Eleanor and the wonderful guide dog Ava visited six of the Caring and Research & Development Services for the Blind in Ireland to distribute leaflets (pictured below) and promote awareness of Aniridia Day. Eleanor also spoke to their representatives ofNational Council for the Blind of Ireland and ChildVision by phone.
Eleanor is the Irish Representative for Aniridia Network UK, who has aniridia said
We have all worked so hard to bring this day to fruition. I have lived with this condition all my life and finally people are becoming aware of it and this is so important. Knowledge is key. Research into this condition is crucially important as people living with Aniridia are constantly living under the threat of complications which further decrease their vision, leading possibly to blindness.
The Ireland branch of ANUK was launched earlier this year at the headquarters of the NCBI.
NCBI published an article about aniridia in which their Chief Executive said
An international day to mark Aniridia is a hugely significant step in the right direction. This eye condition is highly rare and that brings its own complexities and difficulties. Research into aniridia is ongoing which, coupled with this concentrated worldwide focus on the condition, may lead to a breakthrough.
Huge thanks to everyone for their time and support.
The pictures below feature Eleanor and Ava at:
- Patient Information Booth at the Mater University Hospital
- NRDO – National Rare Diseases Office
- Temple Street Children’s University Hospital, Child Health Department
- National League of the Blind of Ireland, Hill Street
- Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, Ophthalmology Department
- The Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital
- Fighting Blindness
Aniridia Day 