Stories of Transformation
Nothing is more powerful than seeing how our programs work through the eyes of those we serve. These are their stories. They are stories of transformation. Young, middle-aged, older, born with a visual impairment or having developed it with age or because of an accident, Lighthouse Guild has come into the lives of so many people at different points. The common thread in their stories is that we have had a tremendous impact on their lives and our services have inspired them to attain their goals. Below are just a few examples.
Edythe’s Story
Edythe’s progressive vision loss has prevented her from reading anymore. But at 92 years old, she is living proof that there is no age barrier…
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Stephanie’s Story
When Stephanie first came to Lighthouse Guild, her life was at a crossroads. She was losing her sight, preparing to go back to college, and…
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Arnold’s Story
When 86 year-old Arnold, who already had severe vision loss in his right eye, experienced a hemorrhage in his left eye, he was unsure whether…
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Robert’s Story
Robert was a private art dealer and curatorial consultant before macular degeneration eventually forced him to retire. As his vision loss progressed, he was able…
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Devon’s Story
Devon lost his vision unexpectedly due to a stroke that occurred in his eye that damaged his optic nerve. As a result, he has very…
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Diana’s Story
In many ways, Diana is a typical, wonderful 13-year-old girl. She sends texts constantly, loves to hang out with friends, and will break into a…
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Suvro’s Story
Suvro had a satisfying job as an Assistant Professor of Accounting at Borough of Manhattan Community College. That was before his vision deteriorated as a…
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Lori’s Story
Lori is a manager employed by a sports organization. Her area of responsibility is athletes who have disabilities. Previously, she worked as a labor and…
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Sherrill’s Story
Sherrill has glaucoma and gradually lost her vision due to the disease. After her brother’s friend recommended Lighthouse Guild to her, she had a low…
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Haben’s Story
Haben has gone from strength to strength. A graduate of Skyline High School in Oakland, CA, she was one of 14 high school seniors who…
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Shanell’s Story
When asked how Lighthouse Guild has impacted her life, Shanell shares, “Who I am today is not who I was before I lost my vision.…
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Suleiman’s Story
Suleiman is a social worker at a men’s homeless center. He was introduced to Lighthouse Guild decades ago as a teenager. A native of Tanzania,…
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Nisha’s Story
Nisha was born with Cone-rod dystrophy. In her 20s, her vision became worse but she was still able to pursue her educational and career goals.…
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Joseph’s Story
Joseph has worked as an engineer and college engineering teacher. Currently, he serves as a union official. His right eye had to be removed after…
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Elliot’s Story
Elliot has been in show business for 60 years, during which he worked as an actor, writer, singer, musician, director, and producer. With great reluctance,…
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Sekai’s Story
Sekai was 19 years old when a severe accident caused multiple injuries, including the loss of his vision. The physician who was treating Sekai recommended…
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Marta’s Story
When she was eight years old, Marta was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). By the time she was twenty, her vision had started to deteriorate.…
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Cheryl’s Story
When the New York State Department of Health (DOH) put our GuildCare program on hold, Cheryl sought divine help. “My mother kept telling me to…
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Jeremy’s Story
Jeremy, a Lighthouse Guild staff member, has known us both as a scholarship recipient and as a client who received career services. He has been…
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Donna’s Story
About 15 years ago, Donna Elliot’s life began to fall apart. She was performing in an Ionesco play when she felt strange. “I knew something…
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Margarita’s Story
Margarita had awakened from sleep when she saw the spider. “Really big.” It started to crawl down the wall. She stared in horror but it…
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Emily’s Story
Emily is from Flushing Queens, New York. She had always lived in New York, except when she wanted a change of scenery and lived in…
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Nooria’s Story
Volunteers are here to support clients at every step of their journey. Nooria works with three volunteers. An Afghan refugee, she arrived in the United…
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Willie’s Story
Willie worked as the head concierge for a large New York City building for many years. Despite having lost the vision in his right eye…
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Margaret’s Story
Margaret was first connected with Lighthouse Guild when she was six years old. She has Stargardt’s disease and was a patient of the former Medical…
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Sammy’s Story
Sammy (Samantha) is 22 and lives in Queens, New York. She was born with a condition known as Degenerative Myopia, a severe form of nearsightedness…
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Dr. Andrea Lendaris’ Story
Dr. Andrea Lendaris has Usher’s Syndrome, a rare genetic disease affecting hearing and vision. It causes deafness or hearing loss and an eye disease called…
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Camille’s Story
Camille was born with Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), an eye disease that occurs when a baby is born prematurely and their retinas do not fully…
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Sydney’s Story
Sydney was diagnosed with ROP at 32 weeks after being born at 25 weeks. She has been legally blind all her life. She received several…
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Share Your Story
Lighthouse Guild is collecting stories about how eye health programs benefit you and your family. These personal stories are invaluable in showing local leaders how this issue impacts real people. Share your story and help ensure our future health care system reflects the needs of our communities.
