Mary Beth Stillmaker and Sheila Troy Kinsey train for their Congressional Meetings
CHICAGO (March 9, 2007) – A group of concerned parents joined Prevent Blindness America's second annual Eyes on Capitol Hill event, February 28-March 1, 2007, to help educate their legislators about the risks of vision impairment and blindness from acanthamoeba infection. Acanthamoeba keratitis is a contact lens-related infection caused by small, water-borne parasites.
Mary Beth Stillmaker of Illinois, founder of a support group, along with Sheila Troy Kinsey of Iowa and Paige Reichardt from Indiana, victims of the disease, joined their state delegations March 1 on Capitol Hill for a series of meetings at Congressional offices throughout the day. At their Hill visits they raised awareness not only about acanthamoeba keratitis, but also for vision policy initiatives like The Vision Care for Kids Act, H.R. 507.
The group also runs an active online discussion forum to share information about acanthamoeba keratitis at www.preventblindness.net/acanthamoeba.
Paige Reichardt, second from left, front-row, met with Senator Richard Lugar. Also pictured: Mark McDaniel, Indianapolis; Karl Reichardt, Valparaiso; Christy Huston, director of development, Prevent Blindness Indiana; Anne McDaniel, Indianapolis; Patricia Szuch, CEO and president, Prevent Blindness Indiana, and Dan Henkel, Indianapolis.
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 © 2007 Prevent Blindness America ®
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