John Parker Overcoming The Odds

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John Parker hails from Topeka, Kansas, and has a more interesting story than most. He is competing in today's event despite being legally blind. John suffers from a degenerative illness called severe bilateral optic neuritis, a condition he has suffered with since the age of 20, when he was hit in the face with a ball while refereeing a soccer match.

John holds his cards very close to his eyes to read them, and relies on the assistance of the dealer to announce all of the action. John is having no problems at the tables today, where he currently sits with about 13,000. His biggest problem is actually in the hallways where he relies on the assistance of a friend to work his way through mass of people.

This is John's first-ever WSOP event. "I'm just thrilled. I'm very grateful to be here," he said.

John continues to work with the blind and when away from the tables he successfully coaches a blind baseball team. We wish John all the best in today's event and in the future.

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