Published: June 26, 2008 10:20 am      

Benefit to help child born without sight

By KANDACE MCCOY

kandace.mccoy@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — Friends of a local couple whose daughter was born blind are hosting a benefit breakfast this weekend at Applebee’s. “A Vision for Emma” will take place Saturday from 8 to 10 a.m.

According to Kathy Cozart, Emma Barrall, daughter of Jason and Morgan Barrall, was born blind due to corneal opacity. According to New York University Langone Medical Center, corneal opacity is a disorder of the cornea, the transparent structure on the front of the eyeball, which can cause serious vision problems. Information states, Corneal opacity occurs when the cornea becomes scarred, which stops light from passing through the cornea to the retina and may cause the cornea to appear white or clouded over.

Since her birth last fall, Cozart said, Emma has had two corneal transplants this year at Cardinal Glennon Hospital in St. Louis. And, as a result of numerous trips made throughout the year to the hospital, as well as increasing medical bills, Cozart and friends are hosting the benefit breakfast. “That’s the big thing,” Cozart said. “[The trips] are a financial burden on [the Barralls].”

Emma is the granddaughter of Greg and Leann Earl and Roger Barrall, all of Centralia.

Tickets for “A Vision for Emma” are $6 for pancakes, sausage, eggs and a beverage. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Cozart at 244-4171 or call Pam at 292-4834.