12-Year-Old Boy with Vision Impairment Hosts Dining in the Dark to Open Classmates’ Eyes to Blindness
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Louie McGee Swims, Kicks, and Sprints Despite Stargardt Disease; Efforts Support Blindness Research **Photos of Louie McGee** “It could get really messy with the meal we have planned for Dining in the Dark, but I’m excited to have kids better understand some of the challenges I face every day,” says McGee, who has lost significant central vision because of a genetic retinal condition called Stargardt disease that currently has no available treatments. It’s a form of juvenile macular degeneration that progressively robs sight and impacts an estimated 30,000-40,000 people in the United States. Despite his vision impairment, McGee is a triple-threat athlete who refuses to sit on the sidelines. As a key member of the school’s track team, he repeatedly places first in his individual 100-, 200-, and 400-meter dash sprinting events. During last soccer season, he was often the leading scorer, and McGee placed third at the state swimming tournament in three events—butterfly, free style, and breast stroke. A new challenge this school year will surely be switching classrooms throughout the day, but his friends are quick to lend a hand and he uses adaptive technology such as a CCTV and iPad to manage his studies. McGee is no stranger to spreading the word in creative ways—he recently finished his second YouTube video, which simulates what he sees—and what he doesn’t see—when navigating the Mall of America. The Dining in the Dark event and his other fundraising efforts support his “Team Louie” for the Foundation Fighting Blindness’ upcoming 6th Annual Twin Cities 5K VisionWalk on Sept. 23 at Lake Harriett Bandshell. As Youth Chair for the event, McGee is going above and beyond to help support research that could one day save or restore his sight. There are promising gene therapy and stem cell clinical trials underway that offer hope and further motivate the McGee family in the fight against blindness. To attend Dining in the Dark as a member of the media, or to set up an interview with Louie McGee and his family, contact Allie Gebhardt at 410-423-0643 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Colleagues of Louie’s father Greg from SapientNitro will support the dinner by volunteering as servers, as well as friends and neighbors. The event costs are fully sponsored by Walman Optical whose employees will also be volunteering. Event Calendar Details
About Foundation Fighting Blindness The Foundation Fighting Blindness is a national non-profit organization driving research that will lead to preventions, treatments and cures for retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Usher syndrome and the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases that affect more than 10 million Americans. Since 1971, the Foundation has raised over $450 million as the leading non-governmental funder of retinal research. Breakthrough Foundation-funded studies using gene therapy have restored significant vision in children and young adults who were previously blind, paving the way for using this method to treat a variety of retinal degenerative diseases, and proving a cure is in sight. With a network of nearly 50 chapters, the Foundation also provides support, education and resources to affected individuals and their families in communities across the country.
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