Glasses for Courtney

"Legally blind?" My heart sank. “I'm only 21 years old?” I protested as if that mattered, but the doctor continued, “Stargardt Disease is an inherited disorder of the retina...” He attempted to explain, in layman terms, a disease I had never heard of previously.  As he proceeded, my mind wandered to my 3-month-old daughter sitting sweetly in her carrying seat. I tried desperately to focus on her angelic curls and suddenly the dark spots became more pronounced than ever before. I couldn't imagine how I was going to manage without my eyesight. The words “blind” and “rapid vision loss” hung over my head like a dark cloud. I knew there was a problem, a problem I had hoped would be fixed with the right pair of glasses, but blindness seemed like a death sentence.
Since that day seven years and three more children, I conceded to the complicated life of dependency. The disease has made it impossible for me to drive, read small print, and even clearly see the faces of my children. Each day I tell myself that walking a mile to and from my children's school is a blessing. Although, it is just enough time to give the twins a little lunch and turn back around for another two-mile roundtrip.
This is the story of our niece, Courtney, a 28-year-old wife and mother of four children. She never complains nor requests anything for herself. Recently, however, we have received exciting news. There have been advancements in the optometry field. Special bioptic lenses, for the blind, have been created that will give Courtney the ability to drive and see more clearly. However, the cost, of $5,500, is more than she can afford. We, the family, have started a GoFundMe account to help Courtney and her husband with the burden of this sizable expense. Would you please consider contributing to help Courtney purchase these glasses and enable her to receive her sight? We are grateful for any contribution great or small.