My Story
When I was two years old I was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive kind of cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma. The doctors at Children's Medical Center of Dallas weren't sure how to treat it, so they hit me with everything they had. I took chemo as well as radiation therapy, but the radiation caused facial disfigurement as I grew, and I slowly lost vision and in my left eye. After it stopped producing tears, the eyeball was removed and I began wearing a prosthetic, but the surgery caused my socket to sink back into my skull.I underwent multiple reconstructive surgeries until I was 18 to correct my jaw line and to fill out my cheek, but it seemed that nobody had any interest in addressing the issue of my eye, the one thing that has always bothered me the most. At that point I lost hope and gave up. I was convinced I would never look "normal." The frustration brought me to tears.
Recently, someone planted the seed in my head to try again. I gave her the run down of all the promises doctors have made me, only to wake up in agonizing pain to find out, it didn't work. She assured me, it was possible now, so just out of curiosity, I thought I'd search for doc. I sent an email with photos to a doctor in New York, asking if he thought he might be able to help me. They reviewed and discussed, and when they called me back I was told, they had nothing but good news for me! It brought tears to my eye once more but these were tears of joy!
The Rundown
So in order for this dream to come true, I as well as one other person will need to make a trip to New York. The money that you so generously donate will be used to go toward airplane tickets, hotel, food, and transportation for two weeks. Any additional funds will go toward the bill for this surgery
The Impact
All my life, my eye has been the one thing about me that I've absolutely hated. I don't mean hate it like a teenage girl hates her hair. I mean hate it like, I wish it wasn't even a part of my face if its going to look like it does. I've finally found a doctor who can help me. Ever since I can remember, it has been the deepest desire of my heart to fix my eye. And it looks like God has finally granted me that desire. Praise be to Him!
I've made it one of many of my goals to inspire my fellow survivors to stick to they're goals and don't give up. To never let anybody or anything tell them they can't do it. To prove my point, I am a model. Society says, to be a model you have to be tall and skinny, and certainly have two eyes and a "normal" face. I have many photo shoots under my belt and many of those photos have people blown away by the image created by the photographers and I. I've had people tell me that I am very successful at my goal of being an inspiration to others. This surgery would only help me further to prove my point that no matter how impossible your goal may seem, if you stick to it, you can make it happen.
Other Ways You Can Help
Even if you can't donate money, whatever you can contribute will be just as valuable to me! If you want to help but can't donate money some things you can do are to share this page on any social media site you are a part of or if you have access to a website, post it on your site. Also, if you are in New York, some hotel, food recommendations are appreciated, or if you have access to any kind of discounts, that would help a million!
Thank you so much in advance! You have no idea how much this means to me! Be blessed!!!
