Utah
Fellow racers show support for Utah teen with eye condition
ST. GEORGE, Utah — Despite the fact that Preston Web page has competed in a number of mountain bike races this yr, Friday night time felt completely different.
It was the Utah Excessive College Biking League State Championships in St. George, and he admitted he felt just a little nervous and wished to do effectively, not just for himself, however for the Viewmont Excessive College Mountain Bike Group.
“I hope I can do my finest right here and benefit from the time I’ve,” Web page stated earlier than the race.
Time is what’s actually on his thoughts, not a lot how lengthy it takes for him to finish this course, however the time he has left to have the ability to see any course.
“With my eyes, I can barely see two or three ft in entrance of me,” he stated. “It’s degenerative, so it will get worse as I grow old.”
(Utah Excessive College Biking League)
Web page has a situation known as Cone-rod dystrophy. There isn’t a remedy, and his case is fairly dangerous now.
“I can’t see any shapes previous about 10 or 15 ft,” he stated. “Every little thing is actually blurry.”
That’s the place Jeff Hirschi is available in. He’s Web page’s guide-rider. Utilizing a 2-way radio, Hirschi talks to Web page throughout competitions, using in entrance, letting him know the place to go.
“I’m type of his eyes and ears on the market. Ensuring he is aware of what’s coming earlier than he will get there,” Hirschi stated.
Preston Web page is a motorcycle within the @UtahHSMTB state championships in St. George. He works with a guide-rider as a result of an eye fixed situation will not let him see greater than 5 ft away. It is getting worse and he might not see Christmas lights this yr, so groups arrange lights for him. @KSL5TV at 10. pic.twitter.com/tnZNv7FryB
— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) October 22, 2022
Mountain bike programs are tough and stuffed with rocks and ruts.
Web page has crashed sufficient occasions that his dad and mom don’t even fear about him anymore.
“He enjoys this sport loads,” stated Ronald Web page, who’s Preston’s father. “Despite the fact that he has crashed in all probability 75 occasions in his races, he simply will get up and goes.”
Web page is aware of as a result of that is the final race of the rationale, there’s a respectable probability it is also his final race. Time is undefeated. There isn’t a telling how a lot of it his eyes are going to provide him.
“Simply to go throughout the end line is so superb, and we cheer for him, and we cry for him and all the things,” Web page’s father stated.
His fellow racers wished to verify there was nonetheless time for Preston to see Christmas lights. So, through the nighttime social gathering after the race, different groups put up some Christmas lights to let Web page know, even when they will’t give him the present of sight, they will let him know, in all that darkness, he’s not alone.
“That’s actually cool, yeah,” Web page stated. “Glad everyone seems to be down right here supporting me.”