Bionic Man Going Blind
Donation protected
I like my eyesight. I like to see. I’d like to keep seeing. My doctors, however, are telling me that’s not very likely and if nothing is done I will go blind.
My wife and I are here today trying to come to grips with this life-changing disease, and are humbly asking for help. She calls me the Bionic Man! Here’s why:
Humpty Dumpty
When I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis 15 years ago, they gave me medication. That medication weakened my bones so badly that ten years later, all 16 bones of my lumbar and thoracic vertebrae simply collapsed. I went through two surgeries where they inserted CEMENT into my back. The pain has been almost unbearable since. They patched me up and put me all together again.
Like a Bad Drug Trip
Imagine you look at the faces of people you know and see a distorted image, like a digital impression that breaks up. That’s what I’m dealing with.
About 10 years ago I started noticing problems with my eyes. My doctor said it was simply flecks on my retina, nothing to worry about. But because I have Diabetes, we agreed it was important to monitor, to be sure it wasn’t affecting my eyes.
Years of trips to medical facilities followed. I was given a diagnosis of Stargardt Disease. The Montreal Association for the Blind agreed. My vision continued to worsen, while doctors were telling me there was nothing more they could do.
I have been suffering vision loss for years and have now lost my driver’s license. I have blind spots in my central vision. I have a hard time recognizing people. When I go into a crowd, faces get distorted. Just think for a moment how terrifying that might be. And when I get “flickering”, it is like being in an empty house with someone turning the lights on and off again. Each time it happens, I am petrified that when they go off, they won’t come on again.
But I am not blind enough to qualify for visual aides. I do volunteer work with the elderly and have proudly raised two children, but now some days I can barely walk. My wife considers me strong-willed and believes in me, but we need answers. I have to get a definitive diagnosis and purchase tools as I can no longer read: a magnifier, specialized glasses, a custom keyboard and a hand-held electronic reader with audio.
In Closing
I’ve been accepted into both Johns Hopkins and Mayo Clinic for treatment! I am very excited. This campaign will help me cover all procedures that I will have. Thank you in advance for donating!
My wife and I are here today trying to come to grips with this life-changing disease, and are humbly asking for help. She calls me the Bionic Man! Here’s why:
Humpty Dumpty
When I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis 15 years ago, they gave me medication. That medication weakened my bones so badly that ten years later, all 16 bones of my lumbar and thoracic vertebrae simply collapsed. I went through two surgeries where they inserted CEMENT into my back. The pain has been almost unbearable since. They patched me up and put me all together again.
Like a Bad Drug Trip
Imagine you look at the faces of people you know and see a distorted image, like a digital impression that breaks up. That’s what I’m dealing with.
About 10 years ago I started noticing problems with my eyes. My doctor said it was simply flecks on my retina, nothing to worry about. But because I have Diabetes, we agreed it was important to monitor, to be sure it wasn’t affecting my eyes.
Years of trips to medical facilities followed. I was given a diagnosis of Stargardt Disease. The Montreal Association for the Blind agreed. My vision continued to worsen, while doctors were telling me there was nothing more they could do.
I have been suffering vision loss for years and have now lost my driver’s license. I have blind spots in my central vision. I have a hard time recognizing people. When I go into a crowd, faces get distorted. Just think for a moment how terrifying that might be. And when I get “flickering”, it is like being in an empty house with someone turning the lights on and off again. Each time it happens, I am petrified that when they go off, they won’t come on again.
But I am not blind enough to qualify for visual aides. I do volunteer work with the elderly and have proudly raised two children, but now some days I can barely walk. My wife considers me strong-willed and believes in me, but we need answers. I have to get a definitive diagnosis and purchase tools as I can no longer read: a magnifier, specialized glasses, a custom keyboard and a hand-held electronic reader with audio.
In Closing
I’ve been accepted into both Johns Hopkins and Mayo Clinic for treatment! I am very excited. This campaign will help me cover all procedures that I will have. Thank you in advance for donating!
Organizer and beneficiary
Cliff Rodgers
Organizer
Côte Saint-Luc, QC
Cliff Rodgers
Beneficiary
