As a photographer, painter, and writer, I need my eyes. And for the past year, I have been fighting to save my vision. It's been a year and a half since I could see to read well, so I've lost the ability to read books, my lifelong oldest and best companion. At the same time, my hearing is very poor as well, and I'm becoming too isolated.

I have a good doctor helping. But because of the seriousness of these issues, and because Medicare and my insurance provider are playing games with me, I am financially in difficulty. The eye shots alone are around $700 a month copay. Of course, my other commitments are also falling behind. So to remain in contact with people and maintain my ability to live independently, I urgently need your help.