MONROE - About the only thing Katherinia Myers is sick of is her mother doing some of her homework for her.
Kat, 10, has been diagnosed with a rare eye disease. Stargardt's Disease, affecting about 20,000 people in the United States, causes progressive vision loss, eventually wiping out central vision.
Kat's mom, Brenda, has to read much of her daughter's homework to her because the letters are so small. Brenda has to write answers because Kat's handwriting often is crooked, caused by poor central vision.
"She would get marked down for that," Brenda said. "She hates it that I have to help her."
Kat was given a possible diagnosis of Stargardt's last spring. The diagnosis became probable last fall.
Kim DuBois, a teacher who has worked with the visually impaired for 19 years, started working with Kat in November.
"She's an amazing little girl," DuBois said. "In the beginning it was very scary for her, but now she's comfortable answering questions with people."
Standard type is difficult for Kat to read. Headaches and an inability to concentrate are side-effects of the disease. She is learning Braille with DuBois, who she works with once a week.
"We want to teach her as many skills now as we can," DuBois said.
Kat attends Northside Elementary School, where equipment is available to help her read and overcome her vision loss.
There is no such equipment at home to help Kat. DuBois said a low-end CCTV, a camera that enlarges type onto a computer screen, costs about $2,000. Brenda does not have the money to buy equipment for home.
"There are so many materials that I have to get her for home," Brenda said, "things just to make it easier on her."
To try and alleviate the problem, a breakfast benefit is being held from 7 a.m. to noon on Sunday, June 1, at the Moose Lodge, 639 Third Ave. in Monroe.
The breakfast will be all-you-can-eat and will include French toast, pancakes, scrambled eggs, breakfast casserole, ham, sausage links, white and wheat toast and hash browns.
Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children ages 6-12. Kids under 6 eat free.
All proceeds will go to Wisconsin Community Bank of Monroe, where a savings account has been established for money for special equipment.
DuBois, who is the beneficiary of the account, wants a big crowd to come to the breakfast.
"We're keeping our fingers crossed," DuBois said. "We don't have a goal as to how much to raise, but we want to at least be able to buy a CCTV."
Brenda said any help would be appreciated, so Kat can have an easier time tackling homework.
"She's one of the most caring, lovable girls you'll ever meet," Brenda said. "Even though she's losing her eyesight, she puts the needs of others before hers."
Kat, 10, has been diagnosed with a rare eye disease. Stargardt's Disease, affecting about 20,000 people in the United States, causes progressive vision loss, eventually wiping out central vision.
Kat's mom, Brenda, has to read much of her daughter's homework to her because the letters are so small. Brenda has to write answers because Kat's handwriting often is crooked, caused by poor central vision.
"She would get marked down for that," Brenda said. "She hates it that I have to help her."
Kat was given a possible diagnosis of Stargardt's last spring. The diagnosis became probable last fall.
Kim DuBois, a teacher who has worked with the visually impaired for 19 years, started working with Kat in November.
"She's an amazing little girl," DuBois said. "In the beginning it was very scary for her, but now she's comfortable answering questions with people."
Standard type is difficult for Kat to read. Headaches and an inability to concentrate are side-effects of the disease. She is learning Braille with DuBois, who she works with once a week.
"We want to teach her as many skills now as we can," DuBois said.
Kat attends Northside Elementary School, where equipment is available to help her read and overcome her vision loss.
There is no such equipment at home to help Kat. DuBois said a low-end CCTV, a camera that enlarges type onto a computer screen, costs about $2,000. Brenda does not have the money to buy equipment for home.
"There are so many materials that I have to get her for home," Brenda said, "things just to make it easier on her."
To try and alleviate the problem, a breakfast benefit is being held from 7 a.m. to noon on Sunday, June 1, at the Moose Lodge, 639 Third Ave. in Monroe.
The breakfast will be all-you-can-eat and will include French toast, pancakes, scrambled eggs, breakfast casserole, ham, sausage links, white and wheat toast and hash browns.
Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children ages 6-12. Kids under 6 eat free.
All proceeds will go to Wisconsin Community Bank of Monroe, where a savings account has been established for money for special equipment.
DuBois, who is the beneficiary of the account, wants a big crowd to come to the breakfast.
"We're keeping our fingers crossed," DuBois said. "We don't have a goal as to how much to raise, but we want to at least be able to buy a CCTV."
Brenda said any help would be appreciated, so Kat can have an easier time tackling homework.
"She's one of the most caring, lovable girls you'll ever meet," Brenda said. "Even though she's losing her eyesight, she puts the needs of others before hers."