Preventing Mom's Blindness
Donation protected
My name is Kellen and I have started this campaign for my mother. Asking for help is very hard for me to do, and something I have been putting off. But, as this is not about me, I need to do it.
She was recently diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy, a condition that will lead to blindness if preventative measures are not taken. The length of time before she is no longer able to see can't be predicted as it could happen 2 days from now or 2 years from now. As the diagnosis was so late in being made (they held off because her kidneys are weak and the test was very hard on them), it is already in an advanced stage, meaning a much shorter period of time is likely.
This has effected every part of her life, even at the stage it is now. Many days she can't see well enough to read and her mail has to be read for her. Due to a botched surgery for a broken ankle, she is already very off balance, which is only exacerbated when she becomes disorriented and dizzy from her vision. This has lead to many falls already, most recently landing her in the hospital with damage done to her ribs and arm.
On days that her vision is better, she still deals with black spots, white spots, floaters, blurred vision, headaches, and hallucinations both visual (people, objects, animals, etc. that are not there) and auditory (voices, knocking on the door, alarms). No matter the condition of her vision, going outside causes her to be unable to see at all as the brightness turns her vision completely white.
She recently turned 58, and conversations about finding a nursing home should not be happening as often as they are. It inhibits many regular tasks to where she needs constant help. Cooking has become dangerous as her depth perception is effected as well. At this point she isn't able to live on her own, and she doesn't have any friends or family in the area that are able to help her regularly.
She was supposed to have care through a friend that convinced her to sell or leave most of her belongings and move in with her in another state, but that friend turned out to be unreliable and very quickly asked my mom to move out when it started being inconvenient. This put her in a bad area that she doesn't know, with a long lease, and very few possessions.
There are two different treatments associated with diabetic retinopathy, both of which are not permanent and require multiple procedures to correct and maintain vision.
The first is laser surgery. This is easily the most expensive option, but it also has results that last much longer. Laser surgery is also not always possible, depending on the state of her eyes when it is time to perform the surgery.
The second would be a series of injections. These last for a shorter period of time, but can be damaging to her kidneys and blood pressure. While by no means cheap, the injections are less costly in the short term.
No matter the option, it is something that needs to be started immediately as there is no guarantee how long her vision will last. It has become increasingly worse in the last two months which doesn't put time on her side.
That is why I have set up this page. All monies would go towards the treatment the doctor chooses, post care, additional medications, appointments, and continued treatment as required.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. We'll both be extremely greatful for any help people are able to give in this situation.
She was recently diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy, a condition that will lead to blindness if preventative measures are not taken. The length of time before she is no longer able to see can't be predicted as it could happen 2 days from now or 2 years from now. As the diagnosis was so late in being made (they held off because her kidneys are weak and the test was very hard on them), it is already in an advanced stage, meaning a much shorter period of time is likely.
This has effected every part of her life, even at the stage it is now. Many days she can't see well enough to read and her mail has to be read for her. Due to a botched surgery for a broken ankle, she is already very off balance, which is only exacerbated when she becomes disorriented and dizzy from her vision. This has lead to many falls already, most recently landing her in the hospital with damage done to her ribs and arm.
On days that her vision is better, she still deals with black spots, white spots, floaters, blurred vision, headaches, and hallucinations both visual (people, objects, animals, etc. that are not there) and auditory (voices, knocking on the door, alarms). No matter the condition of her vision, going outside causes her to be unable to see at all as the brightness turns her vision completely white.
She recently turned 58, and conversations about finding a nursing home should not be happening as often as they are. It inhibits many regular tasks to where she needs constant help. Cooking has become dangerous as her depth perception is effected as well. At this point she isn't able to live on her own, and she doesn't have any friends or family in the area that are able to help her regularly.
She was supposed to have care through a friend that convinced her to sell or leave most of her belongings and move in with her in another state, but that friend turned out to be unreliable and very quickly asked my mom to move out when it started being inconvenient. This put her in a bad area that she doesn't know, with a long lease, and very few possessions.
There are two different treatments associated with diabetic retinopathy, both of which are not permanent and require multiple procedures to correct and maintain vision.
The first is laser surgery. This is easily the most expensive option, but it also has results that last much longer. Laser surgery is also not always possible, depending on the state of her eyes when it is time to perform the surgery.
The second would be a series of injections. These last for a shorter period of time, but can be damaging to her kidneys and blood pressure. While by no means cheap, the injections are less costly in the short term.
No matter the option, it is something that needs to be started immediately as there is no guarantee how long her vision will last. It has become increasingly worse in the last two months which doesn't put time on her side.
That is why I have set up this page. All monies would go towards the treatment the doctor chooses, post care, additional medications, appointments, and continued treatment as required.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. We'll both be extremely greatful for any help people are able to give in this situation.
Organiser and beneficiary
Kellen Wood
Organiser
Las Vegas, NV
Mary Wood
Beneficiary
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