Lisa Richardson

Position: Board Member

Lisa Richardson is the parent of a son, Kip, living with Coats’ Disease. Lisa and Kip were first introduced to the Jack McGovern Coats’ Foundation in 2017, when a routine eye appointment led to the early diagnosis of Kip’s Coats’ Disease. Lisa is passionate about raising awareness and works tirelessly to educate her community and beyond. She has worked with multiple churches and nonprofits and has found her true passion in the mission of the Jack McGovern Coats’ Disease Foundation.

Lisa grew up on a farm in rural Kentucky. She and husband, Keith, were high school sweethearts who married young and moved around the eastern half of the United States. Lisa and Keith have three children, Hadley, Lydia, and Kip, who keep them on their toes and bring them their greatest happiness.

In 2012, Lisa was diagnosed with a rare cancer and, after overcoming that battle, she and Keith focused their efforts on relocating their family closer to home. In 2013, they were able to move to Nashville, TN, where they make their home today.

In 2020, Lisa was diagnosed with and beat cancer for a second time, which only fueled her fire more for promoting awareness and research of Coats’ Disease. She has seen what research and accessible information can accomplish in her own life through her battles with cancer. Much like with cancer, early detection of Coats’ Disease can have an incredible impact.

Homeschooling her three children and raising a menagerie of animals fills much of her days. As a compassionate and relational person, Lisa loves working with parents and family members of Coats’ patients. She sees intense value in supporting one another and, as an extrovert, she thrives off friendships and community.

Lisa is a music lover who appreciates living in Music City. She attends as many concerts and live shows as time allows. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, hosting, and organizing parties and events for family and friends.

Lisa is excited to be a part of the Jack McGovern Coats’ Disease Foundation, as she knows firsthand what a wonderful resource it is.

FAQ

At the Jack McGovern Coats’ Disease Foundation, we are often contacted by anxious parents or patients who are seeking information after receiving a diagnosis of Coats’ Disease. The questions below are provided as a resource to assist you as you and your doctor decide the best approach for treatment. These questions do not constitute any form of medical advice or diagnosis. Each patient is unique. An experienced retinal specialist who has examined the patient is the best source of information for diagnosis and treatment. We always recommend getting a second opinion.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor (Download PDF)

Ahead of any treatments or procedures, it is important to ask yourself and the doctor the following questions:
- How do you know that this is Coats’ Disease?
- Has your doctor treated other patients with Coats’ Disease?
- Have you sought a second opinion? If not, please consult our Doctor Directory for knowledgeable doctors in your area.
- What Stage of Coats’ Disease is he/she in?
- Will his/her vision get worse over time?
- Will the eye have pain?
- Will his/her eye start to turn out? Is muscle corrective surgery an option?
- Are cataracts likely?
- How likely is glaucoma? (due to retinal detachment)
- Is there calcification?
- What is the anticipated disease progression?
- Is there a thorough vision exam available?
- Where is the vision affected? (central/peripheral/distance)
- Does he/she have depth perception? (3D visibility)
- What about the non-Coats’ eye?
- To what extent is his/her vision affected?
- Will we be able to use this as a baseline to measure progress/decline?