In NHL.com’s Q&A feature called "Sitting Down with …" we talk to key figures in the game, gaining insight into their lives on and off the ice. This week, to help mark Veterans Day and the Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Veterans Appreciation Night doubleheader on Tuesday (Toronto Maple Leafs at Boston Bruins, 7 p.m. ET, Anaheim Ducks at Colorado Avalanche, 9:30 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, truTV, TNT), we feature blind hockey advocate and retired United States Air Force veteran Craig Fitzpatrick.

Craig Fitzpatrick felt his life and career plans fading with his eyesight.

The 49-year-old retired Air Force veteran was diagnosed in 2002 with Stargardt disease, a rare genetic eye disease that causes vision loss in children and young adults.

"I didn't realize when I lost my vision how long it would take m

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