Colton is just ten years only but he is facing something no kid should have to- the prospect of going blind. Diagnosed at the tender age of four, Colton will lose his sight much more quickly than most who are diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa. Colton has "Leber's congenital amaurosis," the most aggressive form of the disease. I took my son to many doctors at a young age only to hear the same thing, "There is nothing wrong with your son. It takes a while for the eyes to adjust." Frustrated, I finally made an appointment with an ophthalmologist. From there we were sent to UCLA Jules Stein Medical Center. That day I learned my son had the aggressive disease that would leave him completely blind in a few short years. Imagine that- and I thought he just needed glasses!

There may not be much I can do- but as a mother I must do everything in my power to help my son. I encourage people to donate to the Foundation Fighting Blindness (www.blindness.org) located in Owings Mills, Maryland. They are a group of scientists on a mission- to save people from blinding eye diseases. I would encourage everyone who wants to help Colton to donate to them- even five dollars. Every dollar adds up. The more dollars we can generate the closer we are to the cure. The Foundation has, in the last few years, made great strides in research progress.

If you would like to know more about Colton, please visit his page and say hello. www.caringbridge.org/ca/coltonmeyer. We love to get visitors! Thanks to the Plaid 19 for offering to help get the word out there! Our family appreciates it from the bottom of our heart. :)


--Laura Meyer