Ryan Hooey remembers when he lost his sight like it was yesterday. He went bowling on a Saturday night eight years ago, and when he woke up on Sunday morning, he couldn't see. He was only 26 years old It is 10 years ago now that Ryan lost his vision.

About the Event

Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was seven, Ryan learned to give himself insulin injections and managed his diabetes as a young adult. He excelled in sports, earning a college baseball scholarship. Despite his family history of diabetes–many members of his family, some of whom are Indigenous, live with type 1 or type 2-and the fact that diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in Canada for people aged 20-65. Ryan never ever expected to experience diabetic retinopathy firsthand.
Ryan is raising awareness about diabetic retinopathy and the need to improve prevention, screening and treatment so people can avoid diabetes-related complications where possible, and also help them afford the costs related to the disease especially when they don’t have insurance. Join this session and learn from Ryan’s insights.
Event Takeaways include:
1. What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
2. The importance of Diabetic Retinopathy Screening
3. Living with Diabetic Retinopathy
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