Recently, 10 year-old Caitlyn Michiels of “Caitlyn’s Vision” donated a total of 300 light covers for every Elementary School within the William Floyd School District. Not only do these light covers help students with visual impairments, they also help students with attention disorders and epilepsy as well. Caitlyn has created the nonprofit called “Caitlyn’s Vision” after her diagnosis of Anterior Bilateral Uveitis, which is the third-leading cause of blindness in children.
Caitlyn’s Vision raises funds to promote eye health and safety. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Caitlyn did not give up on her mission. Caitlyn along with help from her mother Kim, created an online fundraiser through Facebook which not only helped support her mission but also allowed the community to experience a fun way to give back. Along with the virtual fundraisers, she continued collecting used eyeglasses thanks to her collection boxes located in every Legislative office in Suffolk County. “I was so sad that all of my fundraising was cancelled because of COVID. All I want to do is help other kids like me,” said Caitlyn. “I just had to find a new way to do it. I am thankful to Legislator Sunderman and the whole Legislature for helping me collect eyeglasses and bring awareness to children’s eye health and safety.”
“Caitlyn has never allowed an obstacle to stand in her way. She did not let uveitis stop her and she has not let the COVID shut her down, either. She is still working hard to help others, just in a non-traditional manner,” added her mother, Kim. To date, Caitlyn’s Vision has collected hundreds of used glasses and has raised $25,000 towards scholarship funds and purchases of more light covers. On September 1st, Caitlyn also held a Blood Drive partnered with the Mastic Beach Ambulance Company and the New York Blood Center booking every donation slot the event held. This is just the beginning for Caitlyn and her journey with Caitlyn’s Vision and she is looking forward to supplying more light covers to even more school districts.
