I’m Julie — and I’m living with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP)

RP is a rare genetic eye disease that slowly steals vision by breaking down the retina’s light-sensitive cells. There is currently no cure. No treatment to stop it. And no way to predict exactly how quickly vision will change.

For me, RP means navigating a world that is gradually dimming — adjusting to night blindness, shrinking peripheral vision, and the constant mental work of adapting. It means planning ahead, asking for help when I need it, and choosing resilience on the hard days.

This year, I’m continuing my Run for Sight at Ottawa Race Weekend by taking on the 59.2 km challenge — running multiple races across the weekend in one powerful commitment to hope.

Every step is personal.

Every kilometre is purposeful.

I’m fundraising in support of Fighting Blindness Canada — Canada’s leading charity dedicated to funding research for blinding eye diseases like RP. They invest in groundbreaking research, support innovative clinical trials, and provide education and connection for Canadians living with vision loss.

Because of this work, there is hope.

Hope in gene therapy.

Hope in emerging treatments.

Hope that one day no one will have to hear, “There’s nothing we can do.”

Your support helps:

• Fund critical research toward treatments and cures

• Advance clinical trials in Canada

• Support families navigating vision loss

• Move us closer to a future without blindness

I may be losing my sight — but I am not losing my vision for what’s possible.

Thank you for supporting my Run for Sight and helping bring light to the future, one kilometre at a time.