LOS ANGELES, Calif.—EyeBuyDirect, an online retailer for prescription eyewear, is honoring Colleen Young, a silver and bronze Paralympic medalist, for her achievements as an athlete, role model, and champion for eye health with the second annual Eyebuydirect Eye Care Award. Young will receive a $25,000 contribution from EyeBuyDirect—funds that will be used to support Young's training efforts toward competing in the 2024 Paris Paralympics, her fourth Olympic event. At age 14, Young became the youngest athlete to compete for Team USA in 2012 and currently holds three USA Paralympian world records.

She is also an advocate for people with disabilities, particularly those with visual impairments, and uses her platform to raise awareness and offer a voice to others impacted by albinism.

"I didn't have a role model I could really relate to when I was just starting my Olympic career at 14. Now, it's so important to me to fill that void for other people impacted by Albinism or other vision-related conditions," said Young. "I am proof that it's possible to do extraordinary things even with disadvantages. Generous supporters like EyeBuyDirect help make my dreams come true, and my goal is to motivate people to overcome hurdles in their own lives to pursue their dreams."

Young was born with albinism and as result has an incurable visual impairment that deems her legally blind. She must go through great lengths to protect her ultra-sensitive eyes daily.

"We are just beyond impressed with Colleen Young, she is such a hero to so many and we are proud to be honoring and supporting her efforts to compete in the upcoming Paralympics," said Sunny Jiang, CEO of EyeBuyDirect. "Colleen's advocacy for eyecare, positive spirit and relentless energy for overcoming obstacles is incredibly inspiring and makes her the perfect recipient of our 2022 Eye Care Award."