[nfb-talk] Something to think about Re: Fw: Implantedchip 'allowsblindpeopleto detectobjects'

[Marsha Drenth]

I have been following this thread for a while now. I don't know about this
device to say if it should be used or not, nor will I say that anyone of you
is right or wrong. But I want everyone to read my story, it will just give
you something to think about. 

I grew up most of my life visually impaired. I learned Braille and had to
use a cane. In 1999, I lost all of my vision. Completely, no light, no
shadows, nothing. It wasn't a sudden change, it was over night. So as I am
sure you can imagine, I was a bit thrown off. Yes I had the tools to live as
a blind person, using a cane, reading Braille, cleaning and so on. In early
2000, I started looking for an "fix" to which would give me back vision. In
2000, I entered in a very new medical protocol, of stem cell cornea
transplants. I was the first in the state of Texas, and with my eye disease
to have this procedure.  After I had received my transplant of both, I was
able to see 20/40. For the first time I was able to see normally. It did
take me some time to adjust. Like for example, I had never seen shadows in
the sun, or that there was so much detail to leaves on a tree, or that
people wore glasses. For the first time, I was able to read regular sized
print. I went to get my driver's license, and I drove for 4 years. After a
year and half, my first set of tissue rejected, so I had another. The second
set of tissue, rejected after only after a little over a year. So there was
my third set of tissue, and this time it only lasted one year. Through all
of this time, I was on huge amounts of anti-rejection and
immunosuppressant's. I developed high blood sugar, high blood pressure, high
cholesterol, and the list goes on. At the end, I developed a kidney
infection, that landed me in the hospital. They could not say to which sort
of infection I had, or where and how I got it. I was in renal failure. I was
given the choice to continue my meds, keep my vision, or die. I was slowly
taken off my meds, and over night, like I had gotten back my vision, my good
sight was gone.  I am sure you all know to which I chose. So here is the
kicker, at the time, I thought that having vision and being able to see, is
what made me. It was something I would risk my life to have. Yes I got to
see, but this only the shorten version to the story. It was hard too, to
adjust to seeing. I almost died to keep my vision, that is crazy to think
about. I can never have any sort of transplant, because my body would reject
it right away. So like if I ever needed a new heart or kidney or lung, nope
not going to happen. None of those doctors knew what the long term risks
were, but I am here to say, they were huge. I no longer have high blood
sugar, or high blood pressure, or anything else I had then, but I damaged
the nerves in my ears. Damaged them to the point, I am loosing my hearing.
Its that a kicker, no vision, and going deaf. I am a total now. Yes I would
not take back what I did at all. I have three children, who at the time were
small, I was able to see them. Yes being able to see was great, but in my
mind. Right now, medical technology has made a lot of advances, but not
enough. The risk is still too high. I mean if you want to risk possibly your
life, go for it. Its your right. Yes I helped, the medical community, but
long term what did it do for me? I had the same sort of procedures that,
Mike May had. And yes, he can see. So it is different in all people. What
Mike May wrote in his book, "Crashing Through" about getting back his vision
was exactly how it was for me. And if you have ever seen the movie, as hoky
as it was, "At first sight" how the man in the movie had to learn how to
see. Yes I had to learn how to see too. 

So like I said, take that risk, but know exactly what might come from it.
Know you might be able to see, but then not. Know that your life is
precious, and your taking huge risks. 

If your one of those people, that won't believe me. I was featured in the
Cincinnati newspaper, and on a local TV station there. Google my name of the
time, Marsha Lindsey. You will see, of course no one has done a story of
what has come of it. 

Just wanted you all to think. And stop being mean to each other. 

Marsha
 

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