I have a retinal disease called Stargardt's. It effects children and causes them to loose all but their peripheral vision. I struggle to see every day. The degeneration began in third grade but we had no idea I could have something like this! I had two doctors tell me I was faking. Finally one sent me to the University of Houston to their regular eye clinic, this was at the begining of eigth grade. Me and my dad went there but it was just a regular eye exam and they were confused because they could not correct my vision at all and by this time it was already 20/100. So they sent me to their opthomologist. There they did many tests. One of which to check my brain to see if I had a cone rod dytrophy. This test was very painful they put huge contacts in my eyes and i could not blink for five minutes! After they concluded I did not have a cone rod dystrophy and diagnosed me with Stargardt's. I litterally smiled I was happy they were not gonna call me a liar or try to make me wear glasses that woudn't work they were going to help me! Of course there is no cure and glasess have no effect on my vision but now i know whats wrong and can get visual aids. The doctor who diagnosed me finnally said this exactly "I must apologize for my proffesion, they never should say a child is faking, they should always suggest further care." He is the best doctor ever:) That visit was in September 2011, when my vision was 20/100 now in April 2012 it is already 20/200. I will probably never be able to drive, and only 1 in 50,000 get Stargardt's, and my kids will have it for sure. But I know i could be suffering bigger battles than this and God gave this to me because he knows I can handle it and use it to help others.
~Abbey~
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