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Legally Blind Triathlete Champion Micheal Stone to Give Motivational Talk at Book Signing - August 13, 2011
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July 26, 2011 - The Foundation Fighting Blindness Jacksonville Area Chapter will host a free event featuring 10-time Ironman triathlete and XTERRA champion Michael Stone. Also an author, coach, trainer, public speaker, and multisport shop owner, Stone is affected with a rare vision-robbing disease called cone-rod dystrophy that causes his world to be painfully bright. The presentation will take place on Saturday, Aug. 13, from 10:30 a.m.-12 noon at the University of North Florida’s Student Union Building (Room 3804), 1 UNF Dr., Jacksonville, FL. Stone’s inspiring message stems from gradually losing his sight to retinal disease after a 2004 diagnosis, but not letting vision limitations stop him from pursuing his goals. Since May, Stone has experienced more significant vision loss and recently started using adaptive aids to help guide him in his everyday life. Often the only visually impaired participant competing in a race, Stone relies on guides like his friend and former XTERRA Pro Jared Berg, who help him navigate the races by calling out warnings and directions. He has competed solo in 10 Ironman Triathlons including the Ironman Triathlon Championship in Hawaii, is the current USA XTERRA Champion in his division, and took second place at the 2010 XTERRA World Championships, a race that includes sports he had typically shied away from, such as mountain biking on rugged terrain.“I saw people who had greater sight limitations than mine doing amazing things,” Stone, of Boulder, Colo., shares. “I realized I had become one of those people who was living in a significant amount of fear. An attitude adjustment led me to continuously push my own limits and work to inspire others facing blinding diseases to live life to the fullest. The path doesn’t come without hurdles, like a recent rattle snake bite I got during training, but spreading the message of empowerment and driving research through the Foundation Fighting Blindness creates hope for me and millions of others.” Stone’s recently published book, “Eye Envy,” tells the story of blind people who have lived extraordinary lives and offers inspiration and guidance to those living with blinding diseases. Now working on his second book, “Living Life by Feel,” Stone also works to spread awareness through the Race To Cure Blindness program that he co-created to dedicate his racing to advancing sight-saving research. The platform allows athletes across the country to participate in any racing event to raise money for the Foundation Fighting Blindness, the world’s largest source of non-governmental funding for retinal degenerative diseases. Copies of “Eye Envy” will be available for purchase and signing at the event, and all proceeds benefit the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Additional information about retinal diseases, research and coping will be available for attendees affected with macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, Usher syndrome, and related retinal conditions. One of 50 volunteer-led Foundation chapters in the U.S., the Jacksonville Area Chapter provides support and education to affected individuals through events and networking opportunities. People are required to RSVP to Lori Johnson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 866-782-7330 by Aug. 5. |
