New video stars blind teen "driver" revealing his desire to see - and he has a message for other teens
The Smedley family of Bucks County teamed up with Bucks based ShadowBox Pictures to create an all new awareness video for the Curing Retinal Blindness Foundation, a Bucks based 501c(3) Co-Founded by the Smedleys, which funds research for treatments and cures for CRB1 blindness, a rare disease two of the three Smedley children have.
The Video: Michael, a “typical” teen aged new driver, is out for a driving lesson with his parents. It is a beautiful day, and Michael and his parents are cruising in a stylish BMW convertible. There is the “typical” bickering between him and his parents over the radio, use of turn signals, etc… and then the father has had enough and says “OK get out. I am driving.”
Michael exits the car and the audience finds out something surprising, something they did not expect when he talks directly to the camera to explain why his family created this video. Michael is blind now, but hopes to drive one day, just like his friends.
“Parents, they’re so annoying. But, I wish I could have this situation (arguing with them) It’s a very exciting time. All of my friends are getting their learner’s permits and driver’s licenses, but I can’t do that yet.”
– Michael Smedley, 15, blind CRB1 retinal disease
This video was produced by ShadowBox Pictures of Yardley, PA
For more information and to schedule interviews contact:
Kristin Smedley, President CRBF
About CRB1 Retinal Disease
This disease affects approximately 80,000 people worldwide. Children with CRB1-LCA are almost completely blind from birth. Children and adults with CRB1-RP have quite a bit of usable vision, but most deteriorates rapidly in mid-late teens or early 20s. Most CRB1 patients are Braille readers and white cane users.
The Curing Retinal Blindness Foundation (CRBF)
CRBF Co-Founders, Mike and Kristin Smedley, star in the video with their oldest affected son. The CRBF mission is to fund treatments and cures for CRB1 retinal disease. It has raised nearly $1 million for CRB1 research since its launch in 2011. The CRBF is currently funding 5 projects worldwide and adding one more in summer 2015. The CRBF is actively seeking to fund additional research projects specifically targeted to the CRB1 retinal disease.
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