Huge congratulations to one of our youngest and most inspiring Lions Eye Institute patients, six-year-old Eamon Doak, on winning the Prime Minister’s Award for Courage late last year.
Eamon presenting at Parliament House in Canberra
Speaking to the topic of “My Hearing Future” at the award presentation in Parliament House Canberra, Eamon told this audience that he and his brother Kealan have Usher syndrome.
Usher syndrome is a genetic condition that impacts vision, hearing and balance.
Eamon’s speech told of how Usher syndrome resulted in both boys needing “super hearing” – also known as cochlear implants, and how lucky they have been to have each received them.
With nothing stopping this determined youngster, Eamon spoke to his career plans and explained that the doctor has said both he and his brother “might lose their eyesight”, but that wouldn’t stop him or get in the way of his future plans. “I am strong, I am going to make the world beautiful,” Eamon said.
While only six years old, Eamon understands the opportunity he has to make an impact by doing something truly brave – telling his and his brother’s story.
The Lions Eye Institute’s Associate Professor Fred Chen and his team of researchers, are working tirelessly to find a cure for Usher syndrome. “We hope to provide answers and a solution to families just like the Doaks in the near future,” Associate Professor Chen said.
“We are so grateful to you, our donors, because without your support we wouldn’t be able to continue this level of detailed research into rare inherited genetic diseases.”
