Art is Her Best Friend
Yvonne Felix is a young artist who was diagnosed with Stargardt’s disease, a form of juvenile macular degeneration, when she was just seven years old; two of her siblings – Kathy and Will – were also diagnosed with the disease as children.
Yvonne grew up in a supportive, creative household and was encouraged to express herself through art. As her family coped with illness and loss, drawing became a safe place for Yvonne. Despite her diminishing vision, Yvonne was determined to become an artist. Her mother did everything she could to keep Yvonne’s hopes and dreams alive; even providing one wall in the house for Yvonne to draw on!
Today, Yvonne is living her dream. She is an artist, dedicated to raising awareness and funds for vision research.
“I will never know why my family was given this disease but I do know that it has given me the chance to use my artwork to help others. The Foundation Fighting Blindness – Canada’s leading private contributor to vision research for eye diseases like mine and my family’s - has supported me in my cause to help people living with vision loss,” said Yvonne. “FFB has provided me with the hope that a cure is in sight, and a platform to share that belief with people like you.”
As an artist, wife and mother, Yvonne continues to advocate and adapt the world of visual art for herself and the community; recognizing possibilities, not barriers.
Yvonne is a graduate of the Dundas Valley School of Art, Public and Community Art Program and has conducted workshops for visually impaired children on behalf of the Junior Canadian Council for the Blind. Most recently, Yvonne won both the James Street North Hamilton Public Art Competition and the Art in Public Places Police Service Competition.