LAKELAND, Fla. – One student’s low vision is causing a community to see life like never before. Sailor Gammons, 11, is set to be celebrated as one of the Tax Collector’s Award of Distinction (AoD) recipients for the Kids Tag Art (KTA) license plate he designed in class at Babson Park Elementary School.
Sailor was diagnosed with horizontal nystagmus, a condition which causes low vision, at just eight weeks old. At the time, he had no sight at all. His mother, Amy Gammons, explains his vision came slowly.
“He could not track objects and wouldn’t even respond to a flashlight in a dark room,” Gammons says, “but within the first year he began to track objects above his head.”
Sailor’s love for art also started early. His truck drawings brought joy in preschool, and his talent advanced each year!
“It’s fun. I get to be creative, show my skills, and show that even if you have vision problems you can do anything anyone else can do, maybe even better!” Sailor beams. 
Nystagmus causes involuntary rapid eye movement, which in Sailor’s case is side to side. Because of this, his art technique involves keeping a close eye to the paper throughout his design process. Aside from drawing or reading, Sailor has learned to use a larger computer screen to take pictures of things like assignments on a whiteboard, and study them closely at his desk.
“We believe God gave us Sailor so we could truly SEE the beauty of life, the importance of faith, and the power of prayer,” Gammons reflects.
His unique story has been impactful to his teacher, Colleen Rigel, too.
“What’s most amazing about Sailor is that he was born to create, so he does that, while overcoming the challenge of visual impairment. He doesn’t let that hold him back, ever. I love it when families find ways to nurture and encourage their child’s creativity, and his family does that beautifully. Sailor is such an incredibly gifted, kind young man. I can’t wait to see where he’ll take this gift and use it in the future!” Rigel glowed. 
“I was so impressed with Sailor’s talent!” Tax Collector Joe G. Tedder stated. “To learn that he uses a special technique to overcome his vision challenge is even more remarkable!” Tedder continued. “I have an uncle who is blind but went on to be one of the first two blind graduates of the University of Florida and ended his professional career as a Director of Blind Services for the State of Florida.
“I am continuously in awe of the determination, talent, and passion Individuals have, even when they are faced with these obstacles,” he said. “It is obvious that nothing is going to stop Sailor from living out his dreams.”
Sailor is especially thrilled to stand be a 2024-2025 KTA AoD recipient, because his older sister received the distinction in 2023. Lilybeth Gammons, 13, represented Babson Park Elementary for the 2022-2023 school year of KTA. Sailor and his family will be in attendance for the awards ceremony on Tuesday evening, March 4, in Lakeland.
2022-2023 Kids Tag Art Board Choice Award’s Lilybeth Gammons, Babson Park Elementary. Photos by Calvin Knight.