Empowering Joanna & Rose
Joanna & Rose
A Story of Sisterhood, Strength, and Accessibility
At Vision Nonprofit, our mission is to empower K–12 students with significant vision loss by providing the technology they need to succeed in school and beyond. Through our Giving for Vision initiative, we've been raising funds to provide iPads for students attending Clovernook's summer camp. But sometimes, a story comes along that calls for something extra—something personal.
Meet Joanna & Rose
Today, we're sharing the story of Joanna and Rose: two inseparable sisters, aged 19 and 20, who reached out to us for support.
LCA-RDH12 stands for Leber Congenital Amaurosis caused by a mutation in the RDH12 gene. It’s a rare inherited eye condition that affects the retina—the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. People with this condition often experience severe vision loss beginning in childhood that gradually worsens over time. Imagine trying to see through a fog that slowly thickens as the years go by. While there’s currently no cure, ongoing research and accessible technology can make a meaningful difference in helping individuals with LCA maintain independence and pursue their goals.
Both sisters were diagnosed with LCA-RDH12, a rare genetic condition that causes progressive vision loss. Since childhood, they've faced the daily challenges of adapting to a world that becomes harder to see—but they’ve never let it slow them down.
Joanna has spent the past four years as a cadet in the Civil Air Patrol, where she developed leadership skills, discipline, and a strong sense of service. She’s preparing to attend Leader Dog camp in Michigan and is working toward her certification in massage therapy.
Rose, just a year older, is pursuing the same path—supported by the team at Clovernook and Ohioans with Disabilities, she’s also preparing to begin her studies in massage therapy and achieve greater independence.
Why They Need Our Help
Despite their determination, there's one challenge they can’t overcome alone: access to technology.
For individuals with low vision, an iPad is more than a device—it’s a vital tool for reading, note-taking, organizing, and communicating. Its touch-screen interface, adjustable text sizes, and accessibility features make it one of the most powerful tools available to support their education and everyday lives.
But this kind of accessibility doesn’t come cheap. Technology for people with vision loss often carries a higher price tag—especially when it comes to devices that are powerful enough to meet their needs. Joanna and Rose would benefit from the iPad Air, with its larger screen and enhanced performance, which makes navigating visual content easier and more efficient. These devices aren’t luxury items—they’re essential tools for independence and success.
Because Joanna and Rose are no longer in K–12, their request falls outside the scope of our current campaign. Still, their story is so compelling—and their need so urgent—that we’ve launched a dedicated effort to raise $2,000 to purchase an iPad for each sister. To help inspire early support, Vision Nonprofit has matched the first $500 in donations.
How You Can Help
These sisters have worked hard to get where they are—and with the right tools, they're ready to take the next step.
Will you help us reach our $2,000 goal and equip Joanna and Rose with the technology they need to succeed?
Donate now: www.visionnonprofit.org/donate
Thank you for believing in Joanna, Rose, and the mission of Vision Nonprofit.
#GivingForVision #SistersSupportSisters #VisionNonprofit #AccessibilityForAll
