Josue Hits it Out of the Park
Josue S. never really thought that his vision was abnormal, because it has always been the way he sees the world. Diagnosed with foveal hypoplasia and congenital nystagmus (which makes his eyes move uncontrollably), Josue has always had difficulty making out faces, measuring depth perception and recognizing fine details.
Josue has never been one to see those impairments as deficiencies, however. His memories of an early eye surgery – he supposes he was around three years old at the time – are not of pain or trauma, but rather of “eating the best pancakes I had ever had.” The constant eye movement brought on by his nystagmus means, “I’m focusing on everything at once,” and his inability to truly recognize faces means he has become “a great listener.”
Earlier this year, Josue came to The Chicago Lighthouse through the Seeing Is Believing Program, which provides low-vision eye exams and glasses for students through funding partners, including the Lions of Illinois Foundation, Chicago Central Lions Club and Dr. Andrew Barrer. Josue had been to several optometrists in the past, only to come to the conclusion that “glasses just don’t work for me.” Still, he came to The Lighthouse to appease his vision teacher, Bridget Segroves.
At The Lighthouse, Josue saw Dr. Steven Sargent. Through the exam, Dr. Sargent worked with Josue to find a prescription that worked, prompting a smile from Josue and the statement that it was the first time he could really see. They ordered a pair of free glasses through the program, and when they arrived at the school, Josue was so excited to wander the halls reading the signs and posters that had previously been a blur to him.
A child of first-generation Mexican immigrants, Josue is headed to the University of Chicago in the fall, where he plans to major in both political science and creative writing. (As a Chicago Public Schools student, he has secured a near full-ride scholarship to the prestigious school.) Earlier this month, The Chicago White Sox honored the young man’s achievements by having him throw out the first pitch at a game against the Minnesota Twins, despite what Josue calls his “comical unathleticism.”
“At times, I wonder if my life would’ve been better without my eye condition and I used to find myself wishing I was born like the other kids, but I guess I don’t mind,” Josue says. “The University of Chicago, my friends, all my teachers – they’re all so proud of me. While applying, I figured that if I was half the kid everyone else thought I was, then I’d be worthy of being a UChicago student, and if I became a UChicago student, then I guess I don’t mind having shifty eyes.”
The Chicago Lighthouse proudly assists everyone who needs our services, regardless of their ability to pay. If you would like to help someone like Josue receive eye exams, glasses or other services, please visit this page.
