Restoring Victoria's Sight: Retinal Detachment

May 2025 Update

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Victoria has asked me to express her deep gratitude for your prayers, encouragement, and generous support during these challenging times. It truly means the world to her. It has made a significant difference!

We’re nearing two years since Victoria first experienced severe vision loss due to retinal detachment, and though it’s been a long journey, she’s now starting to see light at the end of the tunnel. After five surgeries, with no more planned, she maintains some light perception only in her damaged eye. Her left eye is near 20/30. However, her focus is now on stabilizing her finances.

Since April 14th, Victoria started a new job with better income potential, and though it will take time to see the full benefits, it’s a crucial step forward. The company has also hired a visually impaired assistant, as well as her son, to assist with in-home solar energy consultations—a blessing she’s incredibly grateful for.

Despite this progress, the financial burdens remain heavy. Victoria had to let go of the overwhelming medical bills from the surgeries, and with no help to negotiate health insurance's insurmountable fees, this has led to severe credit damage and put her home at risk of foreclosure.

She also faced heartbreak when two potential renters for her home fell through, each time bringing renewed hope only to be dashed. But she remains strong in her faith and continues moving forward.

In the next six weeks, Victoria is pushing herself hard; relying on her base salary, additional dog boarding gigs, a second garage sale, and possibly God's provision for someone to rent out a room to make up for the two mortgage payments she’s fallen behind on. With a deficit of $3,640, any prayers for financial success or support during this time could help keep her home from foreclosure and stabilize her future.

Victoria humbly asks for your continued prayers and thanksgiving for the opportunities ahead. If you feel moved, sharing this message would be deeply appreciated.

Her home has been a place of comfort for her, her son, and their 15-year-old dog, Jake. As her 57th birthday approaches, she is trusting that she’s on the path to brighter days.

With deepest gratitude,

Carin

Dear Friends,

We are rallying together to support our dear friend Victoria on her journey to regain her sight. Here is her story:

Summer 2023

June 18th, 2023, marked a fateful day for Victoria when she suddenly lost vision in her right eye. This unexpected turn of events led to a diagnosis of a detached retina, plunging her into a whirlwind of medical procedures and uncertainty. Despite her resilience, the road to recovery has been filled with challenges.

Spring 2024

Following three surgeries to reattach the retina and stabilize her condition, Victoria now faces the daunting task of addressing a significant cataract in her right eye. This has drastically impaired her vision, turning simple tasks into formidable obstacles. However, Victoria's determination remains unwavering as she prepares for her upcoming fourth surgery in October 2024 to remove the cataract.

Call for Support

We, Victoria's friends and family, are reaching out to you for assistance. The financial strain of her medical treatments has been immense, and we humbly ask for your support in alleviating this burden. Victoria's unpaid medical bills exceed $15,009, and her financial responsibility for recent surgeries surpasses her means, despite her best efforts.

Victoria's continuous advocacy has resulted in some reduction of her medical bills, but she still faces significant challenges. Your generosity will not only help cover her current expenses but also ensure she can undergo the necessary cataract surgery to improve her vision and quality of life.

Hope for the Future

With your contributions, Victoria can look forward to regaining her independence and pursuing her passions once again. Beyond restoring her vision, she dreams of returning to activities like cycling and driving at night, as well as resuming her meaningful work of training individuals with vision impairment. Driving beyond basic routes is not possible for her now.

Every donation, no matter the size, brings Victoria one step closer to seeing the world clearly again. Your support, whether through financial assistance, sharing her story, or offering words of encouragement, is deeply appreciated.

Thank you for standing by Victoria during this challenging time and helping to brighten her path toward recovery.

In Victoria's words:

To date, I have helped over 65 visually impaired individuals gain skills, return to work and learn technology, as a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist in Volusia, Putnam, Flagler and Brevard counties of Florida.

One individual who left an indelible mark on my heart was Anthony Owens, pictured above. Anthony, cherished by all who knew him, left us too soon, but his legacy lives on through the lives he touched. Like myself, Anthony faced the sudden loss of vision in midlife. Despite the challenges of complete vision loss, he exemplified resilience and determination. With my guidance and the support of our dedicated team at the Conklin Davis Center for the Visually Impaired, Anthony achieved remarkable feats. Through our program, he earned a certification from the American Hotel and Lodging Association and secured a work experience placement at SMA Healthcare in Daytona Beach, his top-choice organization. Despite being fully blind, Anthony skillfully managed Outlook calendars and served as a capable Front Desk receptionist. His success led to permanent employment at the Conklin Davis Center, where he continued to inspire others.

In honor of individuals like Anthony and countless others, I am committed to giving back to our visually impaired community by pursuing my dream of developing job opportunities tailored to their strengths. I believe in partnering with companies eager to embrace diversity and inclusivity, recognizing the value that individuals with disabilities bring to the workforce. Moreover, I aim to collaborate with organizations with government contracts, as they have minimum employment quotas for this demographic.

If you share my passion for empowering individuals with disabilities and creating inclusive workplaces, I invite you to connect with me on LinkedIn. Your support and involvement can make a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve.

From the depths of my heart, I extend my sincerest gratitude for your kindness, generosity, and unwavering support during these challenging times.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Victoria Christenson

https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-christenson/