By Brinjal Patel
News Editor, Maine West Westerner
In hopes of strengthening vision care research and blindness prevention programs, junior Jackie Stillmaker flew to Washington, D.C. two weeks ago and to tell her story of being diagnosed with Acanthamoeba Keratitis, an infection of the cornea that required three cornea transplants.
Stillmaker met with staff from Illinois senators Barack Obama and Dick Durbin, and Illinois Representative Mark Steven Kirk’s office to discuss the country’s future eye health care and reveal her personal story. Stillmaker was given the opportunity to meet with staff members working in Congress through Prevent Blindness America, an eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and preserving sight. After discovering PBA trying to push a bill protecting eye sight, Stillmaker’s mother submitted an application for Stillmaker to attend "Eyes on Capitol Hill."
Prevent Blindness America’s Eyes on Capitol Hill gave individuals who have suffered eye problems the chance to tell their congressional representatives and senators about the importance of vision health policy for all Americans. "It was so interesting and I met so many people with so many different eye diseases," Stillmaker said. "I met a guy who has had 20 surgeries. He was trying to dilute chemicals in his backyard pool, and the chemicals exploded. After all that, he still has a great sense of humor."
Stillmaker was diagnosed with Acanthamoeba Keratitis after swimming while wearing her contact lenses. Acanthamoeba are small water-borne parasites. The parasite was trapped beneath her contact lens and spread because it was not diagnosed early. Stillmaker’s mother has formed a support group called MAAD – Mothers Against Acanthamoeba Disease. "When Jackie first got the disease I felt alone. Now, other people have contacted me through Jackie’s articles in the paper, and we have formed a support system," Marybeth Stillmaker said.
Jackie Stillmaker was initially nervous about meeting with the staff members from Congress. "It was really such a good experience. I think we got our point across and made the staff members see that we need more research because 50 percent of all blindness is preventable. We want to get labels on contact lens boxes so people know not to go in the water with their contact lenses on," Stillmaker said. "People can e-mail their senators and help make sure the bill gets passed."
The "Vision Preservation Act of 2005" has been introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives and if passed the legislation would strengthen vision loss research and prevention programs at the National Institutes of Health and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "I think that vision care research is definitely an important and developing thing in the country. It is a good cause to support," senior Meghann O’Connell said. Anyone interested in making sure the bill gets passed can write their congressman through Prevent Blindness America’s website: www.preventblindness.org.
Republished with permission of the Maine West Westerner
Click here for a pdf file of the original article.
Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness America is the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness America touches the lives of millions of people each year through public and professional education, advocacy, community and patient service programs and research. These services are made possible through the generous support of the American public. Together with a network of affiliates, divisions and chapters, Prevent Blindness America is committed to eliminating preventable blindness in the United States. For more information, or to make a contribution to the sight-saving fund, call 1-800-331-2020.
Copyright © 2006 Prevent Blindness America ®
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