Let's Help Cornell See Better!!

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47 donors

$1,685 raised of $500

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Let's Help Cornell See Better!!

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Cornell Brent is organizing this fundraiser.

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My name is Cornell Brent and I am a 27-year-old father, husband, and former deckhand who worked offshore, risking my life to provide for my wonderful wife and two sons until a tragic incident changed my life.

For 18 years, I had worn glasses and contacts. However, I wanted to see better without these devices because I had a dangerous job that required full peripheral vision. My wife and I agreed that I would have surgery on my eyes. I was very excited for the change ahead. I visualized myself showering my family with blessings from the fruits of my surgery.

On August 12, 2014, I had Lasik surgery. The doctor told me that full 20/20 vision would kick in within a few days. I was so excited for my new life of crystal-clear sight.

However, I started noticing that as the days went by my vision was not as clear as the doctor had promised.

I returned to the doctor, who thought the problem was dry eyes. He sent me back to work and advised me to continue using steroid eye drops and artificial tears. However, the fact that I couldn't see caused my employer to place me on sick leave.

After a few weeks, the doctor told me that the problem might be DLK, or diffuse lamellar keratitis, a rare complication of refractive surgery. He referred me to a cornea specialist who recommended another surgery to remove the inflammation.

After this second surgery, my vision showed no signs of improvement. It only got worse. Months later, I was told that the DLK had returned and that I needed another surgery. At that point my stay-at-home wife had to find a job, making as little as eight dollars an hour to catch up with bills while I stayed home with my sons. My vision became so bad that I had to feel around to get to places; I even had to put my face close to the computer or phone screen to read anything.

The doctor conducted additional tests. He explained that my eyes were so hazy that he could not tell whether or not my optic nerves were damaged.

Before I walked out, I asked the doctor if he had ruined my eyes.

He said no.

As time passed, my vision cleared a little, just enough that I could walk without having to feel around. I went back to the cornea specialist. My corneas, which had been hazy, were clear enough for him to see what was causing the problem with my vision. He revealed that I had a huge amount of epithelial ingrowth under the flap that had been made during surgery. This ingrowth was robbing me of my ability to see. However, he refused to address the situation because he was afraid of complications. I asked him to send me back to work and he did.

When I returned to work, I noticed that my vision was so bad that I could not perform my duties. I didn't want to let my family down and I tried pushing through, but a voice came to me and said, “It’s time to go home. You’ve shown your courage and willingness to sacrifice your life with your poor vision just to provide for your family.”

So I went home. I made plans to see another cornea specialist, but she, too, refused to do anything. I burst into tears and told her that I was at risk of losing my job, but not even tears could sway her.

Days later I got a phone call from my employer. I was forced to resign; they had done all they could to hold onto me.

As I got off the phone, I paced around the living room with my hands in my pockets, shedding tears. My kids ran around and played without any clue of my sadness.

After being offshore for six years of dedication, I had to give it all up. It hurt me so deeply.

I did more research on my epithelial ingrowth and found that if it wasn't removed, it could cause further complications. I asked myself, “Why is it that these two cornea doctors whom I went to refuse to address the epithelial ingrowth when they knew that if they didn’t, I could be facing further complications?” I came to the conclusion that they had never dealt with a case like mine and were afraid to give it a try. I also realized that they must have thought that I was just going to settle with their opinions and not conduct research myself. Thank God they were wrong!

One night I was watching YouTube videos of doctors. Before my eyes shut from exhaustion, I noticed one doctor in particular. I felt a voice tell me, "This is who you must go see." I searched for him and learned that his office was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which is more than 17 hours away from me. I told God that I was crazy to want to see a doctor that far away and I left the situation alone. However, every night I kept feeling my spirit telling me to see him.

I spoke with the woman who handles his schedule. When I explained to her that I was willing to travel more than 17 hours from Mississippi to see the doctor, I thought that she’d call me crazy, too. Instead she said that he was worth the travel.

Every night I tried to come up with a way to raise the money. If only I could work, but my condition is too bad to do so. Finally a friend told me to try Go Fund Me, so here I am now, asking you to please help. If I do not address the epithelial ingrowth in my eyes, it could melt the flap that was created during my first surgery and cause more serious complications. If it can be removed, I will see better, avoid further complications, and finally be able to work again.

I've had to put my pride aside to tell this story. If I have to travel far away to save my vision so that I can see my wife, kids, and the world clearly again, I am willing to take that chance. I am a firm believer in God and I know that this is the move he wants me to make. We do not have the money for travel expenses; nor do we have it for future surgery should the doctor plan to do anything. We also do not have money to pay the bills in which we are currently behind. Any amount would be greatly appreciated.

I will make sure that I document the whole trip and my progression to keep my supporters notified and to show how much their help will benefit me and my family. This may be the most devastating thing that I have ever been through, but I’ve learned from this situation to appreciate life and enjoy my family more, with extreme passion and unconditional love as I catch up on all the time I missed with them when I worked many days and miles away. I want to live normal and happy again. I want to drive without fear again and take my family many places. I want to work again and provide for my family. I want to make my wife smile. I want to be without worries that the lights will be shut off, that the car will get repossessed, that we won't have anything to eat or drink. Most importantly, I want to be a man again. I am tired of being sleepless every night, trying to brainstorm how to pay our bills while my wife goes to sleep alone. I stare at my family throughout the night as they are asleep, telling myself that I will fight to give them the world, even if I have to go beyond my measures to get well for them. Please help us.

Whoever helps us, please inform me by contacting me on my GoFundMe page. I want to be sure that I show thanks to those who bless me and my family. Also, I will keep you all posted with photos and videos that show how the help given us has changed our lives.

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Gulfport, MS

September 21st, 2015
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