Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus
04/18/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/18/2024 14:16
House Passes Schlegel Resolution to Promote Awareness of Retinal Blindness on Behalf of Local College Student with the Disease
Apr. 18, 2024
HARRISBURG - On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed House Resolution 349, sponsored by Rep. John Schlegel (R-Lebanon), designating April 2024 as Retinal Blindness Awareness Month in Pennsylvania.
About 100,000 Americans are afflicted with retinal blindness, a rare genetic disorder that robs them of their sight.
Schlegel sponsored the legislation on behalf of 20-year-old Gracyn Smith of Lebanon County, a sophomore at Coastal Carolina University, who was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa at the age of 5. Retinitis Pigmentosa is a progressive form of retinal blindness for which there is no cure.
"I have known Gracyn for a couple of years and had the privilege of speaking with her recently about retinal blindness and the vision challenges she faces daily. As a fiercely independent young woman, her progressive loss of night vision, peripheral and central vision has forced her to accept assistance when needed.
"Working through the Curing Retinal Blindness Foundation, Gracyn volunteers her time promoting awareness about Retinitis Pigmentosa. In fact, she will be in Lebanon this weekend for an annual event in support of research to prevent and find a cure for retinal blindness. I will be presenting a House citation to Gracyn at the Lebanon Valley Expo Center, where the event will be held, on Saturday, April 20."
Representative John Schlegel
101st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Donna Pinkham
717.260.6452
[email protected]
RepSchlegel.com/ Facebook.com/RepSchlegel
About 100,000 Americans are afflicted with retinal blindness, a rare genetic disorder that robs them of their sight.
Schlegel sponsored the legislation on behalf of 20-year-old Gracyn Smith of Lebanon County, a sophomore at Coastal Carolina University, who was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa at the age of 5. Retinitis Pigmentosa is a progressive form of retinal blindness for which there is no cure.
"I have known Gracyn for a couple of years and had the privilege of speaking with her recently about retinal blindness and the vision challenges she faces daily. As a fiercely independent young woman, her progressive loss of night vision, peripheral and central vision has forced her to accept assistance when needed.
"Working through the Curing Retinal Blindness Foundation, Gracyn volunteers her time promoting awareness about Retinitis Pigmentosa. In fact, she will be in Lebanon this weekend for an annual event in support of research to prevent and find a cure for retinal blindness. I will be presenting a House citation to Gracyn at the Lebanon Valley Expo Center, where the event will be held, on Saturday, April 20."
Representative John Schlegel
101st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Donna Pinkham
717.260.6452
[email protected]
RepSchlegel.com/ Facebook.com/RepSchlegel
Share