Celebration of Light

Introduction

by Elaine Voci, Ph.D.

Our eyes are sacred.  We understand that we have been given one pair, most of us, from birth and they have to last us a lifetime.  When we think of losing our sight, it strikes fear in our hearts.  We quickly imagine all that we would miss: the faces of our loved ones, the many beautiful sunrises and sunsets we have been inspired by, and the independent lifestyle we have taken for granted.  For most of us, being sighted is central to the experience of being totally, fully human.

When disease or disabling conditions threaten our sight, or that of a loved one, it is difficult at first to muster the clarity of mind to know what to do.  In this age of machines, many of us go to the World Wide Web and begin researching everything we can get our hands on.  We access medical information that just a decade ago was unavailable to all but the medical professional.  It brings comfort and knowledge, but can also add confusion and even misinformation.  If only we could find and talk to someone else who has faced the same challenges, we may think to ourselves.

And that is the first reason why this book was written.

The stories in Celebration of Light are a generous gift of the human spirit from a group of individuals who faced vision challenges, and in some cases, the loss of sight.  Some of them struggled for years just to find out what was wrong with their eyes.  As children, many endured the painful experience of being made to feel different, a stigma that continues today for the visually impaired.  Each of them dealt with their circumstances through various coping strategies, such as humor, risk-taking, a tireless quest for information, and the loving support of friends and family. 

Knowledge is power. Understanding the condition we face, what our options are and what to expect from treatment instills strength, courage and hope in us.  We move from the darkness of fearful imaginings to the light of informed choices. 

That is the second reason why this book was written.

Dr. Francis Price, Jr., helped these patients make wise choices about their vision.  An internationally recognized ophthalmic surgeon, he has been named one of the top physicians in the country for corneal disease and transplantation by THE BEST DOCTORS IN AMERICA and, in 2005, Ophthalmologist of the Year by the Indiana Academy of Ophthalmology.  A diligent and prolific researcher, he has published more than 80 study articles in peer-reviewed journals and served as Principal Investigator in 62 clinical research studies.  His observations in the Foreward provide insight into some of the common corneal conditions, including Fuchs’ Dystrophy and keratoconus, as well as some unusual ones like aniridia.

The individuals whose stories are featured in Celebration of Light provide practical and spiritual advice to readers:

•     Do your homework

•     Seek support from other people

•     Evaluate medical resources

•     Find the best physicians

•     Continue to have faith in the future

•     Be grateful for each and every day for it is a blessing

That is the third reason why this book was written.

All proceeds from this book go to the Cornea Research Foundation of America which was started in 1988 by Dr. Price.  He was prompted by the desire to do something no one else was doing at the time: to keep track of the outcomes of corneal transplants. Within ten years, the Foundation amassed the largest cornea transplant database in the Western Hemisphere that continues to help surgeons enhance long-term graft survival.