My Little Eye
Donation protected
My name is Carolyn Riddell. As an active art producer based in Guelph, I have been exhibiting locally, across Canada and overseas since 1989.
In late May of this year, while setting up signage for a charity event, I had an accident involving a metal rod piercing my right nasal passage, affecting my sinuses, the muscles around my right eye, as well as the right eye itself.
Immediate treatment at emergency services in Guelph, fortunately, revealed no brain damage but that I would need time to heal my sinuses and facial muscles as well as be monitored for infection.
This happened on a Friday, however that pending weekend and by Monday morning, I knew something was wrong with my right eye.
My optometrist confirmed that I had suffered a trauma cataract.
Prognosis was to take several weeks off to let the muscles around my eye heal, then be reassessed in late August.
In August, while hoping for news of healing, the cataract had advanced significantly, limiting my ability to work and function with usual vital lifestyle.
I do not have the luxury of wait times through the public system.
April 30, 2020 is the earliest I can be seen for the initial consultation by a local surgeon and by then the cataract will have blocked all right eye functionality.
I have to move forward with the TLC clinic in Waterloo and fund my expenses for a new lens, diagnostics and medicines.
Further financial strain results from the fact that I am a self employed artist. I run a successful picture framing business inside my studio as well.
My studio costs are high. I have worked sporadically since early September, however not enough (nor had support enough) to cover my basic costs nor draw a meager salary to offset mounting costs since June of this year.
I have a surgery booked for November 6th, 2019. It is my goal to reopen my studio as best as possible by November 15th.
Funding will help me get back to my active pace as an art maker, framer and facilitator of workshops and other art related events.
In late May of this year, while setting up signage for a charity event, I had an accident involving a metal rod piercing my right nasal passage, affecting my sinuses, the muscles around my right eye, as well as the right eye itself.
Immediate treatment at emergency services in Guelph, fortunately, revealed no brain damage but that I would need time to heal my sinuses and facial muscles as well as be monitored for infection.
This happened on a Friday, however that pending weekend and by Monday morning, I knew something was wrong with my right eye.
My optometrist confirmed that I had suffered a trauma cataract.
Prognosis was to take several weeks off to let the muscles around my eye heal, then be reassessed in late August.
In August, while hoping for news of healing, the cataract had advanced significantly, limiting my ability to work and function with usual vital lifestyle.
I do not have the luxury of wait times through the public system.
April 30, 2020 is the earliest I can be seen for the initial consultation by a local surgeon and by then the cataract will have blocked all right eye functionality.
I have to move forward with the TLC clinic in Waterloo and fund my expenses for a new lens, diagnostics and medicines.
Further financial strain results from the fact that I am a self employed artist. I run a successful picture framing business inside my studio as well.
My studio costs are high. I have worked sporadically since early September, however not enough (nor had support enough) to cover my basic costs nor draw a meager salary to offset mounting costs since June of this year.
I have a surgery booked for November 6th, 2019. It is my goal to reopen my studio as best as possible by November 15th.
Funding will help me get back to my active pace as an art maker, framer and facilitator of workshops and other art related events.
Organizer
Carolyn Riddell
Organizer
Guelph, ON