SeeShore Fest tackles blindness with community’s help

Heather Napolitano says one of the toughest things with vision loss is that it isn’t always apparent to others. 

“I’m president of both Rehoboth Elementary and Beacon Middle School PTO boards because I love to be around and meet new people,” she said. “But there’s a high chance someone I’ve already met is standing right in front of me and I can’t make out their face. Please say hello! It is truly my biggest fear of vision loss. So I just say hi to everyone.”

Napolitano began losing her vision in 2013. She has a working diagnosis of autoImmune retinopathy, meaning her body is attacking her retina. Currently, there is no cure. She relies heavily on her peripheral vision, so what she sees often resembles an abstract painting.

In 2015, she and her family launched SeeShore Fest to raise awareness and fight sight loss. To date, the event has raised $135,958 for the Foundation Fighting Blindness and The Eye Institute. In 2023, FFB funded 93 research grants, helping to advance preventions, treatments and cures for blinding retinal diseases, she said.

“We chose these two beneficiaries because the FFB gives us hope of a cure and Dr. Erin Kenny from The Eye Institute has provided me with devices that allow me to still operate my phone, enlarge small print and watch my daughter Laityn cheer and my son Dax play lacrosse,” Napolitano said. 

SeeShore Fest helps her family stay positive that one day doctors will figure out how to stop the progression, Napolitano said. 

“The event also helps us truly realize how incredible our community is,” she said. “Businesses, restaurants and individuals donate incredible items for our famous punch boards, raffles and silent auctions. I think this year’s donations are already the best yet and they’re still coming in.” 

The ninth annual SeeShore Fest, set for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 24, at The Starboard offers attendees a fun way to support the cause, she said. As always, no tickets are required to enter and there’s something for all ages, she said.

With four punch boards this year each holding prizes ranging from $25 to $500, every punch is a winner. Raffles ranging from $200 to $5,000 in value, including three destination packages, will be available, along with kids’ games Dax's Duck Game and Plinko Party. 

Awareness T-shirts and tank tops emblazoned with Napolitano’s Smile & Wave logo will also be available for purchase. Napolitano said she and her husband Dom were brainstorming the idea several years ago when Dom suggested Smile & Wave because that’s what she always does.

“If a person is approaching me and I can’t make out who it is, I still smile and wave,” she said. “They could end up being a complete stranger or not even looking my way, but I’d rather be over friendly than accidentally ignore someone I know.”

Learn more at facebook.com/SeeShoreFest.