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BlindSight is a non-government organization committed to changing lives through vision and learning. Our goals involve establishing self-sustaining eye clinics to provide services that restore sight and products to ensure optimal vision among under served populations. In addition, our hope is to empower individuals to fulfill their personal vision through learning and literacy programs.
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Alongside her husband, Dr. Michael Assell, Dr. Amanda Barker-Assell started the BlindSight organization years ago because mission work is one of their life goals. Giving back not only to their local community, but also under served populations is something that holds a large part of their hearts. To follow The Assell's and Khaleda's story please read our blog:https://theassellfamily.wordpress.com/
Where Does The Name BlindSight Come From?
Although this term has several different meanings to Dr. Barker-Assell, the word itself comes from a true condition called Blindsight. This is a very rare condition and only has a few documented cases. What happens in someone with Blindsight is they are cortically blind. Located in the back of the brain, the occipital lobe, is the part of the brain that sees. And, in these particular individuals, they are blind and see nothing but black. However, if you put them in a room with different obstacles, they are somehow able to walk down the room and avoid all the obstacles. It is like they are able to see each obstacle, but they are unaware they are seeing them.
Dr. Barker-Assell learned about this condition and thought it was fascinating. She began to think about the name and how it applied to her and her life. She found two very personal meanings. One is that she feels like at times she has Blindsight, only opposite of the condition. She feels as though she walks around with perfectly fine sight by medical standards, but sometimes she is blind to the needs that are right in front of her, in her community and internationally. She became more aware of this as they adopted their eldest child, Khaleda. Through their adoption process, both Dr. Michael Assell and Dr. Amanda Barker-Assell learned more about Khaleda’s culture and their needs and what Dr. Barker-Assell has felt blind to in the world. Secondly, BlindSight means a great deal to Dr. Barker-Assell regarding her faith. She chooses to walk by faith, not by sight. This is a deep meaning of who Dr. Barker-Assell is and why she is so driven to have this nonprofit organization.
Although this term has several different meanings to Dr. Barker-Assell, the word itself comes from a true condition called Blindsight. This is a very rare condition and only has a few documented cases. What happens in someone with Blindsight is they are cortically blind. Located in the back of the brain, the occipital lobe, is the part of the brain that sees. And, in these particular individuals, they are blind and see nothing but black. However, if you put them in a room with different obstacles, they are somehow able to walk down the room and avoid all the obstacles. It is like they are able to see each obstacle, but they are unaware they are seeing them.
Dr. Barker-Assell learned about this condition and thought it was fascinating. She began to think about the name and how it applied to her and her life. She found two very personal meanings. One is that she feels like at times she has Blindsight, only opposite of the condition. She feels as though she walks around with perfectly fine sight by medical standards, but sometimes she is blind to the needs that are right in front of her, in her community and internationally. She became more aware of this as they adopted their eldest child, Khaleda. Through their adoption process, both Dr. Michael Assell and Dr. Amanda Barker-Assell learned more about Khaleda’s culture and their needs and what Dr. Barker-Assell has felt blind to in the world. Secondly, BlindSight means a great deal to Dr. Barker-Assell regarding her faith. She chooses to walk by faith, not by sight. This is a deep meaning of who Dr. Barker-Assell is and why she is so driven to have this nonprofit organization.
Khaleda
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Projects
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Glasses Drive
You can drop off old frames at our local Advanced Family Eye Care location. Essilor Vision Foundation+ |
Literacy Related Projects
Camp Dogwood Catawba Springs Elementary Starboard Christian Academy Y-Readers Program |
BlindSight International Projects
Mafredi Belize Clinic:
We are currently working to upfit a vision clinic within a medical building in Mafredi, Belize. In January 2020 this center will be readily available and functional for teams to travel into this area and provide services.
Mafredi Belize Clinic:
We are currently working to upfit a vision clinic within a medical building in Mafredi, Belize. In January 2020 this center will be readily available and functional for teams to travel into this area and provide services.
2021 Race proceeds enable books donation to Catawba Springs Elementary located in Denver, NC
the khaleda run“A butterfly only has fourteen days to live, still it flies joyfully capturing many hearts… sometimes it’s not how long we live but it is how we live it. Each moment in life is precious use it to glorify god. Be a channel of joy, be a blessing to others…”
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In memory of Khaleda, race proceeds will be used to address vision and literacy challenges in our community and abroad. Khaleda understood the raw reality that literacy is power. The ability to read allows an individual to make educated decisions, achieve most any goal, unleash the imagination, get lost on an adventure, and understand truth. No one should be denied this gift.
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Local and International Charity Organization changing lives through vision and learning.
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