Running Blindfolded

A local man, Mike Bruno, is running the Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon blindfolded to raise money for ROPARD and awareness of blindness in honor of his daughter Cassie, 7, who is blind.

That's right, a sighted dad is going to run a marathon blindfolded! His friend will run with him as a sighted guide.

Tommy, Summer 2012

ROPARD is near and dear to my heart because Tommy has his retinal surgeries done by Dr. Antonio Capone, a pioneer in pediatric retinal surgery and Co-Medical Director at ROPARD.

Do you see that beautiful red eye in the picture above? That is caused by the light from the camera is reflecting off of Tommy's attached retina. He was not born like that. He was born with detached retinas no "red light reflex" at all. That was surgically achieved.

Tom's eye condition is rare and the only place really funding this type of research is ROPARD. ROPARD established a Pediatric Retinal Research Lab at Oakland University in 2011. That is where future therapies will come from.

Tom visited ROPARD's Children's Low Vision Resource Center the last time we were in Detroit. I highly recommend you make an appointment for a (free) visit the next time you are in the Detroit area.

I got so much good information and Tom got to explore lots of appropriate and adaptive toys, Braille and low vision aids, and educational equipment. They have a little room, light box and many, many items to explore. Please call (800) 788-2020 or email: info@vrrf.org for an appointment.

A table at the Children's Low Vision Resource Center overflowing with information.

Bag of goodies from ROPARD!

But all of those wonderful resources and the important retinal research aren't free. This important work must be supported.

Please consider making a donation to ROPARD and support Mike Bruno (the blindfolded marathon runner) in his courageous run by clicking here - Donate to ROPARD for Mike Bruno & Cassie.

Read the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article about Mike Bruno!