"It is downright unfathomable that eyes so perfectly gorgeous, so strikingly deep blue,
could somehow be flawed. Yet they are..."
- Bill Bigelow, Bend Bulletin

Rachael was born with a rare vision disorder known as Congenital Achromatopsia, which causes near sightedness, far sightedness and colorblindness. However, the rods are normal so people affected by this disorder generally have adequate peripheral vision.

Rachael can see her leaders although she describes them as "one dimensional". She can also watch gaits, determine and untangle gang lines, care for her dogs, camp-out and do what is necessary to race.  Rachael has spent her life around sled dogs and fully understands the hazards inherent in the sport.