Save Sizi's Sight Phase 2

Updated April 2017 , in commemoration of World Meningitis Day, April 24th, 2017.


In October 2014, my daughter, Sizi Modeira, a bright and talented 30-year-old, lost her sight and 20 per cent of the hearing in her left ear to meningitis.

I vividly remember the day I arrived at her apartment to find her with a very high fever, very confused and too weak to walk without help. After trying to comfort her and determine the best course of action, I told her it was best that we go to the hospital. She made her way feebly to the washroom, and as I helped her back to her bed she told me the words that pierced my heart, "Mom, I cannot see you" I immediately called 911 and she was taken to the hospital….and this was the beginning of a major and traumatic change of life for my courageous daughter, and myself.

Sizi had contracted bacterial meningitis, and if I had not found her then, she would probably not have lived. The streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, infected her meninges (the membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord of the central nervous system), as well as her eyes.

 Sizi presently remains blind in both eyes, and continues to recuperate from this life threatening infection with serious after-effects including including loss of 30% hearing in one ear, loss of energy, and post-traumatic stress. The migraines, severe dizziness  and body convultions have subsided and Sizi continues to bravely learn how to cope with her sudden loss of vision, still requiring constant medical help and costly daily supervision and therapy.

Having been denied surgery in Canada, as the opthamology teams in Toronto and Ottawa have decided that they will not attempt to do a cornea transplant and retina attachment to allow her some regain of vision, we were able to travel to Tel Aviv last February, and successfully completed the 1st surgery, a live cornea transplant, at a total cost of $$38,000 CAD - of which $16,000 was raised by this campaign, the rest coming from personal loans from family and friends.

Sizi is now ready for the 2nd surgery, the retina attachment. It's a critical surgery, with the aim to giving her the ability to have some  vision restored immediately. Sizi discerns now various degrees of light, close movement and at times shadows, in the wake of her surgery in February 2016.

Stil encouraged by her determination - “Mom, I believe in miracles”.... I’m now launching the 2nd phase of her GoFundMe  crowd funding appeal for donations, to raise $38,000 more to help pay for this second surgery. 

With World Meningitis Day almost here, Monday April 24th, 2017, we hope that you can find it in your hearts to help Sizi regain her eyesight by donating and sending words of encouragement to her.

Link to Sizi's CTV interview on April 24th, 2015 World Meningitis Day

http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=599801


Please donate to help Sizi to live her dream of having her eye surgeries as soon as possible.