Through Courage and Compassion, Zori Singh is Flying High

Sixteen-year-old Zori Singh has good reason to feel unlucky. Severe nearsightedness and retinitis pigmentosa have already diminished his vision to 20/100. He has difficulty seeing in the dark, and navigating hills and inclines can be tricky. The prognosis for his vision is not good; it will inevitably keep getting worse unless a treatment is found. The Singh Family But Zori continually amazes people with his compassion and unselfishness; he’s not bitter about having significant vision loss. It’s the way he’s always been. His mother, Sukhi, recalled one moment of his incredible compassion when he first told her that he knew he had RP, despite his parents’ efforts to keep that fact from him. She said, “I began to cry, and because Zori couldn’t see my tears, he put his hands on my face to feel the tears. He often does that. He will put his hand on my cheek to feel the tears.  Mom, I’m going to be ok! Don’t cry, I’m going to be ok! He was comforting me while he was going through this awful thing himself.”  While dealing with fading vision has been challenging for Zori, he never imagined the sudden and dramatic turn his life would take on March 28, 2009. On that day, Zori went for a ride in a small airplane as part of a field trip for local kids with visual impairments. He loves airplanes and cars, so this adventure was right up his alley. But Zori’s flying excursion was much briefer and far more adventurous than he had bargained for. The plane crashed in a marsh just seconds after take-off. All four passengers survived, but Zori suffered seven broken bones in his face and a fracture of a vertebra in his neck that came frighteningly close to causing paralysis or severe neurological damage. Zori has had major surgeries on his neck and face, and recovery has been challenging. Sukhi was especially relieved to learn that Zori’s eyes were unaffected by the accident. “Not his eyes I thought. I was so relieved when the doctor said they were ok,” Sukhi said. Many friends and family came to visit Zori as he recovered in the hospital, but in spite of his injuries, he was as interested in how they were doing as they were interested in him. “We have one close friend who had knee surgery weeks ago, and Zori asked him how his knee was.  He’s more worried about others than himself,” said Sukhi. It’s clear that Zori learned sensitivity and understanding from his family, who has rallied to brighten his future by raising money for the Foundation Fighting Blindness. His mother, his father, Paul, and older sister, Tasmin, have raised significant revenue for research through the VisionWalk program. Sukhi’s fundraising letter-writing program was particularly effective in generating gifts. They are all very excited about recent research advancements such as the gene therapy clinical trials, and the promise they bring for saving Zori’s vision. Sukhi is secretary of FFB’s Silicon Valley Chapter, and the entire family has volunteered at their local chapter meetings. Sukhi has also assisted other chapters in holding Day of Caring and Sharing events, which involve the formation of supportive groups of people affected by similar retinal degenerative diseases. She has been particularly helpful in speaking with other parents of affected children. Zori might not be taking another plane ride for some time, but thanks to his strength and courage, and the unwavering support of his family, there is no doubt Zori has a bright future ahead of him. “This kid will be ok. We are very, very proud,” said Sukhi. And thanks to the Singh family’s passionate support of the Foundation’s mission, there’s real hope that Zori, and millions of others affected by retinal degenerative diseases, will enjoy a lifetime of clear vision.

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