A happy OMalley family of five sisters, one brother, father and mother, lived in a row house in Philadelphia. The smallest, youngest, and favorite of was Doris. However, her life changed dramatically at age eleven, and her family and others were devastated.
We were heading to the mall when I realized she was not moving an ambulance was called and at first we didnt know what happened to my little sister. Finally the diagnosis of nephritis was made, Doris was put on penicillin for one year, but this horrible disease struck again. Soon it was evident that Doris lonely, challenging journey was beginning.
Prayer, confidence, and a mothers love brought Doris to a healing. The determined girl then took matters into her own hands. First, off to school for her elementary certificate then a high school diploma. With some financial support from my husband and me, she graduated as a licensed vocational nurse. At age 47, Doris proudly received her diploma, with perfect attendance, and went out into the world beaming and independent.
Tragically, endometrial cancer crept into the single girls life spreading to full blown cancer. Read this remarkable, inspiring story of loss, faith, and the fighting spirit of Doris OMalley.
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Helen Harris has been a tireless advocate for the blind and vision impaired for the past 40 years as founder of Retinitis Pigmentosa International (RPI), The Vision Awards, and Theatre Vision described movies for the blind. Helen has testified before Congress about major issues facing the blind and enlisted the aid of President George H. W. Bush, whom she met at the White House in 1990. She has received the support of major Hollywood directors, producers, and stars including Charlton Heston, Bob Hope, Jon Voight, Sherry Lansing and many others. She commissioned the first medical book written exclusively about retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and has also been responsible for contributions approximating $325 million for research and treatment for RP and other degenerative eye diseases.
Herself a victim of RP, and legally blind for more than 30 years, Helen personally knows all too well the helpless and hopeless feeling of having a disease that is little known, but extremely debilitating. While learning to use the white cane, she sought to prove to the world that despite vision problems, she wasnt blind to life. She took up painting, and with only two art lessons, the young homemaker astounded family, friends and her instructor by showing tremendous innate talent. Encouraged, she plunged into painting with a passion.
Art was tremendous therapy for me in dealing with RP, Helen notes. It was a real boost for my self-esteem. As long as I could do something that only a sighted person could do, I didnt feel quite as handicapped. The harder it became for me to see, the more creative I would get in finding ways around it.
Helen is also an avid writer, poet, and currently working on three other books, including her memoirs.
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