Back in November, the day before I had my son Kai, I suffered a cut and an ulcer in my left eye. After many trips to the ER for severe eye pain and vision problems, doctors discovered the ulcer was not healing as expected. They told me I needed to see a specialist because my situation was very serious. This kept me out of work for quite some time, and I wanted to return before Christmas but couldn't because of my eye. It was a tough time for my family.

Eventually, I found a place that accepted my insurance, and the specialist diagnosed me with Acanthamoeba keratitis—a rare parasite that entered the cut in my eye and is now threatening my vision. This condition is extremely painful, causes light sensitivity, and makes it impossible for me to drive or do everyday tasks. Even looking at my phone or TV is difficult. On top of this, my boyfriend has not been paid for months due to the partial government shutdown, making things even harder for us. I have a three-month-old son, Kai, and an eleven-year-old daughter, Sydney, whom I want to watch grow up.

The specialized eye drops I need to treat this parasite are not covered by insurance because of the rarity of my case. The treatment could last up to a year. I don't like asking for help, but I truly need these drops to save my vision and care for my family. Any support, even prayers, means the world to me. Thank you for taking your time reading about my condition, and I appreciate any help I can get. Have a blessed day! I'm adding photos to show you what can happen to my eye if not treated properly. It's gross, and I apologize in advance.