NEWPORT--Benefits are being planned for a 12-year-old Cosby boy who is losing his vision because of an eye disease.

Dalton Blake Allen, the son of Donna Allen and Michael Allen, has had vision problems for a while, according to his aunt, Thelma Davis.

She explained as his vision worsened, his family took him to Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina, and about three months ago he was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa.

"He has lost his night vision, and has lost side vision. He will eventually lose all his vision," said Davis. "There is no cure for this, so he is going blind."

Dalton, who is a fifth grader at Cosby Elementary School, will begin learning to read Braille before he loses his sight, his aunt said.

The first benefit, set for Oct. 18, will be TEW Professional Wrestling at the National Guard Armory starting at 8 p.m.

A second benefit is set the following week on Oct. 25 with an auction at 7 p.m. followed by TEW Wrestling at 8 p.m. at the Armory.

"If someone doesn't want to attend wrestling, they can come to the auction and leave when the wrestling starts," Davis said.

Admission for the wrestling is $8 per person.

"We want to thank the National Guard Armory staff for their generosity," said Davis. "And, we'd like to thank everyone for their support."

Retinitis pigmentosa is defined as "one of a large group of inherited disorders in which abnormalities of the photoreceptors (the rods and cones) in the retina, which leads to progressive visual loss. People with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) first experience defective dark adaptation ("night blindness"), then constriction of the visual field ("tunnel vision") and eventually loss of central vision."

An account has been set up for Dalton at National Bank of Tennessee (NBT). Donations may be dropped off at NBT or mailed to National Bank of Tennessee Cosby Branch, ATTN: Jennifer, P.O. Box 669, Newport, TN 37822. Checks should be made payable to the Dalton Allen Fund.

Items are also needed for the benefit auction.

To make a contribution, or for more information, call Thelma Davis at (423) 487-2250 or Donna Allen at (865) 228-2990.