The story of a vision-impaired Lakeview Elementary School student who was awarded the top prize in her age group in an art competition should serve as an absolute inspiration.

Madalyne Vorase created a self portrait that won first place out of 300 other participants in her age group in the American Printing House for the Blind Art Competition for Artists who are Visually Impaired or Blind.

The kindergartner was born with optic nerve hypoplasia, a congenital condition in which the optic nerve is underdeveloped. The condition has varying degrees of severity. Madalyne has a slight bit of peripheral vision.

The vision impairment hasn’t slowed her down, however. The daughter of Elizabeth Holkko and Joshua Vorase would like to go to Louisville, Kentucky, to accept her award in person on Oct. 9.

Her grandmother is helping her find the most reasonable travel arrangements and her great aunt has set up a GoFundMe account after hearing about the award.

To keep costs low, Holkko will be the only person accompanying her daughter on the trip. The American Printing House for the Blind offers a $250 travel stipend but Holkko estimates that it will cost between $2,500 and $3,000.

The GoFundMe account has generated $1,750 to date.

We recommend Mining Journal readers consider a donation to this cause. Madalyne worked hard to get this award. Receiving it in person would be an experience of a lifetime.