A diagnosis of legal blindness nearly sidelined a local athlete. Diane Berberian was diagnosed in 2012.
“I have a form or macular degeneration,” Berberian explained. “It’s actually called juxtafoveal telangiectasia. So, I’ve lost central vision. When I look at things, look at people, I don’t see the central picture of them.”
Berberian can see while sitting still, but not when she’s moving. Instead of giving up on marathon running, the lifelong athlete turned to a friend, and her Everyday Hero, Carolyn Kiper.
“When she re-connected with me on Facebook, I let her know that she was one of the more important people in my life and if there was anything that I could do for her she should let me know,” Kiper said. “She did right away!”
Kiper became a guide-runner, tethered to her friend, and started competed with Berberian in several races, including the past two Boston Marathons.
Kiper takes care of transportation, paperwork, hotels and other responsibilities for competitions. But, Berberian doesn’t think her guide gets all the recognition she deserves.
“We do a race, and immediately people say, ‘Oh my gosh, you’re so great, you’re so great.’ The guide never gets the credit,” Berberian said.
Still, Kiper doesn’t think she’s a hero.
“I don’t think that word describes me as much as it describes Diane. Because for Diane to suffer this loss, to be able to say, ‘This is not going to stop me’, and to continue going out there and racing and doing what she loves sets such a great example for anyone else in that position,” Kiper said.