Guide dog school hosts Lakewood Ranch walkathon

As Chris McNamee watched his parents age, he often saw them walk together, literally leaning on one another for support.

His father had lost his eyesight and his mother had a permanent limp.

Although sweet, McNamee realized it was a fate he didn’t wish upon himself.

At 28, the Lakewood Ranch resident was diagnosed with retinitus pigmentosa, a hereditary disease that causes blindness. By 33, he was legally blind. As the years progressed, his vision worsened until he would trip over caution signs and walk into things.

He eventually used a cane, but people huffed and told him to watch where he was going as he continued to run into obstacles.

He received his first guide dog, Max, from Southeastern Guide Dogs in March 2007.

“A guide dog has allowed me to be independent,” McNamee said. “My wife and I can go to the mall and I can go to Apple instead of Macy’s without needing to be on someone’s arm.”

Now, McNamee and Max are advocates for Palmetto-based Southeastern Guide Dogs, a nonprofit that helps visually impaired and other individuals achieve independence through a guide dog. McNamee, a board member for the organization, is helping organize the first walkathon fundraiser for Southeastern to be held in Lakewood Ranch April 9.

It’s one of nine walkathons the organization will host this year with a goal of raising $1 million.

“Even though we had walks in Bradenton and Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch is a separate community,” McNamee said of why Southeastern added Lakewood Ranch to its walkathon lineup. “A lot of our puppy raisers and volunteers come from the community.”