Ron Santo

Dear Mr. Ron Santo,
I wanted to write you to say thanks for being such an inspiration to me. Now, if your experience as someone with a disability is anything like mine you may find those words to be rather trite. Please know that I mean those words sincerely and I don't use them often.
I was born with Glaucoma- a disease of the eyes. I lost both of my eyes to this disease and now wear prosthetic eyes instead. Yesterday I saw your movie, This Old Cub
and I was touched by the openness with which you discussed the amputation of your second leg. For me, Mr. Santo, the decision to evisorate my eyes was one that I knew was the right one for me. My disease was a rather painful one and I was tired of making trips to the ER to be medicated intravenously to regulate my inter ocular pressures. The disease was getting in the way of my life and having the operation made it possible for me to get on with things. I enjoy life a lot better without chronic pain.
In 2004 I was a member of the US Paraolympic team that competed in Athens Greece. We took the silver metal in my sport, Goalball. This was an incredible experience for me that I might not have had if I had continued to struggle with the effects of my disease.
I have never seen this view of illness represented in the media before. I respect you for telling your story; it's helped me to feel better about myself.

Thank you. You are certainly a member of MY personal hall of fame.