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Hello & thank you for reading my story.
My name is Meghann Nelsen (MegN)
I am a legally blind artist with passion in my heart & a paintbrush in my hand.
At birth, it was discovered I had congenital cataracts in both eyes, sharing the condition my brother had been born with 2 years prior. At only one week old, I underwent surgery to remove both clouded lenses. Despite some minimal complications during surgery, which still affect the vision in my right eye, my parents made sure I had the best possible care & opportunity to see. My case has been closely followed & written about in medical journals.
As a child, I was always drawing & actively observing the world around me. Throughout my life, I refuse to let any visual impairments hinder my love for art & creativity. Inspired by almost every surrounding, I love to paint realistic classic cars, pin-ups & other “flashback art”. I am often commissioned to paint portraits of loved ones & pets. Many of those who own my portraits tell me they bring incredible peace & comfort.
MegN FB ALBUMS
I have worn soft contacts, hard contacts & RGP contacts since surgery in 1983, which enabled me to have a normal & active life!
After 30 years, my eyes have become intolerant of all contact lenses. I am also being monitored for glaucoma & keep my intraocular pressure under control with daily eye drops. My only option this past year is to wear coke bottle, Mrs. Meg-oo, magnifying cataract glasses.
To this day, my "aphakic" condition has left me legally blind even with my corrective glasses. I have no peripheral vision with my glasses, my visual field is incredibly limited & tunneled. I am unable to drive, ride a bike, go swimming & do other daily tasks most take for granted.
Despite my limited vision, & some think socially unacceptable appearance with my glasses, I work with the community everyday alongside my husband in our humble screen printing & graphics shop, Artwistic Creations. High school sweethearts, who met in art & music class, Fred & I combined our shared passion for art & creativity into a surviving small business. We create custom graphics & imprinted t-shirts from concept to finished product & utilize our showroom to display & sell my paintings. This April we will celebrate 8 years of quality, service & imagination!
In April, I also hope to celebrate waking up & being able to see clearly for the first time in my life... at least out of one eye for starts!
I recently found a very knowledgible doctor who has evaluated my complicated eye condition & is confident he can perform the unique procedures. Medical technology at the time of my initial eye surgeries was less advanced, leaving the anatomy of my eyes as one more challenge today. Without getting into any gory details of this next surgery on April 29th, the plan is to secure a special, artificial, intraocular lens implant, as well as perform a pupilloplasty. I will most definitely need plenty of recovery time.
If all goes well with my right eye, I can schedule surgery for my left eye. Once my eyes are completely healed, Fred & I would like to start a family. Since my condition is congenital, there is a 50/50 chance our children will be born with cataracts.
With large out of pocket expenses, loss of income during recovery, & unforseen complications, I am asking for donations to assist on my long journey.
EYE would like to thank each of you with a token of my appreciation. "Because EYE Care" buttons designed & hand-made by yours truly! Please include your mailing address so I can send you your button.
I am also currently establishing a charity / non-profit organization which will benefit children & adults with congenital eye conditions.
My name is Meghann Nelsen (MegN)
I am a legally blind artist with passion in my heart & a paintbrush in my hand.
At birth, it was discovered I had congenital cataracts in both eyes, sharing the condition my brother had been born with 2 years prior. At only one week old, I underwent surgery to remove both clouded lenses. Despite some minimal complications during surgery, which still affect the vision in my right eye, my parents made sure I had the best possible care & opportunity to see. My case has been closely followed & written about in medical journals.
As a child, I was always drawing & actively observing the world around me. Throughout my life, I refuse to let any visual impairments hinder my love for art & creativity. Inspired by almost every surrounding, I love to paint realistic classic cars, pin-ups & other “flashback art”. I am often commissioned to paint portraits of loved ones & pets. Many of those who own my portraits tell me they bring incredible peace & comfort.
MegN FB ALBUMS I have worn soft contacts, hard contacts & RGP contacts since surgery in 1983, which enabled me to have a normal & active life!
After 30 years, my eyes have become intolerant of all contact lenses. I am also being monitored for glaucoma & keep my intraocular pressure under control with daily eye drops. My only option this past year is to wear coke bottle, Mrs. Meg-oo, magnifying cataract glasses.
To this day, my "aphakic" condition has left me legally blind even with my corrective glasses. I have no peripheral vision with my glasses, my visual field is incredibly limited & tunneled. I am unable to drive, ride a bike, go swimming & do other daily tasks most take for granted.
Despite my limited vision, & some think socially unacceptable appearance with my glasses, I work with the community everyday alongside my husband in our humble screen printing & graphics shop, Artwistic Creations. High school sweethearts, who met in art & music class, Fred & I combined our shared passion for art & creativity into a surviving small business. We create custom graphics & imprinted t-shirts from concept to finished product & utilize our showroom to display & sell my paintings. This April we will celebrate 8 years of quality, service & imagination!
In April, I also hope to celebrate waking up & being able to see clearly for the first time in my life... at least out of one eye for starts!
I recently found a very knowledgible doctor who has evaluated my complicated eye condition & is confident he can perform the unique procedures. Medical technology at the time of my initial eye surgeries was less advanced, leaving the anatomy of my eyes as one more challenge today. Without getting into any gory details of this next surgery on April 29th, the plan is to secure a special, artificial, intraocular lens implant, as well as perform a pupilloplasty. I will most definitely need plenty of recovery time.
If all goes well with my right eye, I can schedule surgery for my left eye. Once my eyes are completely healed, Fred & I would like to start a family. Since my condition is congenital, there is a 50/50 chance our children will be born with cataracts.
With large out of pocket expenses, loss of income during recovery, & unforseen complications, I am asking for donations to assist on my long journey.
EYE would like to thank each of you with a token of my appreciation. "Because EYE Care" buttons designed & hand-made by yours truly! Please include your mailing address so I can send you your button.
I am also currently establishing a charity / non-profit organization which will benefit children & adults with congenital eye conditions.