A Fond du Lac St. Mary’s Springs Academy junior who is legally blind has been crowned “United States of America’s (USOA) Teen 2024.” Havah Fleisner was nine years old when she was diagnosed with Stargardt disease, a rare genetic eye disease that attacks the part of the retina needed for sharp, central vision. Havah’s mother, Tracy Welak, says initially doctors didn’t give her daughter, and two younger children who also have the disease, much hope. With holistic therapy Havah says she has noticed an improvement in her eyesight. Earlier this year, the 15 year old Fleisner decided to enter the USOA Wisconsin contest. She was crowned USOA Teen Fond du Lac last summer, and last year was crowned USOA Teen Wisconsin. Her platform was ‘Through her Eyes’. Fleisner competed recently in the USOA Teen competition.
