Post by GENEGIRL on Sept 25, 2018 19:21:12 GMT
In 1974, Mark (5) and his brother James (7) were savagely beaten by two suspects in the Foothill Farms area. The attack was so violent that it left young Mark legally blind. You can read about the case here: earonsgsk.proboards.com/thread/5875/who-beat-pugliese-boys
Today, Mark continues to face physical challenges stemming from his attack. His brother Scott describes it this way:
"To get an idea of Mark's visibility, you can write the word 'THE' on a piece of paper with the letters about 1 inch tall. Then hold the paper about 1 in from your eye in order to read it. That’s what it takes for him to see. With 20/600 vision, he doesn’t need a cane to walk down the street, but he cannot read a menu or book like most of us. His blindness was just one of many challenges Mark has faced as a result of the attack."
Today, Scott describes Mark as one of the "kindest and most gentle people [he] knows." He went on to tell me that Mark "has overcome so many challenges. He's an inspiration. He has been married to a remarkable woman for 18 years and has a happy, healthy and thriving 7-year-old daughter. At 49 years old Mark is a loving father and husband and who has never seen them or the rest of the world as we would. He is still working to earn his high school diploma."
The exciting news is that after living for almost 45 years with impaired vision, Mark has recently tested electronic glasses created by a company called eSight that finally allow him to see with 20/30 vision!
As someone who's had physical impairment affect my world as well, I'd love nothing more than for Mark to have his vision back. That's why I'm providing the fundraising link that they've set up for anyone who would like to help Mark purchase these glasses and reclaim his sight.
The link is here: giving.esighteyewear.com/markyendes
(Note: Mark Pugliese goes by Mark Yendes. The family informs me that Don Pugliese was Mark’s adoptive father -- Mark changed his last name to Yendes, his biological father’s name, when he got married).
Feel free to help if you're willing and able. Any questions can be directed to his brother Scott, who posts here as spugliese .
