<div><strong>Eight years ago, a pair of scissors changed Branson's life forever. Today, after years of waiting and advances in medical technology, he finally has the opportunity to undergo surgeries that could restore vision in his injured eye.</strong>
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<div>Eight years ago, our family experienced a moment that changed Branson’s life.
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<div>Branson suffered a traumatic eye injury involving a pair of scissors. In the years since, he has lived with the lasting effects of that accident. His vision was severely damaged, his natural lens was lost, part of his iris was torn, and scarring developed across his cornea. He has also lived with extreme light sensitivity that makes everyday environments difficult.
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<div>Despite all of this, Branson has continued to be active and determined. He loves sports, music, and spending time with friends. Most people would never know the challenges he quietly manages every day.
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<div>After years of waiting and careful monitoring, doctors now believe there is a path forward to restore significant vision in his injured eye. This path to restored vision requires three separate surgeries.
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<div><strong>Surgery 1 (completed in April 2026): Vitrectomy</strong>
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<div>Branson previously experienced a partially detached retina that required repair in February 2026. In this surgery, doctors removed the vitreous gel inside the eye. Removing this gel helps reduce traction and prevents further stress or damage to the retina, helping protect the repair and prepare the eye for the next stages of surgery.
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<div><strong>Surgery 2 (Scheduled for August 2026): Intraocular Lens and Custom Silicone Iris Implant</strong>
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<div>Because Branson lost his natural lens in the accident, he currently has no lens in that eye. In this surgery, doctors will implant a new intraocular lens. They will also place a custom silicone iris that has been specially printed in Germany to match his other eye. This will restore the iris that was partially torn in the injury and should dramatically reduce the severe light sensitivity he has lived with for years.
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<div><strong>Surgery 3 (October 2026): Full Corneal Transplant</strong>
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<div>The final surgery will replace his scarred cornea with a donor cornea. Right now, scarring covers the area across his pupil and blocks clear vision. A transplant offers the possibility of removing that scar tissue and allowing light to pass through the eye properly again.
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<div>Each surgery requires recovery time and careful monitoring. While we are deeply grateful for the skilled surgeons and the medical advances that make this possible, the cost of these procedures and the care surrounding them with missed work is significant.
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<div>We've received updated estimates. The surgery center, specialty intraocular lens, and artificial iris are all being classified by insurance as "out of network" and (unbelievably) "not medically necessary." Considering Branson lost part of his iris and lost his lens in a traumatic childhood injury and is legally blind in that eye, that designation has been difficult to understand.
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<div>At this point, our estimated out-of-pocket costs for the two remaining surgeries are expected to be between 25,000 and 30,000, with the artificial iris alone costing approximately $10,000.
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<div>Several people have asked if there is a way to help, so after a lot of prayer (and swallowing our pride a bit), we've decided to set up a GoFundMe.
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<div>Truthfully, asking for help is uncomfortable. We'd much rather be the people bringing meals, organizing fundraisers, and showing up for someone else. But these surgeries represent a life-changing opportunity for Branson, and the costs are simply more than we can absorb on our own.
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<div>We are stepping forward in faith and trusting God through this process. Deuteronomy 31:8 reminds us, <em>“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you.”</em>
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<div><strong><em>This fundraiser will go directly toward Branson’s surgical and medical expenses and subsidizing income lost as we walk through these next months of treatment and recovery.</em></strong>
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<div>If you feel led to give, we are deeply grateful. If giving is not possible, we would truly appreciate your prayers for Branson, his surgical team, and a successful restoration of his vision.
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<div>Thank you for standing with our family.
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Shaunta Browder

Alexia Andrade

Anonymous

Donna Murphy

Katie Laubender

Rhonda Sykes

Molly Creech

John Wilson

Glenda Hollingsworth

Jill Patterson

David Reich

Eight Years Later: A Chance to Restore Branson's Vision

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