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More Than a Diagnosis
My name is Havah Fleisner, and I am a legally blind author, advocate, and public speaker from Wisconsin. I am also a proud older sister to Cruz and Clara, and together we share life with Stargardt Macular Degeneration, a rare genetic eye disease that causes central vision loss.
My journey with vision loss began at a young age, but it quickly became so much more than a diagnosis. Through faith, family, and perseverance, I learned how to overcome challenges, advocate for myself, and use my story to help others feel seen and understood. Today, I share my experiences through writing, speaking, and advocacy to raise awareness about low vision and encourage children and families facing their own challenges.
My hope is to remind others that even when life looks different than expected, there is still beauty, strength, and purpose in the journey.
The Beginning of My Journey
At age 8, I went to my first eye exam. I remember struggling to read the letters on the chart, especially the small ones. No matter how hard I tried, things still looked blurry.
At first, we did not fully understand what was happening. I continued to struggle with my vision, and over time, everyday things became more difficult. Reading, seeing far away, and recognizing details around me were not as easy as they seemed for other kids my age.
After multiple eye exams and many questions, my family finally received answers. I was diagnosed with Stargardt Macular Degeneration, a rare inherited eye disease that affects central vision and can lead to legal blindness.
Receiving that diagnosis changed my life, but it also became the beginning of a journey that would shape who I am today.
Learning to Navigate Low Vision
One of the hardest parts about living with low vision is that it is not always visible to others. While I looked like every other child, everyday tasks often required much more effort than people realized.
In school, things like reading the board, recognizing faces from a distance, navigating crowded hallways, and keeping up with assignments became daily challenges. There were moments of frustration, fear, and uncertainty as I learned how to adapt to a world that was not always designed for someone with low vision.
Over time, my family and I learned how important advocacy and accommodations truly were. With support from organizations like Vision Forward Association, along with supportive teachers, family, and faith, I began building confidence and learning how to use my voice.
Finding My Voice
Living with low vision has shaped how I experience the world, but it has never defined what I am capable of. However, at fifteen, I began to feel the emotional weight of my diagnosis more deeply than I realized. My confidence faded, and discouragement slowly started to take hold.
Seeing this change in me, my mom encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone and compete in my first pageant. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I said yes.
That decision changed everything.
Through pageantry, I discovered how powerful my story truly is. I found my voice, my confidence, and the ability to impact others in ways I never imagined. What began as a reluctant step forward quickly became a life-changing journey.
As I prepared for the stage, I developed my platform, Through Her Eyes, and learned how to speak openly about my experience living with low vision. I began turning my story into a message of advocacy and hope.
In July of 2024, the week of my 16th birthday, I was crowned United States of America’s Teen 2024.
I didn’t come home with a driver’s license, I came home with something even more meaningful: a crown, a sash, and a voice that would help shape my future.
Today, I continue my journey in pageantry as Miss Northern Lights Teen 2026, pursuing the title of Miss Wisconsin’s Teen through the Miss America opportunity. I am using my initiative to share my platform and advocate for others.
Pageantry has changed my life not because of the titles, but because it gave me a voice I didn’t realize I had.
A Message of Hope
If you are living with a disability, supporting someone who is, or simply navigating challenges of your own, I want you to know this: your story matters.
You are capable of more than you may realize, and your challenges do not define what you are capable of. My hope is that by sharing my experiences, I can help others feel seen, understood, and empowered to believe in themselves just as they are.
I know the world can sometimes set limits when you are living with a diagnosis, but I believe in moving beyond them. Living with accommodations does not mean less. It means using the right tools to pursue your goals safely and fully.
With faith, determination, and the right support, we can achieve our dreams and create a life that reflects who we truly are.
What Guides Me
God is at the center of every step of my life. Through my diagnosis, He has been the reason for my growth, strength, and the opportunities I have today.
My family is my foundation, and integrity guides every choice I make. I strive to be a role model for the younger generation and to inspire others to fully live their lives.
These values are more than words. They are my compass. They guide every decision I make, shape how I lead and advocate, and define the life I strive to live.
Living with accommodations has taught me that support does not mean less. It means having the right tools to succeed, grow, and move forward with confidence.