Blindness can’t stop Army Veteran

Three months after returning from his second deployment to Iraq, Army Veteran Henry Escobedo-Ramirez began having problems with his vision in late 2010.

“My eyes were dry and I had pain off and on. I started having blurry vision and, by mid-2011, I could no longer make out faces. It was pretty quick,” he shared.

Escobedo-Ramirez was diagnosed with Leber’s Optic Neuropathy, a rare, genetic disease with no cure. He went on to serve three more years in the Army and was medically discharged in 2014 with 12 years of service.

Escobedo-Ramirez transferred his care to Houston VA and was connected with the Visual Impairment Services Outpatient Rehabilitation (VISOR) clinic which provided him with prosthetics, adaptive aids and extensive services to help him live independently.

“They gave me training for a year to help me walk with a mobility cane, move around my home, cook and use my phone. They also provided software for me to be able to check my email, surf the internet and shop online,” he said.

 Walks his kids to school

With assistance from VISOR, Escobedo-Ramirez went on to earn a master’s degree in counseling and walks his kids to school.

“When he lost his eyesight at 29-years-old, he worked through the grieving process and depression,” said Adrienne Thompson, Houston VA VISOR chief. “He told me it wasn’t going to stop him from meeting his goals one day.”

Escobedo-Ramirez wanted to get involved in adaptive sports, so VISOR partnered with Houston VA Recreation Therapy to make it happen.

In 2021, he participated in kayaking, sailing and surfing at the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic in San Diego, and he wanted to try tandem biking. He has since participated in three biking events and a total of 12 adaptive sports events.

He isn’t just competing, though: He is winning. In March, Escobedo-Ramirez and his fully-sighted teammate, Coast Guard Veteran Rodney Rios, won first place at the 2024 Texas State Time Trial Championship in the category for blind participants.

“I was beyond shocked when they called my name for first place. I couldn’t believe it. I knew I had been putting in the work and doing everything in my power to accomplish that. I’m so happy,” he said.

Invited to Invictus Games in London

Escobedo-Ramirez plans to participate in the Department of Defense Warrior Games in Florida and he also got invited to race at the Invictus Games in London.

“Never in my life did I think I’d get to go to London to do a cycling event. Adaptive sports has been such a blessing, especially cycling,” he said.

Thompson said Escobedo-Ramirez is an inspiration to the VISOR team, his family and the community. “I am proud of his perseverance, drive and positive spirit. The VISOR program will continue to be a source of empowerment and support his independence,” Thompson said.

Escobedo-Ramirez is grateful VA is with him in his journey to live life to its fullest.

“I am beyond thankful because they have supported my cause in every sense of the word. I am where I’m at because of them and because of biking.”