At 28 years old, Coatesville resident Cindy Lou Altman was diagnosed with a genetic eye disease that causes progressive vision loss. At 55, she has run over fifteen 5k races with the support of her husband and a guide dog, writes Raquel Williams for KYW Newsradio.

Altman began volunteering with the nonprofit Guiding Eyes for the Blind where she was able to have a guide dog, and found the running guide dog program which helped train and test dogs to be able to run/guide at faster speeds.

“I always say that a disability is not an end to something. Disability is a way to do things in a different way,” she said.

She appreciates her independence which only takes putting on some running shoes and adding a harness to accomplish.

Altman recently prepared for what she called “the big race” with her 4-year-old guide dog Crystal. She and Crystal ran the  Philadelphia Distance Run, which she has only done previously with human guides, this past Sunday.

“Because it’s in Philly. It’s with all these people. It’s an amazing, electric audience that you’re around,” she said.

Read more about running with Cindy Lou Altman and Crystal the guide dog at KYW Newsradio.

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