By Caitlin Rice
New Vision Eye Center is pleased to announce their sponsorship of patient Richard DeSocio in the Florida Senior Games. Quarterfinal qualifiers for the games will be held October 28, 2018 in Jensen Beach, Florida where DeSocio will be dusting off his discus and shot put from high school to compete in the over 70 age category of the Senior Games in track and field.
Originally from New York, DeSocio has always been an avid athlete. He played baseball, softball, and tennis for over 50 years, in addition to a number of years playing football and wrestling. DeSocio is a proponent of maintaining an active lifestyle regardless of age and hopes to inspire others to get moving by competing in both shot put and discus, hoping to make it to the main event of the Florida Senior Games which will be held December 1-9, 2018.
“When I found my old steel and wooden discus in the attic, I said ‘why not try again.’ I know I will never be able to throw the 4-pound discus 150 feet again, or throw the 12-pound shot put 50 feet again, but at least after the excellent eye care I received at New Vision Eye Center I will be able to see how far I do throw now,” DeSocio said.
Dr. Reinauer of New Vision Eye Center could not agree more, stating, “Exercise is an important component of eye health, along with maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking. People who have a good diet and are physically active can prevent or slow the progression of devastating eye diseases that can lead to blindness, such as macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.”
The Florida Senior Games began as a way to promote a healthy lifestyle for seniors in Florida, while giving them a chance to compete in a festival of their own. In addition, the Senior Games serves as the qualifier for the National Senior Games which will be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico in June of 2019.
Supporting the community is second nature for New Vision Eye Center. They regularly donate to local causes including The Senior Resource Association, The Humane Society of Indian River County, American Red Cross, and United Against Poverty to name a few.
Richard hopes not only to bring a medal home for himself, but for New Vision Eye Center as well.