Page 8 - UHN's Year In Review 2013-14: Courage is Daring to Lead
P. 8
cover story
(Continued from Ottawa native has roughly 60 is the “best thing” that ever
previous page) per cent of his vision left. happened to him.
“When I thought about what His central vision is clear, he “Now, everything I see has
would make the best place to says, but beyond that, it’s like so much more value to me,
do science, I came close to “looking through frosted glass”. because I know at some point I
something like this, but KDT is may not see it ever again,”
beyond anything I could have “If I hold my head in a certain he said.
imagined,” Matan-Lithwick position there are segments
said. “To put the people where I can see perfectly, and Overall, he says he’s just
together in the building that segments where my vision is lucky and fortunate to be
they did, in the space that they blurred,” he said. researching at KDT.
designed for this building, you Matan-Lithwick also “Regardless of what happens
create this magic.” continuously sees flashes of to me and my eyesight, I have
That magic comes in part light, indication that the cells the opportunity to make a
from KDT’s 105,000 square of his retina are dying right huge difference in people’s
feet of research space. The before his eyes. lives. That’s why I became
design fosters collaboration The impact of the disease, he a scientist in the first place,
and innovation among says, is most apparent at night. because I believe in what we
experts researching to cure can accomplish with research.”
Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, “At night, I basically see
blindness and more. nothing,” he said. RELATED
“So often, people are so In the lab, he copes with his Krembil Discovery Tower
focused on their own work, disease by keeping organized – TWRI recruits leader
but if you get people talking and forgiving. in vision research
to each other, you will get “Every now and then I’ll knock
the out-of-the-box science something over. It’s a bit Scientist seeks to
cure own disease
that otherwise would not be challenging not to be hard on (original UHN story)
possible. I’ve been here nine myself. When that happens, I
months and I can already feel have to just say, ‘C’est la vie,
the energy in this building,” you didn’t see it,’” he said.
Matan-Lithwick said.
Despite these visual reminders
‘Like frosted glass’ each and every day that the Stuart Matan-Lithwick continuously sees flashes of light, indication that the cells of his retina
As for the current state of world he sees is fading, Matan- are dying right before his eyes. He’s researching in the Krembil Discovery Tower to find a cure for
Matan-Lithwick’s RP, the Lithwick said losing his sight blindness. (Photo: Anthony Tuccitto)
8 9
(Continued from Ottawa native has roughly 60 is the “best thing” that ever
previous page) per cent of his vision left. happened to him.
“When I thought about what His central vision is clear, he “Now, everything I see has
would make the best place to says, but beyond that, it’s like so much more value to me,
do science, I came close to “looking through frosted glass”. because I know at some point I
something like this, but KDT is may not see it ever again,”
beyond anything I could have “If I hold my head in a certain he said.
imagined,” Matan-Lithwick position there are segments
said. “To put the people where I can see perfectly, and Overall, he says he’s just
together in the building that segments where my vision is lucky and fortunate to be
they did, in the space that they blurred,” he said. researching at KDT.
designed for this building, you Matan-Lithwick also “Regardless of what happens
create this magic.” continuously sees flashes of to me and my eyesight, I have
That magic comes in part light, indication that the cells the opportunity to make a
from KDT’s 105,000 square of his retina are dying right huge difference in people’s
feet of research space. The before his eyes. lives. That’s why I became
design fosters collaboration The impact of the disease, he a scientist in the first place,
and innovation among says, is most apparent at night. because I believe in what we
experts researching to cure can accomplish with research.”
Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, “At night, I basically see
blindness and more. nothing,” he said. RELATED
“So often, people are so In the lab, he copes with his Krembil Discovery Tower
focused on their own work, disease by keeping organized – TWRI recruits leader
but if you get people talking and forgiving. in vision research
to each other, you will get “Every now and then I’ll knock
the out-of-the-box science something over. It’s a bit Scientist seeks to
cure own disease
that otherwise would not be challenging not to be hard on (original UHN story)
possible. I’ve been here nine myself. When that happens, I
months and I can already feel have to just say, ‘C’est la vie,
the energy in this building,” you didn’t see it,’” he said.
Matan-Lithwick said.
Despite these visual reminders
‘Like frosted glass’ each and every day that the Stuart Matan-Lithwick continuously sees flashes of light, indication that the cells of his retina
As for the current state of world he sees is fading, Matan- are dying right before his eyes. He’s researching in the Krembil Discovery Tower to find a cure for
Matan-Lithwick’s RP, the Lithwick said losing his sight blindness. (Photo: Anthony Tuccitto)
8 9
