realize that not everyone likes bees because they do sting. Well, Usher's has been the stinger of my life and I am ready to make this bee a 'worker bee' so that she can become my 'honey bee' for finding a cure and treatment for all retinal degenerative diseases. So, here is my plea....will you BEE my friend? I want to send anyone and everyone a pin who will send a donation to FFB." In order to get a bee make a donation and send a check to: Foundation for Fighting Blindness. Att: |
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