Local

Holiday miracle: Local teen sees Christmas colors thanks to special glasses

FLOYD COUNTY, Ga. — Justin Hammons has never seen true Christmas colors in his life. He was born with colorblindness, affecting his ability to see red and green.

The 16-year-old junior at Coosa High School in Rome was determined to make this year different than others – he wanted to experience Christmas just like everyone else.

“I just wanted to see Christmas lights,” Hammons told his mother.

The colors always appeared gray-ish to Justin.

Hammons’ mother, Carla Hammons, told Channel 2 Action News that the teen recently learned that there are special glasses available for people with colorblindness to see colors.

The teen set up a GoFundMe account to help pay for the expensive glasses and within 24 hours, he raised $220, more than enough to buy a pair of Pilestone Inc. TP-025 glasses.

So last week, after he waited several days, the glasses finally arrived in the mail.

His mother recorded video of the special moment when he opened the package on the front porch of their home. It was an experience the family will never forget.

Even before putting on the glasses, Justin became emotional and began crying knowing that his life will never be the same again.

When he put on his glasses, the first thing he looked at was his prized red pickup truck.

Hammons went from wiping tears from his eyes to exploring the newly-colorful world around him.

His mother set up colored balloons for him to look at and celebrate the momentous occasion.

Carla Hammons said Justin hasn’t taken the special glasses off since he’s gotten them. She said the school has been extremely supportive of Justin, allowing him to wear the glasses during class.

Carla Hammons said the experience has taught her to appreciate the everyday blessings.

“Being able to see colors each and everyday is a blessing and we fail to realize what a gift our senses really are!” Carla Hammons said.

Carla Hammons said Justin has been spending a lot of time over the past few days riding around in his red truck, looking at Christmas lights in the area.

That’s all he wanted this holiday season.

Holiday miracle: Local teen sees Christmas colors thanks to special glasses

🎄 All Justin Hammons wanted in his life was to see Christmas colors. But he was born colorblind, unable to see red and green. After raising the money himself, he was bought special glasses giving him the gift of color -- and his reaction was priceless: https://2wsb.tv/36Ocq51

Posted by WSB-TV on Tuesday, December 17, 2019