I remember being fitted with hearing aids. I used to say to myself that I am blessed to have my eyes. Little did I know why I was going to Children’s Hospital of Boston. I never could understand why they were looking at my eyes also. I would say, “I am hear for my ears.” (lol.) By age 6, I started having trouble seeing at nighttime. By the time I was in my late 20’s to early 30’s, I started to lose some of my field vision. I could no longer play sports. I couldn’t see up close. I was using my central vision and peripheral. I had to move my eyes back and forth, sort of like scanning, and then used my thought process to fill in the missing blind spots. Of course, this is very stressful and takes a lot of energy from me. I am constantly bumping into co workers all the time. They now stop walking completely when I am approaching nearby. They get my attention by saying “Hi Mark” so I am able to spot their location and slowly maneuver around them.
I am 49 years young and I have been waiting all my life to be helped or cured. I tell people that I am not handicapped, I am challenged. My beautiful wife and I just had a baby girl 13 months ago. I WANT TO SEE and HEAR HER GROW UP. I hope my story helps others realize how hard it is for people like us with Usher syndrome and that my message reaches others who can help our cause. I don’t want to give up hope.
Sincerely,
Mark Rush
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