This is a picture of myself and my dear friend Nelda Sosa (middle) and Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz after Nelda was honored as Teacher of the Year. The photo was taken in the spring of 2004. Nelda has battled Vonn Hippel-Lindau, a rare genetic disease, and since the time of this photo her condition has deteriorated. She lost her left eye to this disease several years back, and she currently is praying to recover sight in her right eye after enduring a second surgical procedure which has left her completely blind. Nelda Sosa is a phenomenal individual who, in spite of her physical challenges, maintains a steadfast faith in a "Good God" and persists in finding ways to serve her fellow man. I have been looking for ways to get her story out as Nelda feels that she is losing time, and she wants to help her fellow Vonn Hippel-Lindau survivors by increasing awareness of the disease and finding a way to increase research funding. Nelda hopes that through her "Sight"others will not have to suffer as she and her family has suffered. Nelda's dear friend Lebby Salinas introduced Nelda and I to the world of "blogging"; therefore, we will start here. We are new to this form of communication so any advice would be welcome. I have Nelda's entire story in a word document, and I will try to post it in my next entry....cross your fingers!