Friends help Talented Chess Kid before he Loses Vision - You can Help

Hello chess blog friends, talented chess kid gets help from the community as doctors say he would lose his vision - Seventh-grader Jonathen Speelman looks like any normal 12-year-old and is a wizard at chess. He even has the trophies to prove it.

Three years ago doctors found an incurable eye disorder, retinitis pigmentosa, that will eventually lead to blindness that could happen at any time.

Jon's mother says it is painful for her to think about her son going blind. Jon has already learned to read braille and teaches it to other children at a nearby elementary school.

But for now, Jon just wants to be a normal kid.

“I don't want to be treated like I’m someone special or need special treatment or anything,” Jonathen said. I just want to be known as the boy who's normal.”

A friend is trying to help Jon see some sites he hasn't gotten to yet at his young age and has set up a website so anyone can contribute. To donate, click here. (This report is via wgal.com where you can also watch a video.)

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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