BECKY'S STORY

Progressively through the years my vision was decreasing. I was not able to read or see pencil on a piece of paper; it got to the point where I used a marker to write just so I could see. I learned to use the white cane to walk but then I started becoming really nervous and uncomfortable leaving the house without it.

My eyesight before the procedure was as if a piece of mesh was placed over my eyes. I got to the point where if somebody was across the room and waived to me I wouldn't even see them. That's what I had to deal with everyday.

Part of my responsibilities at the hospital as a switchboard operator was to answer emergency phone calls. My vision was getting to the point where I wasn't able to see the form on the computer. I made the decision to step away from the job to ensure I wouldn't mess things up or injure anybody else.

I was at the point in my life where I was just going to accept the fact that I was either going to have this fog in front of my eyes, or I was going to go completely blind. The first visit with Dr. Masket was kind of nerve-wracking because I thought he was going to say, "Okay, well we thought we could help but no." It wasn't like that; it was just the opposite. Everybody was so confident and reassuring.

I had written a letter and sent it over to The Foundation. Not too long, I heard back that I was accepted to receive help from them. I was only expecting a little but they helped a lot. It was amazing. If The Foundation wouldn't have helped me I don't know if I would have been able to do it. 

The first time I woke up after my surgery it was crazy; I started to cry. I could see the five people that were staring back at me waiting for my reaction; it was like a miracle that I could see. After the surgery, when I went home, I went into the kitchen to open a cupboard and realized that the knobs on the cupboard were not only white but they had flowers on them. I had always thought that the knobs were just white; it's like having new knobs on your cupboards! 

Two years ago I decided to quit my job because of my eyes; my confidence was so low. Now after the surgery my confidence is so much greater; I'm actually thinking about going back to work.

Thank you to The Masket Foundation for giving me my vision!