Help Nas Fight Keratoconus

As many of you know my nephew Nas (Nasaiah) was recently diagnosed with a very rare eye disease called Keratoconus. Nas is only 14 years old and a freshman in high school.  He is a quiet teen who would do anything to help those around him, he up until recently loved playing xbox video games and hanging out with his friends at the library or local coffee house after school to do their homework together.  Due to the many side effects that this disease causes, many of Nas’ typical teenage enjoyment has been limited or come to a complete halt and it has  impacted him harshly. Aside from vision loss, he can not tolerate bright lights and suffers daily with viscous migraines in both his eyes that leave him in the bed in the dark with ice packs.  This disease is so rare that only 4% of the world's population suffers from it.  It destroys the cornea in which leads to vision distortion or in his case total loss of vision.  Unfortunately, the disease is effecting both eyes as it is known to be simultaneously, but usually worse in one eye. In his case his left eye has suffered the most, and his right eye is slowly progressing with the damage and catching up to the left.  As a family we've spent many sleepless nights doing research on treatments and endless days reaching out to doctors and treatment facilities.  Unfortunately, because of the rareness of the disease the United States does not offer many options. It was suggested to go to Canada or outside of the United States to seek help. Thankfully our prayers were answered and an Eye Treatment Facility in Manhattan has help restore our hope. After meeting with the specialist on Thursday (11/15) we were told Nas qualifies for a procedure known as "Cross-Linking.” Cross-Linking is not a cure but a surgical procedure where they can stop the progression of the disease. It won’t restore or give back any eye sight, but it will help stop any further damage to whatever sight still remains. The procedure is not covered by any insurance  and all cost are out of pocket.  Nas is just over the cusp of qualifying because the disease is progressing so quickly he has been scheduled for surgery ‪on December 19th.‬ The cost for the procedure is $3,000 per eye.  After the procedure he will need to be seen by the specialist in Manhattan on a daily basis the first week to insure that everything is healing correctly, which will require them to stay in the city close to the doctor. Then once a week for four months he will be seen to monitor the progress.  The cost of commuting to the city and hotel expenses will also need to be covered out of pocket. Eventually, he will then need to be fitted for special hard contact lenses that AGAIN are not covered by insurance.  My sister Melissa,  Nasaiah's mom is a single mother and is and has been doing her best to save up as much money as possible for the procedures and after care but as  we all know this isn't easy and as per the doctors - it can take up to two years to restore any vision.  We are holding on to hope that with time he will see clear again and be able to join back into activities a kid his age should be enjoying.