When I was 12 years old, I came to the United States with my family from the Dominican Republic. Shortly after I arrived, I found out I had keratoconus in my left eye. The disease got worse and I was told that the disease could make me blind if I didn’t have a cornea transplant.
I was afraid to have the transplant and lived with the disease for many years but a turning point came when I was driving on the highway one day and the soft contact lens in my right eye moved. I slammed on the brakes because I couldn’t see anything. It was then I decided to have the cornea transplant.
Having the surgery completely transformed my life. Best of all was when I could clearly see the faces of my children for the first time in my life. Now, when I think of my kids I have a clear picture of what their faces look like and it’s very gratifying. I want my donor family to know that their loved one’s gift changed my life for the better and I am so grateful.