It’s hard to deny the fact that technology is improving by the day, completely revolutionizing how we work, communicate, and even view our health. But unless you are directly affected by a disability, you may not realize that these recent leaps and bounds have also made way for some pretty spectacular improvements in the lives of the visually impaired, as well.

In today’s video, we meet Gene, a sufferer of Stargardt’s Disease, which is a condition that, in his words, “affects the retina and makes the central vision go blurry, so that it’s really difficult to see features, faces.” He adds that even a simple task like “reading anything is a challenge.”

To give you an idea of how Stargardt’s patients, like Gene, see the world around them, take a look at the image below. This is how a person with normal vision would view this slide…

. . . and here is how someone diagnosed with Stargardt’s would view it. As you can see, the central part of this image is completely indiscernible.

The visual impairment can obviously be tough, but it hasn’t stopped the Denver resident from living life to its fullest. Believe it or not, the guy is an avid chef. His better half even admits that he’s about “a million times better” at cooking than she is!

One fateful day, Gene’s wife, Joy, tuned into the Rachael Ray Show and immediately became enthralled by the scene that played out in front of her.

You see, on that particular episode, Rachael’s guest was a woman who, like Gene, had been living with Stargardt’s Disease. The whole segment focused on a new technology called eSight, which was enabling sufferers of the condition a chance to see normally once again.

After witnessing the guest being able to see her sister for the first time in 5 years, Joy became convinced that this might be something that could help her husband. Joy then wrote to the Rachael Ray Show, asking if she would please consider putting her husband on air so that he could have the chance to try out this amazing technology for himself.

She explained that Gene had been suffering with Stargardt’s for his entire life, with no hope for a cure or any improvement in his vision. Joy’s request was simple; she just wanted her husband to be able to take a good look at his family!

Now, how could Rachael Ray say “no” to that plea? Of course, the benevolent talk show host invited both Gene, Joy, and their little one to be guests on the show.

To watch Gene’s reaction to seeing his wife and baby for the very first time, be sure to check out Rachael Ray’s video below. You have to see how this technology works—it’s simply incredible!

What do you think of Gene’s heartwarming reaction? Do you or someone you know live with Stargardt’s Disease? If so, do you or your loved one plan on trying out eSight? Tell us all about your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below!