Joel's Keratoconus Campaign
Donation protected
My name is Joel Barrus, I am 26 years old and living with Keratoconus, a rare, degenerative form of astigmatism.
I am in need of an expensive surgery to restore my vision and immensely improve my quality of life. Getting my vision restored will allow me the confidence to continue to drive for my goals in work and life without fear of my vision impeding my progress. Any size donation will help with the costs. I truly appreciate your donation and time.
This is my story.
In February of 2012 I began Military Entrance Processing (MEPS). It was the first step in meeting my lifelong goal of serving as a Navy SEAL. That all changed when halfway through the medical evaluation I was pulled away and asked to wait for the ophthalmologist. As the minutes ticked by the fear and uncertainty continued to grow. Finally the door opened, the doctor sat down in front of me and asked, “Have you noticed any trouble with your vision?” “It’s a little fuzzy at times,” I responded. A long pause and a flip of the chart followed by the words that forever changed my life “You have Keratoconus”.
What is Keratoconus? As defined by the Mayo Clinic "Keratoconus (ker-uh-toe-KOH-nus) occurs when your cornea — the clear, dome-shaped front surface of your eye — thins and gradually bulges outward into a cone shape." Keratoconus affects the way light travels into my eyes, a normal shaped cornea is able to focus the light coming into your eyes into one specific point. With Keratoconus, the light coming into my eyes is distorted due to the bulging in my corneas, making the focusing of light all but impossible. As Keratoconus continues to progress, it can undoubtedly lead to blindness.
Days after being diagnosed my worst fears would be confirmed when I received an official letter from the Department of Defense which read 'This letter notifies you that as a result of your recent military entrance medical examination, you have been disqualified for entry into the Armed Forces of the United States.'
This was a devastating blow. All I had ever wanted, my life goal was no longer possible. All the ambition and purpose I had put in didn't matter. Keratoconus doesn't care about my life goals, or being able to see in the classroom. I could wake up the next day blind because of this disease. I didn’t know what was next, but I knew I needed to find myself again.
Two weeks later, I found myself on one knee, half conscious and dry heaving, I couldn't understand what had just happened to me. It was a kick in the teeth, an unbelievably awful 12 minutes of functional movement. How was I still standing and more importantly, why the hell was everyone congratulating me? As I was slowly regaining something resembling a normal breathing pattern, CrossFit Timpanogos Owner and Head Coach Ben McGregor walks over and asked a simple question that has always stuck with me, "How do you feel?". I can't remember what I responded with, but I felt like junk. For the first time in weeks, I wasn't worried about what I won't become, I was realizing what I could become. It is no exaggeration when I say CrossFit saved my life. CrossFit did not care that I had Keratoconus, hell, at 3..2..1..GO, I didn't care either. I had found passion again, it hit me like a freight train, I was now surrounded by people who knew what it was like to suffer and keep moving forward. I was alive!
A few months later in October of 2012 , after careful instruction at CrossFit Park City from Chris Spealler, Matt Chan, Neal Maddox and Kimmie Bozman. I was a certified Level 1 CrossFit Coach. My new passion was realized. I was living what I loved. Coaching and connecting with athletes, friends and family, anyone who would listen.This newfound purpose and passion had an incalculable impact on my life, I was no longer someone who HAS Keratoconus. I was living WITH Keratoconus I carried myself with hope, determined to believe I was winning the fight.
As I learned to live with the reality of Keratoconus I met with a specialist. I went through extensive tests, corneal mapping and answers the same questions 1 or.... 2 more times than I care to remember. I had Keratoconus, albeit mild at the time. I was hopeful, determined to believe it would not progress as I was told it would. Little did I know it would progress no matter what I wanted to believe. My vision continually worsened day by day. Losing my vision at an unpredictable pace is humbling and downright terrifying (much like an Open workout). Driving at night is perilous. The halos from oncoming cars and street lights take up 80% of my vision, with about 20 feet of visibility in perfect conditions, I need to stay focused on the road and trust that I can react quickly enough to any changes.
The past few months I have come to realize that my vision is quickly deteriorating and the disease feels as though it is holding me hostage more than ever. Contacts and glasses are no longer enough, and the common vision correction procedures Lasik and PRK are not an option for someone with Keratoconus. After taking my contacts out I notice there are colors I can no longer distinguish between. Details I cannot read and most importantly communication I fail to see, I've heard many times before that the majority of communication is nonverbal. A nod from a coach or a raise of the eyebrow from a friend during a workout, or walking into the 5:45pm class a smile from across the gym while a teammate works on a brutal chipper. All small things that mean alot. I can no longer see. It's a disarming feeling not knowing if a glance is at you or is just looking over to find a place on the pull up rig.
But there is hope. Intacts and Holcomb 3C-R, my beacons of light. They are procedures that when combined are extraordinarily effective in treating Keratoconus. Intacts to correct the damage already done and Holcomb 3C-R to stop the Keratoconus from progressing further These procedures have the chance to restore my vision to near 20/20.
But vision comes at a cost. These procedures will cost me around $20,000, and while I have some savings that I will be using I still need more so I can have this procedure and stop the quick decline in my vision.
This is where YOU, my Family, Friends, and CrossFit family can help. I wanted to tell my story and ask for your help in the form of donations, any amount would make a huge difference in my life and I will be forever grateful and I will gladly do burpees for you.
Thank you for taking time to read my story. I genuinely appreciate a simple share or donation of any amount and look forward to sharing my experience with anyone who has ever felt hopeless and let them know there is a whole world of great people ready to help you reclaim your life.
- Joel Evan Barrus
I am in need of an expensive surgery to restore my vision and immensely improve my quality of life. Getting my vision restored will allow me the confidence to continue to drive for my goals in work and life without fear of my vision impeding my progress. Any size donation will help with the costs. I truly appreciate your donation and time.
This is my story.
In February of 2012 I began Military Entrance Processing (MEPS). It was the first step in meeting my lifelong goal of serving as a Navy SEAL. That all changed when halfway through the medical evaluation I was pulled away and asked to wait for the ophthalmologist. As the minutes ticked by the fear and uncertainty continued to grow. Finally the door opened, the doctor sat down in front of me and asked, “Have you noticed any trouble with your vision?” “It’s a little fuzzy at times,” I responded. A long pause and a flip of the chart followed by the words that forever changed my life “You have Keratoconus”.
What is Keratoconus? As defined by the Mayo Clinic "Keratoconus (ker-uh-toe-KOH-nus) occurs when your cornea — the clear, dome-shaped front surface of your eye — thins and gradually bulges outward into a cone shape." Keratoconus affects the way light travels into my eyes, a normal shaped cornea is able to focus the light coming into your eyes into one specific point. With Keratoconus, the light coming into my eyes is distorted due to the bulging in my corneas, making the focusing of light all but impossible. As Keratoconus continues to progress, it can undoubtedly lead to blindness.
Days after being diagnosed my worst fears would be confirmed when I received an official letter from the Department of Defense which read 'This letter notifies you that as a result of your recent military entrance medical examination, you have been disqualified for entry into the Armed Forces of the United States.'
This was a devastating blow. All I had ever wanted, my life goal was no longer possible. All the ambition and purpose I had put in didn't matter. Keratoconus doesn't care about my life goals, or being able to see in the classroom. I could wake up the next day blind because of this disease. I didn’t know what was next, but I knew I needed to find myself again.
Two weeks later, I found myself on one knee, half conscious and dry heaving, I couldn't understand what had just happened to me. It was a kick in the teeth, an unbelievably awful 12 minutes of functional movement. How was I still standing and more importantly, why the hell was everyone congratulating me? As I was slowly regaining something resembling a normal breathing pattern, CrossFit Timpanogos Owner and Head Coach Ben McGregor walks over and asked a simple question that has always stuck with me, "How do you feel?". I can't remember what I responded with, but I felt like junk. For the first time in weeks, I wasn't worried about what I won't become, I was realizing what I could become. It is no exaggeration when I say CrossFit saved my life. CrossFit did not care that I had Keratoconus, hell, at 3..2..1..GO, I didn't care either. I had found passion again, it hit me like a freight train, I was now surrounded by people who knew what it was like to suffer and keep moving forward. I was alive!
A few months later in October of 2012 , after careful instruction at CrossFit Park City from Chris Spealler, Matt Chan, Neal Maddox and Kimmie Bozman. I was a certified Level 1 CrossFit Coach. My new passion was realized. I was living what I loved. Coaching and connecting with athletes, friends and family, anyone who would listen.This newfound purpose and passion had an incalculable impact on my life, I was no longer someone who HAS Keratoconus. I was living WITH Keratoconus I carried myself with hope, determined to believe I was winning the fight.
As I learned to live with the reality of Keratoconus I met with a specialist. I went through extensive tests, corneal mapping and answers the same questions 1 or.... 2 more times than I care to remember. I had Keratoconus, albeit mild at the time. I was hopeful, determined to believe it would not progress as I was told it would. Little did I know it would progress no matter what I wanted to believe. My vision continually worsened day by day. Losing my vision at an unpredictable pace is humbling and downright terrifying (much like an Open workout). Driving at night is perilous. The halos from oncoming cars and street lights take up 80% of my vision, with about 20 feet of visibility in perfect conditions, I need to stay focused on the road and trust that I can react quickly enough to any changes.
The past few months I have come to realize that my vision is quickly deteriorating and the disease feels as though it is holding me hostage more than ever. Contacts and glasses are no longer enough, and the common vision correction procedures Lasik and PRK are not an option for someone with Keratoconus. After taking my contacts out I notice there are colors I can no longer distinguish between. Details I cannot read and most importantly communication I fail to see, I've heard many times before that the majority of communication is nonverbal. A nod from a coach or a raise of the eyebrow from a friend during a workout, or walking into the 5:45pm class a smile from across the gym while a teammate works on a brutal chipper. All small things that mean alot. I can no longer see. It's a disarming feeling not knowing if a glance is at you or is just looking over to find a place on the pull up rig.
But there is hope. Intacts and Holcomb 3C-R, my beacons of light. They are procedures that when combined are extraordinarily effective in treating Keratoconus. Intacts to correct the damage already done and Holcomb 3C-R to stop the Keratoconus from progressing further These procedures have the chance to restore my vision to near 20/20.
But vision comes at a cost. These procedures will cost me around $20,000, and while I have some savings that I will be using I still need more so I can have this procedure and stop the quick decline in my vision.
This is where YOU, my Family, Friends, and CrossFit family can help. I wanted to tell my story and ask for your help in the form of donations, any amount would make a huge difference in my life and I will be forever grateful and I will gladly do burpees for you.
Thank you for taking time to read my story. I genuinely appreciate a simple share or donation of any amount and look forward to sharing my experience with anyone who has ever felt hopeless and let them know there is a whole world of great people ready to help you reclaim your life.
- Joel Evan Barrus
Organizer
Joel Barrus
Organizer
Forest Grove, OR
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