Hey Reddit: Here’s the full scoop: My brother and I have Choroideremia. It's a genetic disorder that leads to complete blindness. We decided to take a trip around America, and create an award winning documentary about our experiences which can be found here:

http://difion.com/details.php?v=19

To help support those with Choroideremia, you can donate to the causes listed here: http://choroideremia.org

and here: http://www.blindness.org/donate

Proof: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Driving-Blind/107421542622732

I’m extremely new to Reddit, so be gentle.

(Leo Mercado will assist me with Questions) Thank you guys for the support, make sure to donate to links above, rent our film at the link provided to help support our next trip.

Edit: Had our coffee and we're up.

Comments: 896 • Responses: 95  • Date: 

pathn631 karma

If you ever would be interested in checking out a beautiful country such as Sweden! I would love to buy you guys a round of drinks or treat you with some of our best food! Would you be interested in seeing Sweden before it is too "late"? Let me know if you ever plan to travel here. Best of luck to you! I feel empathy for you and your brother!

TodPurvis282 karma

Thank you very much, and we'll keep you posted!!!

LeoMercado487 karma

Hey Tod, this is Leo and I'll be testing your ability to use Reddit. Can you respond to this statement?

TodPurvis436 karma

yes I can

ThibbiesJr376 karma

Where was the most beautiful place you visited?

TodPurvis697 karma

During the trip I'd have to say Devil's Tower in Wyoming

TheObviousChild260 karma

This means something. This is important!

Evolving_Dore35 karma

I was really hoping it was going to be that.

TodPurvis44 karma

Better than Reese's Pieces. And...always wear sunscreen at night.

weatherwar67 karma

Looks like I have nothing to look forward to then...

Second most?

TodPurvis258 karma

Montana. Glacier Park. Go. Now..

BlueApple477 karma

I love Glacier! Everyone raves about yellowstone. Glacier is so much prettier.

TodPurvis51 karma

Been to both. Depends. Glacier during the winter is phenomenal, Yellowstone in the summer is easier to get to, can't go wrong with either.

StinsonFive4317 karma

I live in Montana but I have never been to glacier. My parents went during the summer and they said it was beautiful there. Although I do live in a valley and the mountains around me are still pretty nice. Sorry about your condition and best of luck.

TodPurvis27 karma

Thanks. No matter what your situation, our message is, live your life to the fullest.

n1zm011 karma

[deleted]

TodPurvis14 karma

We are planning a Canadian odyssey longterm -- assuming our vision cooperates! Feel free to provide an itinerary of must-see Canada!

dhrenzen7 karma

I drove through GNP. I would have to say it was the most beautiful thing I've had the pleasure of seeing.

TodPurvis9 karma

It was amazing and would love to go back! Our national parks are an unbelievable gift and resource -- take full advantage!!

Mcash392 karma

What was your favorite part of Rhode Island, if you went of course.

TodPurvis2 karma

We didn't make it to RI on the trip, unfortunately. My wife graduated from Brown back in the day and is hoping to make it back to Providence for her reunion next May -- any suggestions for restaurants?

occupythekitchen11 karma

Dude you need to go to Rio de Janeiro most beautiful urban beach in the world

TodPurvis22 karma

Sounds amazing, and on the list. Now just gotta make a sequel.

Dementio_287 karma

How long is your estimate till you are completely blind?

TodPurvis404 karma

That's the bad part, there's no way to tell right now, I just have to my eye specialist once a year and they tell me.

Garizondyly298 karma

There's something painfully ironic about forgetting the word "see" in that comment.

TodPurvis102 karma

Ironic, yes. But we took the trip to put the memories in our brain where we could always call them up even if we completely lost our sight. There is an amazing scene in the film about a man who is almost totally blind who calls up his memories in order to live a full "visual" life.

Garizondyly42 karma

Amazing. I meant it as only a playful (but kinda morbid on second thought) joke.

TodPurvis108 karma

No worries, when you lose your sight, you gain a sense of humor.

Dementio_185 karma

A few other questions then:

What is your vision now?

Will you find a way to do another AMA once you are blind so I can ask you what do you see when you are blind?

TodPurvis308 karma

My vision now is down to 50% now, and yes I will!! If there's a time to lose your sight it's now with all the technological advances.

Dementio_114 karma

Maybe you will be able to get your sight back!

TodPurvis165 karma

That would be amazing!! Just hoping it doesn't get any worse.

MichaelArnold128 karma

Robot eye? Or maybe an eye implant? You can have one of my good eyes if you'd like. I can FedEx it.

TodPurvis74 karma

Send away, we'll take em!!! But, right now there's always a chance that it would make it worse...

FAP-FOR-BRAINS133 karma

please get a robot eye in the middle of your forehead and replace the bio-eyes with huge rubies!

TodPurvis87 karma

hmmm down with the robot eye, rubies are way too pricey to use as eyes.

KernelTaint14 karma

Whats your hope with stem cell retina replacement research?

TodPurvis47 karma

We're hoping, but honestly it's more for getting the research for the younger guys who have this disease. We met kids in their teens who had worse sight than us and want them to get as much help as they can.

NuneShelping75 karma

What do you mean by 50%? Your field of view is shrinking, you can't see certain regions, your vision is blurry, your vision is dark... what's... it like?

TodPurvis176 karma

It's hard to describe nothing. It's not black, it's like if you were looking through a tunnel, and the walls of the tunnel were made of mirrors and it reflected what was at the end of the tunnel

raunchyfartbomb74 karma

So, a kaleidoscope?

TodPurvis64 karma

yeah that's actually a good way to describe it.

prettymuchfullofshit169 karma

What city has the best looking people?

TodPurvis483 karma

HA!! And great username!!! Los Angeles, but you have to remember this was a 40 day road trip, so the longer we were alone together in the cars the prettier everyone else got.

owattenmaker76 karma

I see you have never been to Scandinavia before.

TodPurvis122 karma

We have, but a LONG time ago (1980s). Norway, Oslo and Nes, we ate shrimp on the pier, and the sun never went down. Would go again!!

Thad-Jarvis148 karma

I'm very moved by this. My husband is 26 and has very advanced Retinitis Pigmentosa, quite similar to Choroideremia. We actually took a similar trip last year (we called it his "vision walkabout") in which we drove from Kansas City to several places on the west coast as he wanted to see Sequoia trees and the beach a final time before things go completely dark. It was such an emotional trip, but I'm so grateful we took it.

In your travels, which city did you find to be the most accessible for blind/low vision people?

TodPurvis77 karma

Cities are tough, but it also depends on your attitude. Big cities with well-established pubic transportation are amazing, DC, NY, SF, Chicago. But don't be afraid to visit some place new, with a friend, who is aware of your husband issues. I walk with my hand on my wife's shoulder to guide me in new places all the time. Anytime you want a tour of LA, let us know.

twobabylions122 karma

Is the anything that you really want to see but haven't?

TodPurvis230 karma

Yes, Alaska, and Antarctica...New Zealand, really everything.... still. Because you can always pull up those pictures in your mind.

Sometimes_Black126 karma

Go to New Zealand.

TodPurvis75 karma

Will do!!!! On the list already

ClassyMurican57 karma

And then Alaska. Trust me.

TodPurvis35 karma

On the list (next summer)

lfcscbr19 karma

Also go to Brazil if you can! Its a lovely country

TodPurvis21 karma

Also completely on the list, Argentina, Chile, Brazil. So many places! Everywhere we go we meet more people that are amazing.

ReCat22 karma

How on earth can you afford this?

TodPurvis22 karma

Mostly credit cards, which we've been paying off for the last 3 years.

Whitedragon8631 karma

A flight from Seattle to anchorage is about $600 in april...

I would strongly reccomend visiting the third week of July though so you can see all the wild flowers in bloom.

It's really beautiful.

TodPurvis18 karma

Great, we're are in the process of planning our trip, Thanks!!!

mimi787811 karma

Go to Alaska. Amazing.

TodPurvis5 karma

On the list

pewpewpewgg122 karma

What do you think you miss most once you go blind?

Once you do go blind do you think you could answer the previous question again?

TodPurvis255 karma

Tough one, and one we address in the film as well. I think I'd miss seeing my wife. And YES I will definitely answer that question again.

pewpewpewgg28 karma

Thank you, and when I say this I mean it, thank you.

TodPurvis20 karma

Our pleasure!!

lateralus42018 karma

That answer made me really sad.

Do you have children?

Also, is there any chance you won't go blind?

TodPurvis47 karma

The research in this area is moving at the speed of light, so there are lots of chances for us and others like us to either stop the progression of the condition or even to improve it. My wife and I don't have children but my brother is about to welcome his first kid in December, and we are all excited about it!!

taytermuffin104 karma

You said your vision is down to 50%. What does that look like? Is part of what's in your vision eliminated, like as if someone covered half your eye? Is everything there but it's dark? Is everything just really blurry?

TodPurvis225 karma

It's all on the outside, I would say it's blurry/fuzzy. Honestly there's no such thing as BLACK to a blind person. There's just nothing. It's very hard to describe. One of the best scenes in a film, is in the film BLINDNESS, a children (who's blind in the film) walks into a desk, that the audiences does not see and then it pops into view. That moment is EXACTLY how we see.

cinephilia134 karma

The way I've read it described as is telling someone to imagine what they see behind them. You can't see behind you, you see nothing because you don't got eyes back there.

TodPurvis8 karma

Close, were sunglasses and smeared them with vaseline, and wore them all the time that would be kind of like it.

Noel_D76 karma

Would y'all like some audio books?

I don't know what kind of audio books y'all like but I have tons of mostly science fiction and would be more than happy to send you some! Send me a PM if y'all would like. I have good vision but drive a lot and love them.

TodPurvis54 karma

Would love them. New to Reddit, not sure how to PM, can you PM us?

LADIES_PM_ME_UR_LEGS75 karma

Do you still have vision now?

If so, do you ever practice being blind so you'll be prepared when it happens?

TodPurvis103 karma

I do my vision is down to about 50% and yes I do practice. Just in case

CancerousJedi32 karma

How do you "practice" being blind? Just close your eyes and walk around the house counting steps?

TodPurvis25 karma

Pretty much yeah, not any other way to do it.

DevonDoesTomahawk62 karma

you and your brother both got it? Is that mean it is a a hereditary disease? Do you have kids? if not are you planning to have some? If so are you worry that it will pass on to them?

TodPurvis104 karma

yes it is hereditary, X linked so it is passed on my the mother. I'm not having kids, but my brother is, so yes we do worry about that. But really there are worse things to pass on to your children..

Nanoprober52 karma

At least if your brother has boys, you'll know that they won't get it though!

TodPurvis81 karma

Yes his boys won't get it. At worst girls will be carriers.

Cockoisseur-9 karma

But really there are worse things to pass on to your children..

I don't mean to offend, but what things are worse? I can't think of very many.

edit: I also don't think that the 'it could be worse' line of reasoning really justifies the decision to bring forth new life...

TodPurvis9 karma

Genetic predispositions for cancer, diabetes and alzheimer's can be death sentences. Blindness is an enormous challenge, but you can live a full life with it.

IlikePez0 karma

I am sure you are an amazing person, but genetic illnesses can stop with you. Just saying.

I know it's the choice I made.

TodPurvis1 karma

yep and one, but not all of the reasons we're not having children.

Cockoisseur0 karma

I'd prefer diabetes or losing my mind at an old age to blindness by middle age :/ cancer I'm not so sure about...

TodPurvis1 karma

fair enough...and me too.

Mad_Hatter_Bot58 karma

Ever take any psychedelics?

TodPurvis153 karma

Yes and as often as I can... but don't tell our parents. Ever gone into a sensory deprivation tank? DON'T DO BOTH.

Carukia-barnesi32 karma

That sounds terrifying.

What is choroideremia and how old are the two of you?

TodPurvis39 karma

CHM (choroidermia) is a genetic condition that causes the decay of a particular part of the eye, leading to degraded peripheral and night vision and at its extreme total loss of sight. I am (Tod, older brother) 43 and Justin is 38.

Volraith15 karma

Sorry to hear about your condition.

You're both affected, but is the deterioration the same for both of you? I would think with your being older that you'd be in worse condition.

TodPurvis7 karma

usually that's how it works, but Justin, younger brother, sight is a lot worse than mine. But we both still manage, he teach improv/acting in NJ and i edit TV shows in LA.

dabCzar23 karma

Once you're fully blind would you be willing to take enough psychadellics that would normally give you visuals and report if you "see" anything and then elaborate in your future AMA?

TodPurvis58 karma

Hard to know, am I being supplied with them? If they're free, and I'm blind, it's on.

Mad_Hatter_Bot13 karma

Looked into the sensory deprivation tanks. Found a place where I can do $60 for an hour.

Also is it like a %100 chance you'll lose your sight? If you do go blind you think you'd do the psychedelics again or the sensory deprivation tank? It'd be pretty interesting to compare.

TodPurvis8 karma

It's not 100%, and yes I would do both again, but not at the same time, ever seen Altered States?

amazingdrummerboy5 karma

Would take with you. Shit gonna be real when you take and can't see sir.

TodPurvis5 karma

All yeah, all of it.

GISP47 karma

What are you and your brother doing to make more manageable as you gradualy loose your sights?
You learning braile, making your homes "blind friendly"?
What are you doing to adjust to the new lifestyles?

TodPurvis64 karma

We're both using canes, myself not all the time but in crowded areas. Not learning braille but do listen to a lot of audio books. With technology today, screen readers are amazing. That's it so far, but always planning, just in case.

mallorypallory26 karma

I would definitely suggest learning braille.

TodPurvis21 karma

There are amazing technologies for sighted people who lose their sight. Braille is amazing resource for people, not sure it's going to be necessary for us if I completely lose my sight.

mallorypallory21 karma

I totally agree. With screen readers and Voiceover, you would have little to worry about in regards to reading. I just think reading hard copies of things would be helpful too. With that being said, most of my experience is with children in education so I can definitely see your situation being totally different. Best of luck!

TodPurvis25 karma

Please PM me I can send you a copy of the film and would love to interact with your kids if possible. We have done several charity screenings to raise awareness/funds and many of our friends in education have arranged for screenings in their areas.

TBlight34 karma

Do you think music will change.for you when you go blind? Do you listen to much music now even?

TodPurvis43 karma

Listen to a ton, and yeah I think it will change. We met this great musicians in New Orleans and talked about music and how it effects you.

castmemberzack32 karma

What do you see right now? I'm "leagally blind" according to the government but that just means i dont see better than 20/200. I actually see around a -5 (not sure if you speak the optometry langauge yet haha) but i'm not what people consider blind.

TodPurvis26 karma

HA, there's a lot of numbers and percentages in vision. I'm not considered legally blind yet but maybe soon. Right now I'm at (about) 50% from point. Ours is more related to peripheral vision

SickSadWorld8331 karma

When did you start to notice your vision problems? Was it a sudden onset or gradual?

TodPurvis40 karma

My vision was fine as a kid, I really didn't notice it until my mid 30's where I noticed the losing the outside and the night vision. Justin noticed it much earlier than I.

WhoopyKush30 karma

Since it's the surface sensory cells, I would imagine people in your condition would be prime candidates for visual implants that stimulate the nerves right below the now-degenerated retina. What's the state-of-the-art now for implanted visual grids? Would you opt for a visual implant?

TodPurvis30 karma

Well they (doctor) think that the part of the retina is "asleep" but they still don't know yet. I don't think I would opt for an implant... yet, but if (I) I got worse, I would at least try one of my eyes... the left.

hoverfordetails11 karma

Why the left?

TodPurvis18 karma

because I'm right-handed...

thebitchboys29 karma

Hey, I met you guys in Griffis Sculpture Park! So cool to see that you've gotten so far in your travels. How do you decide which places to check out? I was surprised to see you at such a hidden spot; even most of the locals don't know about it!

TodPurvis15 karma

Awesome!! We found out from Brian Griffo, Adam Buckley and Ryan Detzel our crew. Send us a PM and we get you a copy of the film. Griffis Park was awesome, hope to get back there to see more of it.

underdog_rox24 karma

You decided to create an award-winning documentary? Good decision.

TodPurvis13 karma

It was a labor of love for several years and involved the hard work of a few guys who selflessly donated their time and amazing skills to help us realize our "vision." Hopefully you will see it too and appreciate all it means.

Scottrix23 karma

I'm sure you visited many beautiful places an I look forward to seeing the documentary. Can you list 3-5 of the most scenic drives? I'm thinking drives over an hour not locations or hikes but views you can enjoy over a significant amount of time from a car on the road.

TodPurvis51 karma

MONTANA, MONTANA, MONTANA there's a reason it's called Big Sky Country. Also Idaho is amazing, anyplace you can get off the major highways and onto the smaller ones.

meateoryears10 karma

I was shocked when I saw how beautiful Idaho is. It's not even a blip on the radar when talking about Americas beauty.

TodPurvis9 karma

Yeah it's really amazing. The Spud drive-in theater is a must!!

Scottrix9 karma

I've done some back-roads in north Idaho and NW of Bozeman MT, I totally agree.

If you didn't get a chance, I hope you have an opportunity to drive Surrey to Kamloops, British Columbia.

TodPurvis20 karma

Canada and Alaska are on our vision bucket list, I actually went to the Galapagos Islands in last February, AND IT WAS AMAZING!!!

azarashi3 karma

Ill agree with you there I drove across country when I moved from Washington to Georgia and Montana blew me away I never could describe it but with what they call it, I dont know how it just is so BIG. It was the last beautiful thing I saw before I go to the middle of the US then it was flat and boring.

TodPurvis3 karma

HA!! Yeah, it's amazing how much driving it takes to get across the country, and we did it without cruise control.

TITTY-PICS-INBOX-NAO17 karma

Could you explain why you're going blind?

TodPurvis34 karma

Your username is the BEST so far!! My brother and I have a rare eye disease called Choroideremia, likes like Retinitis Pigmentosa.. It's starts on the outside of the eye and works its way inward.

YourMortalEnema14 karma

In your travels, which area had the highest concentration of roadside attractions? I was recently in the Black Hills, and there were quite a few there.

TodPurvis23 karma

Rapid City is AMAZING, we actually won best documentary at the Black Hills Film Festival there. I think Texas has the most, at least on our trip. Also Utah.

HesNotTalking13 karma

Have you heard about research with implants that stimulate the brain with neural impulses? So even with total blindness you can see light and shapes.

Edit: I remember learning about this a few years ago, but i don't know if it has advanced any.

TodPurvis11 karma

Yes heard about that, read about that, but implants don't always work for this disease. It's a very small part of the eye that is effected and not all the "cures" work for this disease. But there is talk that our choroid, a thin layer behind the retina, is just "sleeping" and might be reawakened. So here's for hoping.

LADIES_PM_ME_UR_LEGS12 karma

What was your favorite place to visit in the U.S.A.?

TodPurvis23 karma

Tough one, but again the Devil's Tower AND the Grand Canyon

Nlklas12 karma

Have you made any plans for new hobbies if you lose 100% of your sight?

TodPurvis22 karma

And I also snowboard, and that I could still do, even when totally blind, and will continue to do. There's a lot of groups around to help the visually impaired.

TodPurvis20 karma

New hobbies? No, not yet. But luckily with all the computer programs that are there, we could still do the things we like to do.

joshm14929 karma

Sorry this is a difficult one. Is there anything that you will regret not being able to see?

TodPurvis21 karma

Well, not yet. But if i can't Antarctica before I go blind... that will make me sad.

pathn9 karma

What do you think about your future? Like completing school and getting a job? What prospects is there for someone that have that kind of disability?

TodPurvis14 karma

So far so good, I think that if that was a time to lose your sight it would be now, with all the advance in computing, pretty much" any" job can be done by computer. I actually edit TV shows now.

pathn6 karma

How does a computer make it easier? Do you think companies will hire you over someone else that might or might not be more efficient since sight is till the sense that you use at most to perform in almost any job. I feel people having disabilities at least here where i live get a real hard time getting a job due to the fact that someone without it will "pay" more for the company. Sad but true; at least here.

TodPurvis12 karma

If you can get a job that is computer based, there's tons of programs that can help a person with low vision or even blind. A friend of mine, who's blind, runs a company that audio describes films and tv shows.

jimbromley7 karma

So you mention loving Wyoming; just out of curiosity what state are you from?

TodPurvis11 karma

Well, we are from CA, but our Dad was in the military so we've been everywhere, grew up in USA, Germany, England. I live in CA, and Justin lives n New Jersey. Both in USA

Adolf_Oliver_Bush6 karma

Is there one particular sight that sticks with you most often (either at the Devil's Tower or with your wife or...)? You answered the question where the most beautiful place was, but I am curious, what was one of the most beautiful moments you've ever observed? Thanks for doing the AMA, and I wish you all the best on the road ahead.

TodPurvis27 karma

Just married my wife in July, have to say her beautiful smiling face was the most amazing beautiful sight ever.

Thoreau9995 karma

As a huge supporter of service animals, do you think a service dog could be part of your future? If so I almost envy you! Feel free to ask me if you have any questions about them as well.

TodPurvis11 karma

I am a huge supporter of service animals as well, we have a great scene in the film about a service dog. And yes if needed I will get one. We're working on being sponsors for service animals.

l3ss0n_t33ch3r3 karma

Would you ever consider a name change to Pod Turvis? It sounds right to me.

TodPurvis4 karma

good idea, but I prefer Dop Sivrut.

CarolineJohnson3 karma

Even though I'm late to the party, it's now obligatory AMA question time!

Would you rather fight 1 horse-sized duck or 100 duck-sized horses?

TodPurvis3 karma

100 duck-sized horses because I'm better off fighting little things than big things. Would you rather fight 100 little rats or a big giant rat? I'd rather fight the horde than the monster.

Behindyou973 karma

Do you plan on learning braille?

TodPurvis4 karma

Braille is an amazing resource but for people like us who have been sighted their whole life, the technological resources might be a better option.

[deleted]3 karma

[deleted]

TodPurvis5 karma

Very gradually, in theory it should peak around a person late 30s, so hopefully it has stopped for me. But there's no absolute rule and that's the worst part

[deleted]2 karma

[deleted]

TodPurvis4 karma

Thank you so much!!

[deleted]2 karma

[deleted]

TodPurvis5 karma

Thanks very much!

stafpaper2 karma

Have you ever thought about taking a trip across canada?

TodPurvis1 karma

We want to board Whistler in the next year or so.

Nanoprober2 karma

Have you or your brother considered enrolling in clinical trials, or have already enrolled in clinical trials for choroideremia?

TodPurvis2 karma

Clinical trials are underway in England and Canada, it's difficult for American citizens to participate in those trials. My retinal specialist thinks that American trials will start within the next few years.

ruthie18012 karma

You sound awesome! Anymore travel plans? Anywhere in the US that wasn't worth your time?

TodPurvis5 karma

We want to dive in Utah more, and heading back to Louisiana in the spring. AND Alaska in the summer.

Cooljazz582 karma

You guys sound awesome. Do you plan to stick with touring only the U.S.?

TodPurvis1 karma

Hopefully Would love to do Driving Blind international (it just played in a Cambodian film festival), and would love to go there.

powernut1 karma

Where the hell do all you people get the ducats to trip around the country and/or the world? Most people can't even afford to take a few days' vacation to Disneyworld anymore; internal tourism in the US is as dead as the American dream.

EDIT: I mean, it costs me a week's wages to simply drive a couple states over. That's just gasoline. Are you assholes all just rich as fuck, or am I just poor as fuck? Fuck!

TodPurvis3 karma

We were lucky to have generous people donating money so we could make this trip. And we all ran up our credit cards. The point was to make a film to raise awareness and hopefully funds for research for charity.

JetsWillWinSuperbowl0 karma

Do you smoke weed and what do you think that will be like when you are blind?

Also do you watch sports?

TodPurvis1 karma

Weed doesn't affect this condition why, you offering? I go to LA Kings game all the time... sorry about the Rangers.