Seeing clearly

SPRING HILL During a regular physical checkup in 2007, Sandy Eckart was given some devastating news.

She was diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy, a complication of diabetes that may cause vision problems or blindness.

In Eckart's case, she now had trouble seeing long distances and reading small text. After several failed surgeries, she turned to the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind, a nonprofit organization that provides rehabilitative services to the visually impaired.

While a client at the Lighthouse, Eckart adapted to her new life by relearning how to do daily chores like cooking a meal, washing laundry and maneuvering through the house.

"They taught me how to be independent in my living skills," she said.

Now as an administrative assistant at the Lighthouse, Eckart, 49, is the one providing support as she shared her story Saturday during a white cane walk to celebrate National White Cane Safety Day at Anderson Snow Park in Spring Hill.

Hosted by the Lighthouse, the annual event shows sighted individuals what it looks and feels like to be blind by allowing them to try on simulator glasses and blindfolds while walking and playing games.

"It shows them how we deal with our eye conditions on a daily basis," she said. "People think that when you're blind you can't do things and you have a disease. You can still do the same things but at a slower pace."

After about 20 minutes of making his way through the park without his sight, Brady Brown, 18, said he was impressed with what visually impaired people struggle with every day.

"It's a great experience because the fact that I have my vision and they don't but they can do exactly what I do is amazing," he said. "They are no different than anybody else."

The Lighthouse executive director Sylvia Perez said the white cane has become a symbol of a blind person's independence ever since Oct. 15 was proclaimed as White Cane Safety Day in the 1964.

Perez, 42, who was born with a degenerative retinal condition, added that the event also helps promote awareness of the White Cane law, which requires drivers to come to a complete stop when they see a pedestrian with a white cane or guide dog crossing the street.

"We want to show people that just because you're blind, it doesn't mean your life ends," she said. "It's a great way to show that when you lose your sight, life does go on if you choose for it to."

For more information, call (325) 754-1132, visit the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind at 6492 California St. or go to www.lvib.org.

hmathis@hernandotoday.com

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