February 9, 2024

Glenn Beck Diagnosed with Macular Dystrophy

Glenn Beck announced at a July presentation of his Salt Lake City, Utah, “American Revival” tour, that his doctors have diagnosed him with the rare progressive eye disease macular dystrophy. How will Beck deal with the prospect of going blind? A look at how he has dealt with past misfortunes may shed some light on how he will cope with this current bit of troubling news.

Alcoholic and suicide maelstrom a part childhood
Beck’s parents, William and Mary Beck, raised their family of two daughters and one son, principally in three Washington cities; Everett, Mountlake Terrace and Mount Vernon, Washington. In Mount Vernon, Beck’s parents operated a bakery, but in 1977, William Beck filed for divorce from Mary due to alcohol abuse. In 1979, Beck’s mother drowned along with a male friend in the waters of Puget Sound. There are conflicting reports on cause of death, whether death resulted from accidental drowning or suicide. Beck has publicly stated his mother committed suicide. Following the death of his mother, Beck’s step-brother committed suicide, and a brother-in-law died of a heart attack, all occurrences before he reached his twentieth birthday. Beck has said he coped with all these personal tragedies by turning to alcohol.

Marriage and traumatic birth of a daughter
In 1983, Beck left Washington for Provo, Utah. While working at a local radio station, Beck met and married his first wife, Claire. The couple had two daughters, Hannah and Mary. In 1988, Mary suffered a series of strokes during birth resulting in cerebral palsy. In 1994, Beck and his wife divorced as he struggled not only with alcoholism and drug abuse, he was also diagnosed as having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Beck has said it was then he contemplated killing himself while listening to Kurt Cobain tunes. In November 1994, Beck states he attended his first AA meeting, which aided him in kicking his alcohol and drug addictions; a momentous feat for someone who admitted getting high from 1979 to 1994.

Two life changing events
In 1999, Beck married his second wife, Tania, and together they have an adopted son, Raphe and a birth daughter, Cheyenne. Also, in October 1999, the Beck’s chose to become baptized members in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The latest trial for Glenn Beck
In July 2010, Beck announced he had been diagnosed with macular dystrophy. He stated his doctor said, “You could go blind in the next year. Or you may not.” During the revealing moment with his audience, Beck seemed to accept the diagnosis when he remarked that he knows what the faces of his wife and children look like. But, he began to cry as he said, “But, I love to read, and I’m too darn lazy to learn Braille.”

The challenge
Depending upon the diagnosis given to Beck by his doctors, the condition may or may not be treatable. In the case of macular corneal dystrophy, a corneal transplant is a treatment option.

And, in the case of macular dystrophy affecting the retina, severe blind spots can result due to formation of non-transparent spots on the eye. Yes, vision can progressively worsen, but total blindness is not a foregone conclusion.

Macular degeneration is an age related eye condition, where there is a loss of organ function due to rapid growth of abnormal blood vessels.

Though he’s fallen and shown human vulnerability in extremely difficult circumstances, Beck has shown a dogged resilience. He has a good support system in place and is a tenacious fighter, as the Van Jones’ of the world can testify to. Politics aside, a person’s eyesight is a precious gift, and many are praying for a good outcome for the Beckster.