Diabetes is among the leading causes of death in Belize - and it's particularly a plague in the black community - where susceptibility to diabetes is often inherited.
That's what afflicted Horace Bryce - the once lively musician, artist and working man has been hobbled, now half blinded by diabetes. And he needs your help to save his vision.
Jomarie Lanza has his story:
Before being diagnosed with diabetes, Horace Bryce was an active, lively, working man and a musician.
But after a diagnosis in 2022, things went quickly downhill. He lost his leg and his vision:
Horace Bryce, Trying to Restore Vision
"It had not only cost me my leg, but it has messed around with my vision. I'm pretty much 80% blind and I only see images and silhouettes and if you're extremely close then I can, you know, know who you are, right."
The disease has changed his life - turning an independent man into total dependent:
Horace Bryce, Trying to Restore Vision
"It has changed my life dramatically and in a way that I need my sister a lot. I need extra eyes to move around, because I am not familiar with being blind or can't see properly. I am a person that always get up and on the go, I'm working. It's been a year and a half, almost that I haven't done any form of work. So for me it is a life changing and it's something, I don't want to get used to can't see. I am already amputated and that is something I have to live with. But I don't want to accept the fact that I want to stay blind."
Now, he says he needs five thousand dollars for a procedure in Guatemala that should restore his vision:
Reporter
"Is it expected that your full vision will be restored?"
Horace Bryce, Trying to Restore Vision
"Yes, it is expected that the full vision, because the doctor told me that the way how the pupils are its just blood across the eyes which can be moved with a laser treatment. So that's what we are looking for and that's what we are striving for."
It's not the first time he has fundraised, but this time he needs it more than ever:
Horace Bryce, Trying to Restore Vision
"Last year we did some bar be queen drive and we raised a little bit of finance, but because of the economy of the price gouging and stuff - we end up had to use it in our everyday living. So we are back down to ground zero and we are looking and we are asking for help any which way we can with any amount and whatever people can help us with will be greatly and highly appreciated."
And, this diabetes patient has a sobering message for the public:
Horace Bryce, Trying to Restore Vision
"Don't take diabetes light and guys take care of yourself. You don't want to be in this position where you cant really help yourself, so please eat well, take care of yourself and try stay healthy."
Those wanting to assist can call Bryce at 601-7972 or his sister Nicole at 610-5436. He hopes to get the procedure done by the end of September.
As you heard, Bryce was diagnosed with diabetes last January. It happened after a small bruise which quite quickly led to the amputation of his right leg in February.
