Donation protected
A year ago this week I was admitted to hospital with swollen optic discs at the back of my eyes. I lost most of my sight over the space of 24 hours and was diagnosed with a rare auto immune condition which meant my body was attacking the optic nerve. To cut a long story short…. thankfully, because of answered prayer, high doses of steroids and the amazing staff in the NHS, the inflammation reduced and my vision returned.
At the time it was terrifying. As many of you know I’m an Optometrist myself and in a way that made it worse because I already knew the worst case scenarios from the start. One
thing I remember doing while I was in hospital, when there was a possibility my vision loss would be permanent and complete, was trying to learn the words to The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle so I could still ‘read’ my boys ( then 3 months and 2) a bedtime story when I got home. As I say, thankfully that wasn’t needed!
There is a chance that the condition will return again, either
with my eyes or attacking my spine but it is small and reduces further the more time passes. So to celebrate this milestone of 1 year, I am doing a sponsored book read where I will attempt to read 365 children's books to my children( or to myself if they aren’t listening! ) over the course of a week beginning on Monday 26th September. One for every day I’ve had my vision back and been able to read them a bedtime story.
The money raised is going to a fund to help my childhood friend Melanie who suffers with a severe form of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and is in desperate need of lifesaving spinal surgery in Barcelona which she can’t get on the NHS. You can read more information about her story below on her Go fund me page
Organizer
Deborah Hodgson
Organizer
England