SeeShore Fest raising awareness on vision loss

A couple of weeks from the fourth annual SeeShore Fest in Dewey, event founder Heather Napolitano said the family-fun afternoon is all about raising awareness.

“When I started losing my vision, we had no idea where to turn,” said Napolitano in an Aug. 7 email about her experience. “Whenever someone hears the words from their eye doctor – you’re losing your vision – I want them to know they’re not alone.”

Taking place Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Starboard, Napolitano said SeeShore Fest has raised $31,650 in the first three years. She said every single dollar goes to the Foundation Fighting Blindness because it costs lots of money to conduct research and clinical trials.

Cape Gazette readers learned of Napolitano’s inspirational story last summer, shortly after the third annual SeeShore Fest raised roughly $11,000. At the time, she said her vision loss became a noticeable problem in March 2013. It took years before a doctor was able to properly diagnose her with capillary nonperfusion, but rather than hide from the problem, Napolitano, with the support of family and friends, created the event to help raise awareness for others going through the same struggles she went through.

“Everyone that knows me, also knows that I love to be out there doing something,” said Napolitano. “SeeShore Fest is that. I may be losing my sight, but not myself.”

Napolitano said the area of her blindness – no central vision except for a small amount in her right eye – hasn’t changed in the past year.

“We call my appointments boring because nothing new happens. It’s good to be boring sometimes,” she said, her excitement one moment followed by sobering reality the next. “There is still no way to bring back the vision I have lost or to ensure I will not lose more.”

Napolitano’s vision may have remained status quo, but she said 2017 was a milestone year in the search to cure blindness. She said the Food and Drug Administration announced approval of the first gene therapy for the eye, made possible, in part, she said, with Foundation Fighting Blindness investments.

Napolitano was quick to thank Starboard owner Steve Montgomery and general manager Keith Kirk for being open to all the crazy ideas.

When Napolitano and husband Dominick started the event, they had little idea where it would go. “But with the help of our amazing family and friends, it has grown every year,” Napolitano said.

Napolitano said there is no charge to enter the Starboard and there will be fun for all ages, including the opportunity to win cash and prizes on the punch-out board, cash cube and raffle.

SeeShore Fest is taking place 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Starboard in Dewey. For more information go to www.facebook.com/SeeShoreFest.