UPDATED FEBRUARY 23, 2026 – Status Update for Lee

Lee saw the Low Vision Specialist on the 16th. It was determined that prescription glasses MIGHT help some, but she will need additional devices for her to perform the computer-based work that she had been doing. The glasses will take 3 or 4 weeks in the pipeline with the Division of Blind Services.

We have not had any success in locating any low-income or sliding scale housing anywhere around. PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY LEADS YOU CAN THINK OF.

We are a few hundred dollars short of making Lee’s rent for March. PLEASE HELP!

Mike ODell

UPDATED FEBRUARY 16, 2026 – Status Update for Lee

Thank you again to all who have helped to keep Lee in her apartment through February!

At the latest follow up appointment with the cataract surgeon, Lee was told that there was nothing more they can do and that she should seek out a ‘low vision specialist’ who hopefully can provide special glasses or magnifying devices to allow Lee to get back to work.

We have already registered Lee with the Division of Blind Services (who will provide the low vision specialist) and The Lighthouse. The Lighthouse provides training on special devices like special monitors and magnifying projectors.

Lee has an appointment with the Low Vision Specialist on Wednesday, Feb.16.

As all of this unfolds, helping Lee stay in her apartment while going through this transition is the mission. Of course, the hunt is on for more affordable/ low income/ sliding scale housing to reduce her expense.

We will know more after Wednesday concerning her vision and options. For now, let’s buy her a little more time.

Thank you,

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UPDATED JANUARY 28, 2026

Status update for Lee

Thanks to all of you, we were able to keep Lee in her apartment thru Jan 31, but the month has just about passed.

Lee had her 1st cataract surgery on Jan 7. Initially she had some improved vision, but quickly she started having issues and at times couldn’t see except for amorphous shapes. She had been told that after cataract surgery, she should be able to see better right away. That hasn’t been the case.

I have gone to several follow up appointments with her. The situation is her retinas are not healthy and she is extremely nearsighted. Apparently, the doctors did not explain to her the extent of her retinal damage. The cataract surgery has made her vision brighter and maybe improved her distance vision some, but no substantial improvement overall. She was really hoping she could see the computer so she could be back at work. Of course, Lee is upset and discouraged about this revelation. She said she was led to believe that her vision should be improved with the cataract surgeries. We believed she could regain enough sight to continue her computer/ phone work after her surgery and she would be able to earn the money needed to pay her bills.

Now the priority is to find her sustainable housing until she can get back to work. She will not be able to stay where she is as the rent is $1385/mo. and her SS is only $800/mo. She would need an additional $700 +/- / month, in addition to her social security to make her bills.

She needs to find low income/ subsidized housing, a roommate situation, a group home, etc. Finding these resources has proven difficult. If anyone has any suggestions, please, I’m listening.

We have gone to the Lighthouse for the Blind and registered her with the Blind services of Florida. They have training programs that can help persons with impaired vision perform tasks that can increase their ability to find work.

THE ASK is to help with her rent for February. Allowing her to stay in her apartment for the next month will give her/us a chance to find alternative housing.

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ORIGINAL POST

My name is Mike. A couple of weeks ago, I met Lee at her apartment door. She was upset and told me she didn't know what she could do.

Her poor eyesight had, in the last few weeks, worsened to the point she could not read to perform the computer work that was her livelihood. She hadn't been able to work, and she still owed some on her rent. In a few days, she would get a notice to pay, or the eviction proceedings would begin. Lee is 76 years old.

She told me that she had been to an eye clinic for an evaluation. They then sent her to a retinal specialist who said she had severe cataracts and that with operations, she should get her vision back enough to again do the computer work she had been doing. She needs surgery on both eyes, but she plans to get back to work after one surgery until she can get financially stable again.

She, of course, had to jump through various hoops, referrals, and such, then back to her primary for a surgical release. That in hand, she is now headed to the eye clinic next week (week of 12/18/25) for final measurements and then a date for surgery. UPDATE: Lee has a surgery date for 01/07/26,

The ask is she doesn't have all the rent for December or January. She was able to pay $200 for December. She only gets $785/mo social security, and her rent is $1500/mo. She has always been able to make her bills and has lived at her current residence for several years.

We have been trying to get some rent assistance for a few weeks, but nothing has come through yet.

If we can get her past this operation, and it is successful, hopefully, she will be OK for the foreseeable future.