Act of Kindness Leads to Blindness

LINK: KSL News Report: Clara's Story

On Thursday, November 14, our 10-year old granddaughter Clara was assaulted while playing with two of her friends. In our daughter's words:

"Thursday after school, Clara was playing outside with two of her very best friends when they encountered a stray kitten. If you know Clara, you know that animals are life...especially kittens. They got a can of tuna to feed the kitten. As the kitten finished eating, and the children were leaving to continue playing, another individual picked up the lid and threw it at Clara's face."

Now, about that "individual"... An adolescent boy who is not part of my granddaughter's friend group. An 8th grader who said, "That's what you get for trying to kick me!" A middle-schooler who begged another fifth grader not to tell anyone because he could have charges made against him. A teen who showed no remorse in the moment, and neither he nor his family have reached out with an apology or an offer to help in any fashion.

Clara was rushed to the ER. The tuna can lid cut through Clara's eyelid, severing her cornea and iris in half from top to bottom. Because of the severity of her injuries, she was sent to a larger hospital with a specialist and more sophisticated equipment.

At this time, Clara is blind in her left eye and will remain so for months, if not for always. She will need additional eye surgeries, including a corneal transplant. Her vision will be permanently impaired.

Our daughter, a single mother who teaches elementary school, receives no support (financial, nor emotional) from Clara's father, her ex-husband. Please help her bear the financial burden as she attempts to restore the vision of her only child.

Breakdown of Expenses

Clara has health insurance. It has a high deductible and a high co-insurance percentage. The following amounts are researched conservative estimates and will be adjusted as costs solidify and bills arrive. They represent what Brittaney will owe and total cost.

Emergency Rooms $10K / $15K

Initial Surgery/Hospital $5K / $25K

Prescriptions $400-$800

Follow-up Appointments

Corneal and Lens Transplant $15K / $28K