Mother with Stargardt disease learns Braille and white cane use to prepare for total blindness

Episode 3137 Family of Love>

A mother with a rare disease who chose three sons instead of her sight... Challenges continue even in the face of total blindness!

'2026 Yeosu World Island Expo' claims to be a barrier-free festival... But what about facilities for the disabled?

Broadcast: October 10, 2026 (Sat) 11:10 AM KBS 1TV

‘Beautiful People’ Love even if they cannot see

In Nowon-gu, Seoul, lives Yoo Hyeon-jin, a mother losing her sight due to the rare genetic disease Stargardt disease, her reliable husband Jang Myeong-jong, and their three mischievous sons: the eldest, Won-woo, and 4-year-old twins Hae-seong and Ha-dam. Yoo Hyeon-jin noted that during elementary school, she suddenly found it difficult to see the writing on the classroom blackboard. Later, she was diagnosed with a visual impairment at age 19, but it was difficult for her to accept her disability. Since she was still able to perform daily activities even with blurred vision, she did not receive Braille or white cane walking training.

Instead, she met Jang Myeong-jong at a karate gym where she went to exercise, and after two years of dating, they became a married couple. Yoo Hyeon-jin was grateful to her husband, who knew about her disability while dating her and received his parents' permission for the marriage without hesitation. Although she knew her vision could worsen significantly after having children, she chose her eldest son, Won-woo, over her sight without regret. She gave birth to twin sons amidst joy and happiness, but her vision subsequently declined rapidly.

Until last year, she could distinguish light and shapes. This year, she has lost central vision and even her peripheral vision has become blurred, making it difficult to distinguish stickers on induction cooktop burners. Taking the three children out becomes increasingly difficult. However, because of her three sons, mother Yoo Hyeon-jin has started new challenges instead of giving up or falling into despair. Specifically, she has decided to prepare for a life as a person with total blindness for the sake of her children. She is preparing for a life without sight by taking on Braille, white cane walking training, and cooking classes for the visually impaired, which she had postponed until now.

Furthermore, through voice-supported writing, she published an essay collection expressing her feelings while raising three sons as a visually impaired mother. This is because she wants to show through her writing the heart of a mother who always held onto love even without sight, once her children grow old enough to read her book. We meet the story of Yoo Hyeon-jin, a mother who chose her beloved family instead of her sight, and who still prepares for tomorrow with dignity and courage.

‘Going to the End’ Disabled people also want to enjoy the Island Expo

The 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo is the world's first international event to promote the charm of islands. To welcome visitors from all over the world, it has heavily promoted not only advanced exhibition halls but also a 'barrier-free festival' that anyone can enjoy comfortably.

In response, a local person with a physical disability from Yeosu, supporting the success of the hometown festival, personally went to the site to inspect it using a wheelchair. However, contrary to expectations, the half-price yacht heading to the main venue completely blocked entry for electric wheelchairs, and the free shuttle buses could not be boarded because they were not low-floor buses. As for the restrooms, while safety bars and faucet heights were considered for use by the disabled, they are currently filled with pedal-type toilets that are inevitably inconvenient for wheelchair users who cannot use their legs. In this episode of ‘Going to the End,’ we will point out the hidden barriers faced by disabled users within the festival grounds so that it can be reborn as a barrier-free festival that everyone can enjoy together, and seek practical improvement measures.

(Photo provided = KBS 1TV ‘Family of Love’)

◆ At a Glance

· Publishing Institution: KBS

· Category: Family of Love

· Distribution: October 1, 10:11

Source: KBS Press Release

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