
I am BLIND and would like to SEE
Donation protected
My name is Mandy, When I was a freshman in college I became ill. I was hospitalized for a week with what was described as an unspecified viral infection. This infection left me an insulan dependant diabetic and damaged my eyes, kidneys, and destroyed my pancreas. No one knew about the damage to my eyes or kidneys for over eight years. By the time the dameage showed up in my eyes I was in trouble. I had to find a retinal surgeon and have my retinas re-attached several times. The treatments in my right eye kept failing, they finally used a silicon gel to hold the retina inplace and unfortunately I was allergic to the silicone. After having emergency surgery to remove the silicone, the damage to the retina in my right eye was irreversable and left me completely blind in my right eye. While recovering from surgery, I was informed by my employer that because I could no longer perform the duties of my job i was forced to retire for medical reasons. I was left blind in one eye, partially blind in the other, unemployed, and sick. Six years later my left eye had stabilized so that I was able to drive during the day only, and do pretty much everything. I again became ill, and was told that I was in stage five kidney failure. I immeadiately went onto dialysis and need a kidney transplant. I was on dialysis for 6 months when i was given a second chance at life. Since then I have had more infections and illnesses. I have had MRSA 6 times and lost a toe due to the MRSA. I had Septicemia twice all while functioning with one eye. One morning, I woke up and everything was black. I was rushed to the emergency room, where a CT Scan showed no reasoning for the blindness. The ER sent me to an emergency Opthamologist, who speculated on the diagnosis but did not know for sure. By this time I had a small field of vision that looked like I was looking under water. They sent me to my retinal surgeons, who had no explination either. Between March and May I saw specialists from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, all the while struggling to adjust to being blind. I was finally told I had Optic Neuritis. By now there is nothing they could do, for the treatment window was missed, and now I have to wait for my site to possibly come back. I now depend on others to help me do everyday tasks from cooking and shopping to using my phone. The hardest thing for me is not being able to drive or pick up a book to read. I have found a special device that would help me become more independant and allow me to read again. Unfortunately all of my illnesses and expensive medications that I need to survive make us live paycheck to paycheck. The device is not covered by health insurance. After taxes and fees the device will cost around $3500. This device is similar to google glasses but is geared toward the vision impaird community. If you decide to donate you will have my appriciation for life. Believe me never take your sight for granted and always protect your eyes. With this device I will beable to return to school where I will be studying for my masters of education with deaf concentration focusing on American Sign Language Here is a link to the device that will give me new
freedoms. www.cybertimez.com Thank You for your time.......Mandy
freedoms. www.cybertimez.com Thank You for your time.......Mandy
Organizer
Mandy Koenigsberg
Organizer
Ebensburg, PA