In Autumn of 1988, Jack and Priscilla Buckelew took their 5-year-old daughter Lisa to the optometrist after a failed vision screening at school caused alarm. For the next 16 years, severe nearsightedness, astigmatism and thick glasses were Lisa's companions until LASIK surgery on both eyes at age 22 allowed her finally see the big clock on the wall across the room without help. Around the same time, Jack was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a rare genetic disorder that destroys cells in the retina-the light sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye. As the years passed, he lost the ability to drive at night, see in low light conditions, or use his peripheral vision. Later, Priscilla was diagnosed with macular degeneration, which is when the central portion of the retina (the macula) deteriorates. This is the leading cause of vision loss, and is incurable. Lisa's oldest son, also named Jack, experienced sudden vision deterioration at age 10, leading to full-time glasses. Today, Lisa Cole is a skilled writer and independent publisher who has dedicated her life to children, education and the nonprofit world. She lives in Cayce, South Carolina, with her husband, four children, brindle pitt and beagle named Betty White.
