Mazen Istanbouli

Mazen Istanbouli was born with retinitis pigmentosa, which is a progressive hereditary disease that affects thousands of Americans to various degrees of severity. In the last five years, gradually Mazen started to lose more of his remaining vision. At this point his vision is restricted to shadows.

In spite of the vision loss Mazen is living a full and productive life. He has traveled extensively around the globe, lives independently and is a “gourmet cook”. Mazen often creates his own recipes, and frequently entertains his many friends at home. Mazen has been living in the Chicago lakefront area for the last 15 years where he enjoys the parks, museums, theatres, fine restaurants and the multiplicity of musical events. 

It is no wonder then that he was drawn to another challenge. In 2005 with the help of trainer and friend, Jane Neumann, Mazen was able to participate and finish the Chicago triathlon and the Malibu triathlon. He reflects on his experiences as fun and rewarding, reminiscing having a wave of anxiety relieved when several pods of dolphins swam up beside the team as they practiced “in and outs” at the big surf of Zuma beach, and “flying” down the Pacific Coast Highway on the tandem bike. Besides getting to know the outstanding athletes and human beings, he says that he is in the best shape of his life, and “It gives me such a sense of freedom to be running, swimming and biking outside”. 

Mazen received his PhD in cultural and educational policy studies in 2000 with distinction from Loyola University. He has taught in a number of colleges and is currently teaching political science at DePaul University. After almost 20 years of teaching Mazen is branching out into other areas such as creative writing. Recently his play, “Dusk to Dusk” was featured in a writers’ showcase at the Victory Garden Theatre in Chicago.

Mazen is very involved with the blind and visually impaired community in Chicago. He serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Blind Services Association, and spends many hours volunteering at the Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education for senior citizens who have recently experienced vision loss. He also mentors high school students in a leadership and advocacy program.