A contributing artist to the Glaucoma Research Foundation's art show and silent auction, Sandra Hise's shares her journey here as a visually impaired artist with glaucoma. Sandra paints, crochets, sews and is the admin of the Visually Impaired Artists Facebook page.

Please take a moment and read her story. Strength, tenacity and perseverance are the words that come to mind when I think of Sandra. And she is extraordinarily creative. I'm so fortunate to travel this path with her, as she continues to thrive even with a debilitating diagnosis at a young age.

From Sandra, in her own words;

"I have always loved art from the first moment I could hold a crayon. I was always sketching or coloring, doing something creative. I was diagnosed with glaucoma at age 10. I went to Lenscrafters to get a new pair of glasses and they did the glaucoma test. That's how my parents found out. I quickly got in to see a specialist and it wasn't too long after that I started a long history of surgeries.

I've had several people throughout the years tell me I should not do anything with art because of my vision. But I figure that God gave me the gift of creating art for a reason, why not use it until I'm no longer able. So I keep pushing myself, trying different things, and adjusting to this progressive disease. It also gives me much joy to see others enjoy my art. 

Some of my accomplishments - I was featured in a first Friday Art Walk here in Missouri, I also won a first place award in the Ozark Empire Fair art show, and I did a class presentation on my visual impairment and my artwork at a middle school. I've been blessed because the doctors told my parents I'd be blind at 16. But here I am at 45 and I still have one good eye to create with. I humbly thank the Glaucoma Research Foundation for the opportunity to show my work."

Getting to know Sandra and her art has been such a pleasure. Her work with visually impaired artists and her own creativity are inspiring to many. Thank you Sandra for all you do.

If you're interested in attending the annual Glaucoma 360 event and see the artists work on display please click the link below. The Gala will be held on February 8, with the New Horizons Forum and Symposium on February 9 and 10, 2024. The event will be held at the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, CA. 

www.glaucoma.org