Alter EgoElla Osborne
Base of OperationsPortland, OR
Ella Osborne is not your typical 9-year-old. She was born with a cataract, which was discovered when she was just 3 months old. Diagnosed with amblyopia, she began patch therapy. She started wearing glasses at age 2 and has gone to the eye doctor every three to six months ever since. All of this makes her special, but it’s not what makes her remarkable.
ThumbelElla is a tiny wonder: At age 7, after hearing some people discussing the fact that they couldn’t take their kids to the eye doctor because they lacked money and insurance, she decided to do something about it. “I’m lucky that I could get the treatment I need, but I know lots of kids can’t afford to go to the eye doctor. I wanted to do something to help,” Ella says. “I remembered there was a fun run for someone in my neighborhood who was sick and thought that would be a good idea. I wanted to do something in my community for people who aren’t as lucky as I am.”
So, Ella founded the Vision Fun Run, a fundraiser for the KEX Kids Fund, a nonprofit organization that provides free exams, eyeglasses and hearing aids for children in need. The second annual Vision Fun Run took place on May 21, 2017 and raised nearly $6,000 with the help of the Essilor of America, who saw her story after the first run. Local Opticraft Optical lab has offered their lab services to the cause as well.
In fact, this little powerhouse is so passionate about good vision that she recently testified in front of a state senate committee in support of Senate Bill 187, which would provide money so every elementary student in Oregon can get an eye exam. “I gave a speech. It was very intense and scary,” says Ella. “But, I think it’s really important that children should be able to see and get the eyecare they need.” The bill should be decided on this July.
No doubt, ThumbelElla is a local superhero. “My community is so happy and excited,” she shares. “They are amazed that here I am, this little 9-year-old helping people.” And according to Ella’s mom, Dede, plans for the run are only growing. “There are a few places in Portland that have strong running communities, and so next year there will be more than one run in Oregon,” she says. But Ella isn’t stopping there: She dreams of taking it national or worldwide, “like in New York and San Francisco.”
Asked what advice she has for grown-ups who might tell kids they are too young to change anything, she says, “Listen to your children more often and believe and big things might happen. I told my Mom that I wanted to do something to help kids who need glasses and she said OK. More parents should do that. Listen, believe and never give up.”
From the mouth of babes …
This article originally appeared in the July-August 2017 edition of INVISION.