Legally blind man details journey to 20/20 vision with technology

BRYAN, Ohio — For Bryan resident Benjamin Murray, life is finally clear – but for the first 26 years of his life it wasn’t.  He was born legally blind with optic nerve atrophy.

“I was passed from doctor to doctor, ophthalmologist to ophthalmologist,” Murray recalled.

In August 2015, he heard about a breakthrough technology called eSight, an additional pair of smart glasses that gives the visually impaired 2020 vision. It fits to a patient’s head and can be worn over glasses.

Murray says he was skeptical about testing out the technology, but eventually made the trip to Dayton with his family to give it a try.

“They had me look over at my dad and all I could was just stand there and sob,” he said. “Once I got a hold of myself and realized what just happen, she [an eSight representative] goes, ‘you just saw for the very first time in your entire life.'”

Thanks to a community fundraiser, Benjamin was able to raise $15,000 for his first pair of eSight glasses.

Six years later, now at 32-years-old, he owns the most updated pair, and is on a mission to spread the word of eSight.

“Ben’s heart is bigger than Ben, and he’s a big boy,” said Jim Funderburg, Benjamin’s friend and coworker.

Funderburg says eSight has completely changed his life.

“For Ben, anything that he does takes him a little longer because of the vision. The help with the eSight has been wonderful because he’s caught on a lot quicker.”

Although Ben is still legally blind without eSight, he’s still hopeful for his own future.

“I want to be an eSight coach. They teach people over Zoom and the telephone how to use these.”

But it’s not just his future that he cares about.

eSight isn’t widely covered by insurance.

Benjamin says he wants to petition insurance companies to try to change that.

“There is hope and don’t give up because if you give you might’ve missed a great opportunity.”

This article was published on June 13, 2021 by 24 News and authored by Sophia Perricone.  To read the original article, you can visit this link – https://nbc24.com/news/local/legally-blind-bryan-man-details-journey-to-2020-vision?fbclid=IwAR3Nr0zIooRwjrngaYVE7TjF7js5BBEN-kEBz6quJN26nUhuQlXF6by5Ntk

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About New England Low Vision and Blindness

New England Low Vision and Blindness uniquely brings hope through technology, training, and care.  We are a full-service assistive technology rehabilitation training provider. We offer nearly 100% of all major electronic low vision, blindness, and software products. and have two (2) assistive technology showroom centers – one in Worcester, MA, and a second in Shelton, CT.

At each of our technology showrooms, we provide ‘patient choice’ showcasing numerous technology options from the world’s most respected suppliers, all in line with one’s individualized budgetary limits and personal, educational or professional goals. We also provide custom training solutions and troubleshooting support.

Widely known, tested, and trusted throughout New England, our team brings 75+ years of low vision experience. Our talent, technology, and training offerings are unmatched and highly respected. We are an extremely unique and extraordinary resource for anyone suffering from vision loss in New England. We are here to help.

Through our free demonstrations – either at one of our conveniently located assistive technology showrooms or in their home, office or school – clients experience a relaxed 2-hour free personal demonstration of almost 100% of all low vision and blindness technologies available on the market.

To learn more about how we Bring Hope to people who are blind or with low vision, contact a Technology Specialist at New England Low Vision and Blindness please call our toll-free number 888-211-6933 or email us at info@nelowvision.com.  You can also use the form below to request information about our services or a free demonstration on any of our products: