My mom India Artis has Keratoconus. Keratoconus is a degenerative eye disease, in which the normally round spherical shape of the cornea bulges uncontrollably into a cone shape. This results in visual impairment, causing severe distortion, double and triple vision. My mom has
been  deemed legally blind. Sunlight can stimulate the
progression of the Keratoconus, night vision is extremely affected with glare and halos around lighting.      

   After extensive research, we learned of Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler in California.  Dr. Brian specializes in treating Keratoconus. Dr. Brian can restore my moms vision, and can also bring the progression of keratoconus to a halt. There are procedures that can save my mom from having a cornea transplant. After Dr. Brian reviewed my moms records from the previous six doctors, Dr. Brian says she's a great candidate for the Holocomb C3-R cross-linking system which helps halt the progression of Keratoconus, the Intacs(permanent contact lenses) which shapes and reduce the steepness of the cone shape, and the CK procedure which reduces astigmatism. The Holcomb C3-R cross-linking system, and the CK treatment can affectively reduce astigmatism for a period of several years. These procedures combined will stop the progression, and restore my moms vision.
     
    My mom has worked In the health care field for several years, and serves as a union delegate for a prominent Union. Due to life's challenges, my moms education in pursuit of a nursing degree may take a back seat. I support my moms recent attempt to return to school. Recently I watched my mom pack up her backpack equipped with her pinhole glasses, full page magnifying glass, recorder and her books. I was so proud of her for pushing through. There will be days of frustration, and maybe even discouragement. I say not on my watch.   

  I love my mom unconditionally, through the days filled with laughter, joy, and girly fun, to the days where she struggles to start her day. My mom and i are very close and protective of one another. Since my mom has been living with Keratoconus our rhythm definitely syncs just a little differently. There have been many adversities during the past two years for my mom. Some medically related and some of which only GOD and i know of. I believe they've all been opportunities to learn from and for us to  grow even closer. Lately I've been exploring my artistic side with makeup. It weakens my heart to know my mom can not make out the details of my face and makeup, unless she's within inches of my face. When my mom is finally able to see my face clearly again through both eyes, i hope she doesn't think the makeup is all too much. In life we often ask for what we need, but rarely accept what we were given. I hurt for my mom at times, but I sure look forward to being on board the journey to a brighter and better vision for India. Keratoconus is not the be-all and end-all for India Artis. There are dark days for my mom but those are also the days we pray even harder. I thank you all for your prayers and contributions towards my moms Gift of Sight. I'll keep you posted through out the journey. Love is love.

                                                                                          Tori.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKnTRB0v3Ck&feature=youtu.be