Save Joshua's Vision

This campaign is to save my son, Joshua Hershman's eyesight.  Joshua is 30, married, works as an accountant, and has one son.  Joshua also has an eye disease called Keratoconus.  They are not sure what causes this disease, but there is no cure.  

Let me explain. Normally, the cornea has a dome shape, like a ball. Sometimes, however, the structure of the cornea is just not strong enough to hold this round shape and the cornea bulges outward like a cone. This condition is called keratoconus. The changes in the shape of the cornea can happen quickly or may occur over several years. This bulging causes severe vision issues and requires hard contact lenses to force the eye back into shape.  These contacts help his vision, but they don't totally correct it so he will never see 20/20 again.

Also, as the eye bulges, the cornea thins. This thinning eventually causes the back of the cornea to rip and develop stretch marks. Once this happens, the vision can only be restored with a cornea transplant.  A cornea transplant is only good for 10 years, requires anti-rejection meds, and a simple eye infection could result in permanent blindness. Truly, a last resort!

The changes in the eye can stop at any time, or they can continue for decades, but they never get better. There is no way to predict how fast it will progress. Joshua was diagnosed four years ago and the disease has progressed rapidly.  Currently, without the special contacts at $500 each eye, Joshua is legally blind. In addition, his cornea have become extremely thin so recently, he was sent to see a specialist in Indianapolis.  

There is a treatment being performed to stop the progression of the disease.  Although still experimental in the US, this treatment has been used widely throughout Europe for 12 years, and has a 98% success rate, with 4,000 patients treated in Indianapolis in the last 7 years. Thankfully, Dr. Ireland in Valparaiso, referred Joshua to the experimental trial at Price Vision Group in Indianapolis, just in time. 

Joshua must have this eye surgery. Although he will not be cured because the bulging is not reversible, this procedure will stop the progression of the disease and hopefully prevent a cornea transplant. Because the procedure is still experimental, insurance will not pay for it.  The total cost is $4,000.  In addition, Joshua will not be able to wear contacts for at least five weeks, which means he will not be able to drive or work during that time. His father and I will help him with expenses while he is off work, but we can't afford the surgery, too.

Time is of the essence. Joshua's progression is one of the fastest the specialist has ever seen. This procedure can not be done after the cornea rips or has stretch marks. We do NOT want to risk a cornea transplant. He is scheduled for the surgery on November 13th if we can figure out how to pay for it.  PLEASE HELP, ASAP!

Joshua and Amy are expecting their second child, and money is tight. Any amount will be greatly appreciated.

Please help! I want my son to be able to see his children, continue to enjoy his career, and to live as normal a life as possible. We will be forever grateful for each and every donation.  Adding your email to your donation will allow us to keep you updated as events unfold. Please, please, remember every little bit helps.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  
Anita Hershman, Joshua's mom