Losing his sight while serving in Iraq could not break Major Scotty Smiley’s indomitable spirit. Since then he has climbed Mount Rainier, won an ESPY as Best Outdoor Athlete, became a father, earned an MBA from Duke University and more. Major Smiley will share his personal experiences to help others find their “hope unseen” at Hackensack Meridian Health’s Mitchell Vassar Vision Awareness Day on Veteran’s Day Friday, Nov.. 11, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Grand Marquis, 1550 Rt. 9 South, Old Bridge.
This free event includes lunch, a resource fair, and collection of unwanted glasses for the Lions Club Recycle for Sight Program benefiting visually impaired adults and children. Also, Hackensack Meridian Integrative Health and Medicine Health Coach Suzannah Sabin will discuss how a sense of purpose, and learning skills to respond to stress, can give meaning to one’s life and enable them to thrive. Vision Awareness Day is made possible by the Mitchell Vassar Bright Future Legacy. Registration is required, call 1.800.560.9990 or visit www.meridianhealth.com/hopeunseen.
The resource fair will include exhibitions from the Booker Health Sciences Library at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Meridian At Home, Meridian Care Journey, Meridian Rehabilitation, Meridian Sleep, and Integrative Health Services at Raritan Bay Medical Center and the Joslin Diabetes Center, Affiliate at Raritan Bay.