Asiah's Journey Back to Sight from Diabetic Retinopathy.

UPDATE*** We've reached our original goal of $5000! We're grateful for the overwhelming support from our family and friends who pitched in. However, Asiah still has a long road ahead to rebuild. Please remember that all donations directly cover hospital and living expenses during her healing journey and work hiatus. Please read her story below.

Thank you sincerely for your contributions. We love and appreciate each and every one of you.

Hi I'm Nikki Devlin or as my loved ones call me Mama D. I've set this gofundme page on behalf of my daughter Asiah's ongoing battle with Type 1 diabetes and now Retinopathy.

On February 1st, 2024, Asiah woke up to heavily distorted vision and blurriness in both eyes. She seen multiple specialist in Atlanta, and due to not being able to have the immediate care that was needed she was rushed back home to Michigan for emergency testing with a retina specialist, where she was diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy - (it affects blood vessels in the retina, an eye condition that can cause vision loss and permanent blindness.

Asiah was then informed that she will have to undergo a laser procedure in both eyes to immediately stop the bleeding that was formed from the bad blood vessels. After a few weeks, we received more devastating news. We learned that the damage to her eyes was so severe that she had to undergo 2 additional corrective surgeries to have both retinas repaired and reattached properly. Her left eye surgery was done on March 29th and her right eye surgery was done on April 26th.

Surgeries have been successful thanks to Dr. Bever with The Retinal Specialist of W.M. but we are unclear whether or not she will regain full vision back. She currently has very low vision with hyper sensitivity to bright lights.

Her lack of vision has taken away her ability to legally drive, read fine print and write on her own. While living in Atlanta she was pursuing her acting career but has sense then had to put her dreams on hold. She has been so strong throughout her recovery process while being surrounded by loved ones as she's tried to keep life as normal as possible.

I am currently working within the hospital system, often putting in 16-hour workdays, sometimes without a day of rest, to do what I can to make up for what she has lost during this time. Unfortunately, I am only one person. Her condition has been extremely unpredictable and is changing rapidly.

This has taken a big toll on both of us. Asiah has conquered Type 1 Diabetes for 21 years now! During the first two decades nearly every patient with T1D suffered from Diabetic Retinopathy.

We graciously accept any donations received for her day to day living expenses, her medical bills, her home in Atlanta in which she is still funding, her monthly misc. bills and the fees we have received from the low vision clinic.

Asiah is a strong-willed spirit and a bright light for so many in her life. She has always stood on her own two feet and gone out of her way for others. She doesn't like to ask for anything from anyone but we humbly ask for your support through one of the toughest times in her young life. Anything you can pitch in is greatly appreciated.

If you would also like to help me lift her spirits, Kindly record a video or send us a voice message to [email redacted]. All support during this time is welcome as she battles to gain her vision back.

We are hopeful that Asiah will be able to retain some of her old life and bounce back and rebuild her life as soon as she possibly can.

With Love,

Mama D'