Life is a struggle, there are no two ways about it but for some, this battle is far harder than most and Gene Purdie knew that well. The young man grew up in a normal suburban neighbourhood only for his own genetics to end up betraying him.
At just 16 years old, he was diagnosed with an inherited genetic disorder which all but ensured that the teenager would be blind for life. How did Gene overcome this diagnosis to live a full life? And how did he end up finally seeing his family for the first time ever? Read on to find out.
Not Blind By Birth
Purdie wasn’t born visually impaired, overall his eye’s functioned normally and no one suspected that this would change, not even his doctors. Without any signs of his eventual diagnosis, Purdie managed to live a full and healthy childhood.
He remembered reading comic books and playing video games with his friends. Purdie could even recall what his favourite t.v character shows looked like and all in all, he enjoyed an idyllic and full life.
The First Symptoms
Of course, as you already know from the title – that was about to change. Gene first experienced issues with his vision when he was a schoolboy. He would have subtle moments of vision loss which was all but ignored by the young active boy.
After months, he finally told his parents who assumed he was just short-sighted and after a few months of relying on prescription glasses with his vision only worsening with each passing month, it was time for him to see an eye specialist.
Diagnosis
Within just a couple of months of experiencing mild vision loss, Gene was at an ophthalmologist waiting on test results that would forever change in life. The doctor had calmy listened to all of Gene’s complaints but one look at the young boy’s file and he rushed him to the lab.
No parent wants to hear that this young child is sick but sadly, that is exactly the news the doctor had in store for Gene’s parents. The 16-year-old had Stargardt’s Disease, to say that his parents were crushed would be an understatement.
The Grim Reality
The diagnosis was followed by some more tests and then some more and again it was confirmed that young Gene did have the rare genetic eye disease which was all but incurable.
Doctors warned Gene to expect the worst, this was just the start of a long battle with his diagnosis – all of which would end with complete vision loss for the young man. Gene had thought he had his whole life to enjoy in front of him but with just one doctor’s visit, it had all changed in a second.
He Didn’t See Joy
From then on, Purdie learned to live alongside his diagnosis. Like most things, at first it was not easy. He lost friends, connections and was left behind in major life milestones but still the young boy powered through.
He studied hard and got accepted into college and that is where he met Joy, the literal and emotional kind. The two first met in a college lecture and instantly clicked, Joy didn’t see Gene as only his disability and saw the great man he was and could be.
The Perfect Family
From friends to best friends to lovebirds and ending with marriage. Joy and Gene were a match made in heaven and complimented each other in every way. Friends and family were equally impressed by the couple and knew they were going to last forever.
The young family soon grew, with the couple welcoming their first child together. A few years later, they welcomed another. Life was once a struggle for Gene and while he still had his bad days, it was getting easier.
A Family Man
His days of juggling lecture books and stumbling into unknown rooms were behind him. Gene was busy playing with water guns with his children and tucking them into bed every night.
He tried to be a good father to his kids and of course, be a husband worthy for Joy and while his life was “perfect” – Gene always wished, yearned, to be able to see the beautiful faces of his family. A reasonable dream – one which was about to come true.
A Great Chef
Not in love with Gene yet? Well, let us tell you a bit more about the young father’s perseverance. His wife was a complete foodie and so was Gene and rather than have to depend on Joy for always cooking, Gene learned how to navigate around the kitchen himself.
As always, he didn’t let his lack of vision get in the way. Gene started with learning a few of his favourite recipes by heart and practised them until he executed them for his wife, perfectly. And just like that, Purdie became an unlikely chef.
A Quiet Night
Like so many of life’s events, this one also happened on a quiet night. Gene was cooking a meal for the family and Joy was watching T.V, after spending a busy day with the kids. The young mother was actually drifting off to sleep when she saw it for the first time.
Her sleepy mind was instantly pulled into wakefulness when she heard Ray talk about Stargardt’s disease, a rather uncommon disease and definitely not something which would be so commonly discussed. Awake and intrigued, Joy watched her world change.
The Rachel Ray Show
Right in front of her eyes, Rachel Ray, the host of the show called a person with Stargardt’s disease on the stage and what she did next left Joy in tears. Ray explained how the person suffered from Stargardt’s disease and was visually impaired.
She then went on explaining the harsh nature of the disease, all of these details were nothing new to Joy who had seen Gene battle with them first hand. She now assumed that this was nothing more than just a public awareness message about the disease and just as she was about to switch channels – she saw the device.
In Tears
The t.v show’s assistants came in and placed a rather bulky device, which looked like one of the virtual reality headsets her kids always wanted her to buy. Joy’s interest was piqued – were they claiming this device could help those suffering from Stargardt’s disease see?
And if yes, how had Joy never heard of it? But before she could even finish her question, it was answered for her! Yes, the device did work and she saw it in action in front of her own eyes. The man on the show described in dazzling detail the set and people around him, Joy was crying and she knew what she had to do next.
The Letter
She unglued herself from the T.V screen and rushed to find pen and paper. She had to do it now or she would lose her nerve. Joy, full of emotions, penned a raw letter to Rachel Ray recounting her husband’s struggle with the disease and how much the family would appreciate if they too could try out the device.
She wrote, “ I began shaking and crying for the next hour or more at the thought of my husband being able to see my face for the first time, to see our son for the first time.” Of course, she never thought she would get a reply.
New York
Gene and Joy’s story would be rather short if the husband and wife hadn’t gotten a reply from Ray but to their surprise, they not only got a letter back from Ray but was asked if the family would like to visit the studio.
The Purdie family knew this only meant one thing and that could only be good news! The Rachel Ray Show team flew them all to New York for the weekend and after enjoying the city for a few hours, the family was whisked away to the studio.
Backstage
There they all got pampered and had their make-up done, something which Joy enjoyed immensely. And just as the family were on the edge of the seat, it was finally confirmed to them that Gene would also get the chance to use the device!
Backstage, the family was full of nerves – most of all Gene. He hadn’t ever seen his wife or children, in fact, he hadn’t properly seen anything for 15 years and if these glasses worked on him – his whole world would change forever.
The Device
And before he could think more about this, it was time for the family to go on air. Later, Gene would recall everything as a blur except for one thing, his beautiful wife, Joy. After making all the pleasantries and introductions with Rachel Ray, it was time for him to try on the device.
To help audience members and Gene’s family know what was happening, the Rachel Ray Team had hooked a large screen to the device and this allowed viewers to see what Gene could or could not see.
“She’s Pretty”
After 15 years and countless battles, Gene Purdie saw his wife’s face. ” she’s pretty” was all he could manage to say, shocked and bewildered with happiness. Gene’s biggest wish had come true.
Joy was holding their son, tears welling up in her own eyes. She had imagined this moment for countless hours in her mind and for it to finally be happening, she was overwhelmed and began to cry! Even the live audience members couldn’t hold back their tears at this emotional moment.
The Device
“I have been piecing together (images), a little at a time,” Gene said during the show but finally he was able to see his family, crisp and clear. The incredible device which allowed Gene to do this is called eSight.
And without the help of The Rachel Ray Show, it would have been impossible for the family to afford it. Just the basic model costs $15,000 and before footing the bill, Gene wouldn’t have even been sure that it worked for him as well as it did.
Take It Home!
After the segment was over, Gene and his family were still reeling from the experience. They couldn’t believe what they went through and before they could find the words to thank Rachel Ray and her team, the host revealed that she hadn’t another surprise for the family.
The device was theirs to keep! The couple were speechless! They had thought that they would only get to test the device for a short time and had no idea that the t.v show’s team would gift them such an expensive yet life-changing gift.
What Ifs
With the help of eSight, Gene could now play ball with his son, he could literally see his kids grow old and be present in so many more memories. His life’s trajectory was forever changed now, all thanks to one letter.
He wondered what would have happened had his wife not seen that segment on the t.v show and before he let himself be swept away by the What Ifs, Gene decided to enjoy the here and now.
A New Life
Joy took to Facebook to thank the show, she wrote “Thankful to Ray and her amazing team for this priceless gift, your show gave us a new beginning.” and while Gene had never let his diagnosis get the better of him, this truly was just that – a new beginning for the family.
After appearing on the show, Gene went on to spread awareness about Stargardt disease and appeared on many talk shows, urging parents to keep an eye on their children’s vision and of course, thanking the creators of the eSight device.