Canadian family goes on world tour before children lose their vision
Stuid
Canadian couple Edith Lemay and Sebastien Pelletier decided to go on a world tour when three out of their four children were diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa. It is a rare genetic condition that causes loss or decline in vision over time. The whole idea behind the trip is to provide an incredible experience for the kids and fill them with great ‘visual memories’.
Ever since the kids were diagnosed with the genetic condition, their mother Edith Lemay was determined to take them around the most beautiful places in the world for creating memories that will last a lifetime. The couple started saving money for the trip. Initially they planned for the trip in 2020, but then the pandemic hit the world, spoiling their plans. They eventually began their trip in March 2022.
Even though the family left Montreal without any clear-cut plans, they had some ideas regarding the places they wished to see. They kicked off their adventurous world trip in Namibia. The kids enjoyed seeing the elephants, giraffes and other wild animals in the African nation. They continued their expedition to countries like Zambia, Tanzania, Turkey, Mongolia and Indonesia.
The couple says that embarking on a world tour has made their family closer and stronger than ever. While the kids had the opportunity to see a variety of flora and fauna, their parents strongly believe that the trip will help the children develop strong coping skills. Life on the road is expected to make them more resilient and wiser in life.
The couple is prepared for the worst, the genetic condition of their kids might turn them completely blind by their midlives. They often get asked tough questions by their children like how does it feel to be a blind ? and several other questions related to their condition. But the trip, they say, has taught them to live in the present and not think beyond it! They are being hopeful and praying for some breakthrough in the medical field that might eventually save their children from turning completely blind.
The family is active on social media, they post regular updates of their world tour in their Facebook and Instagram accounts. They post beautiful pictures and descriptions of their adventurous journey.
Lemay says that people with retinitis pigmentosa and their relatives from across the world have got in touch with her, offering words of encouragement after knowing about the family’s inspiring journey. She recalls that a teacher at a special school in Quebec for blind children, who is among the family’s 11,000 Facebook followers, recounts their adventures to her class.
The family is planning to return home in March, 2023. They are a happy bunch and strongly believe that the experience that they have garnered touring the most exotic places in the world have made them strong enough to face future challenges.
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