Eye Know—Do You? Podcast
Voices of support and strength
If you’re thinking about genetic testing or want to gain insights about living with an inherited retinal disease (IRD)—or you care for someone who has an IRD—this podcast is for you. Each season we bring you stories about courage, hope, and ambition from the IRD community. Hear how people with IRDs have found empowerment in spite of the challenges of having an IRD.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Tucker Dupree
Eye Know—Do You? season 2 presents new and remarkable stories from people in the IRD community. Over the course of this season, host Tucker Dupree, a 4-time Paralympic medalist and motivational speaker, will look back at both the harrowing and empowering moments that shaped his own life. We’ll also hear from others in the IRD community.
EPISODE 5: MARY LOU JOHNSON EVANS, THE MOTIVATED MOTHER
When her son was six years old, Mary Lou Johnson Evans decided to have her son genetically tested for an IRD, despite showing no symptoms. With a family history of IRDs, Mary Lou knew the sooner she could prepare her son with information and tools to take on a life with vision loss the better. Tune in to hear how Mary Lou’s preparedness got her son the tools he needed.
EPISODE 4: APRIL LUFRIU, THE EMPOWERED MOTHER AND COMPETITOR
April is back with the second part of her journey. As a mother of two young children with an inherited retinal disease and living with the same disease herself, April was empowered to raise awareness of inherited blindness. A life-long caretaker for others, hear how April persisted in her efforts to become Mrs. America and travel the world speaking on behalf of her family’s diagnosis and the importance of access to genetic testing.
EPISODE 3: APRIL LUFRIU, THE PREPARED PATIENT
When former Mrs. America April Lufriu’s sister Melissa was diagnosed with Retinitis pigmentosa at just 19 years old, April poured her heart into advocating for her sister’s care. Hear how April’s sister’s diagnosis prepared her – and didn’t – for her own and her children’s diagnoses and genetic testing journey two decades later.
EPISODE 2: TUCKER DUPREE, THE SWIMMER WITH LIMITLESS VISION
Tucker Dupree is back to share part two of his story. With his sight disappearing and bits of independence fading away, Tucker enrolled in a local school for the blind where he met a Paralympic runner who changed his perspective on his future as a swimmer. Here he discusses how is journey didn’t stop at a genetic diagnosis – what came next was bigger than he ever imagined.
EPISODE 1: TUCKER DUPREE, THE DETERMINED TEENAGER
Four-time Paralympic medalist and motivational speaker Tucker Dupree shares how his determination to be a collegiate swimmer became a search for answers after he began losing his sight. Listen to Tucker as he reflects on his personal journey and how genetic testing solidified a diagnosis that changed the trajectory of his life.