When you are younger it is probably a rite of passage that you think that nothing will ever happen to you. I recently was given a book that was entitled, “Wear Sunscreen.” The entire book was dedicated to young people through the eyes, almost literally, of an older generation. You may not want to wear sunscreen but do it to protect your skin. You may not want to wear sunglasses, but do it to protect from Macular Degeneration. There are just some things in life that you may think will never happen to you but if you are fortunate to live long enough, they will probably happen.

I was adopted so there is not a lot of family history that I know about but I was able to gather some medical information about my history based on my own genes in my body. I carry what they call a gene that will most likely cause Macular Degeneration in my eyes. This gene was something that was passed down from generations in my family. I do know a little about my natural birth mother and she could see fine until she passed away at the age of 87 so I am guessing at this point that the gene was from my father’s side of the family.