At the age of 6, Samantha Kramer was diagnosed with a moderate form of retinitis pigmentosa, a hereditary condition that causes gradual blindness to peripheral vision as well as night blindness.
She learned she would have to adjust to this condition for the rest of her life. Today, she still possesses some degree of peripheral vision, but is completely blind at night.
Now a third-year sociology student at UCLA, Kramer takes an active role in combating blindness. This Sunday, Kramer will participate in the fifth annual Los Angeles VisionWalk at UCLA.
The event aims to bring focus to the visually impaired, as well as urge the medical community to keep researching a cure for blindness, said Alayna Tatum, events director for the walk.
This year, Kramer organized a team made up of UCLA students ““ called Team BruinVision ““ to participate in VisionWalk 2011. So far, 27 students have signed up to walk with Kramer.
As a child, doctors always knew to test her for the condition because it was highly likely she and her brother would inherit it from their mother. Her mother, who has lived with a more serious form of the condition for much of her life, is unable to drive, Kramer said.
As a child, Kramer and her family relied heavily on her father for support and guidance, especially at night.
“My dad was our chauffeur,” Kramer said.
While Kramer was in high school, her mother encouraged her to become involved with the Foundation Fighting Blindness, an organization devoted to finding a cure for visual impairment, as a way to stay optimistic in her struggle with retinitis pigmentosa.
Kramer said her motivation for remaining positive comes from her mother.
“My mom wanted us to feel like we were empowered to change our own lives and realities,” she said.
When she arrived at UCLA and was away from her father for the first time, Kramer said she faced a whole new set of challenges in dealing with her condition, including navigating through people in the dining halls.
But since moving to campus three years ago, Kramer has built a strong support system of friends, which she said has allowed her to experience UCLA after dark.
Kramer said she has two friends who are diligent about taking her out in the evening so that she doesn’t miss out on social activities other students can participate in at night.
The VisionWalk event is sponsored by UCLA’s Delta Gamma sorority, which has been involved in different organizations and events that fund research for a cure for blindness. Ruth Billow, a blind student and UCLA Delta Gamma alumna, started a philanthropy organization for the visually impaired 75 years ago, said Julianne Marshall, a second-year environmental science student and director of philanthropy for Delta Gamma.
The Delta Gamma sorority has volunteered at the Los Angeles VisionWalk since UCLA began holding the event four years ago.
Kramer said she does not begrudge her condition ““ instead, she is excited to see her friends and fellow UCLA students participate in the event and support the search for a cure to blindness.
“This is my reality. I can’t conceptualize living any other way, so I try to be as positive as I can,” she said.