Meet The McKittricks

 

When my parents first found out that my older brother, Conner, had Usher syndrome, they were devastated. He was born deaf but it wasn’t until he was entering kindergarten that he was diagnosed with Usher syndrome. At that time, there were few resources available and no family support. They felt alone and overwhelmed. So, in 2004, they founded the Hear See Hope Foundation intending to turn the swell of emotions into something positive. The original goal was to cure Usher syndrome in Conner’s lifetime – and when I was diagnosed in 2008 - mine as well. Along the way they met many knowledgeable researchers that are still doing all they can to find a cure. They also discovered other families impacted by Usher syndrome in search of a supportive community.
 

My parents were instrumental in founding the Usher Syndrome Coalition – now a global force in connecting USH families to researchers, resources and each other. With all these brilliant minds working together, there have been significant breakthroughs in Usher syndrome research in the last few years and there is more hope than ever that a cure is in sight.

I am so thankful that my parents built this foundation. Now that Conner and I (and our brothers Cole & Hunter) are older, we have taken up the mantle, not just to find a cure, but to advocate and spread awareness about Usher syndrome and deafblindness. Conner loves to tell his story, in hopes that he can inspire others with his positive outlook. I have taken my advocacy to Washington D.C. to lobby lawmakers for more support. Cole, has planned fundraisers and taken USH to new heights - the summit of Kilimanjaro. Hunter is one of our biggest cheerleaders and is always willing to help. It’s a family effort.

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So, I ask for your support. Please help us make a difference by donating to our fundraising efforts for preventing, treating and spreading awareness of Usher syndrome – with the ultimate end goal, of course, the hope of cure.

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​If you have a loved one with USH – or have been diagnosed yourself – I would love to hear from you to see how we can work together to bring hope for a cure and do more for the USH community. Hear. See. Hope.

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- Dalton McKittrick