Fund for Nicole Graves
Donation protected
GO FUND ME
WE NEED YOUR CARING HEARTS!!
We are educators at a Title 1 school in Katy, Texas, striving to help fund a cause for our friend and fellow teacher, Nicole Graves. It is a serious and timely situation that needs to be addressed as soon as possible! We are asking and pleading for your help in sharing Nicole’s story. You can simply share the link to your personal social networking choices and talk to everyone you can!
Nicole’s Story
Nicole was told she had astigmatism in 2009, when she was 25 years old. In 2013, she was diagnosed with a rare eye disease called keratoconus. She went in for an eye exam because her vision had changed so drastically. Her optometrist referred her to an ophthalmologist, who then diagnosed the disease. The doctors have since prescribed many different specialized corrective contact lenses, which is a lengthy and painful process. Sadly, these lenses are only a temporary fix with her advanced stages of keratoconus. Again, in March, 2019, her vision changed dramatically within 5 months. Usually, these lenses work for 1 to 1 ½ years. At this rate, immediate intervention is necessary! https://keratoconusinserts.com
About Nicole
Nicole is now 35 years old. She is a very loving single mom of 2 boys, ages 2 and 6 years old. Her only source of income is her profession as a teacher at a Title 1 elementary school. Nicole is a very humble, reserved, kind, and selfless person, who is loved and respected in our school by peers, students, and parents. She loves teaching children math and science. Truth is, the keratoconus is affecting her life in many ways. We are concerned for her and her future. The keratoconus causes her to have to wear very dark sunglasses at all times. Imagine that, in an indoor environment every day and with waning vision. She could lose her ability to drive and teach, and as a single mother and provider, that is a huge obstacle. At home, safety is now an issue, as she is unable to see out of the door peephole. Reading has become a constant challenge. Coincidentally, amidst all of the challenges, Nicole was blessed with a new team partner teacher this year. Anita Ruthenbeck is a mom of 8 children, 5 of whom are adopted and several with special needs. In a conversation, the subject of keratoconus came up. They were in shock, because Anita’s son has the same rare eye disease!! What are the odds?!! Until recently, only 1 in 2000 people were diagnosed, and now 1 in 500. Fortunately, he had procedures done to stabilize his keratoconus progression, exactly the same treatment that Nicole’s doctors recommended! Anita has helped Nicole connect with the specialist, Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler, MD at the Boxer Wachler Vision Institute. She has also shared private and useful information, and is a pillar of support. Anita is a true gift of goodness and hope!
Solution
Nicole’s team of doctors has recommended specialized procedures to
stop the progression of the keratoconus. This can be done with non-invasive procedures called, Holcomb C3-R® cross-linking, Intacs® lens inserts, and CK™ conductive keratoplasty treatment. The Boxer Wachler Institute states that, “In the past, many people with keratoconus have been told-by their eye doctors- that their only options were hard contact lenses or an invasive and painful cornea transplant. This medical device is antiquated and no longer applies. At the Boxer Wachler Vision Institute, we have made amazing technological advances. Today, Boxer Wachler Holcomb C3-R® and Intacs® helps people who could not be helped in the past! Best of all, our treatments typically give people the peace of mind of never needing to worry about having a cornea transplant in the future.” Nicole is at risk of permanent vision loss without these procedures! https://keratoconusinserts.com
Associated Costs
Unfortunately, these procedures are not yet covered by most insurance.The estimated cost for the treatments that Nicole needs is $27,343. She will also need travel expenses for 2 people (mandatory to have someone with her), travel to/from California, 4 nights/5 days hotel and food. As a single mom and provider, having an extra monthly payment for many years is not a realistic option.
This is why we are so passionate about asking for your help in sharing her story and creating awareness for these state-of-the-art keratoconus treatment options! Hopefully, one day, insurance will acknowledge these necessary procedures, you may prevent someone from needing a cornea transplant, and most of all….you will save someone’s eyesight before it’s too late!
Words cannot express our sincere gratitude and gratefulness as we form this bond and make this possible for Nicole and her boys’ future.
THANK YOU SO MUCH
WE NEED YOUR CARING HEARTS!!
We are educators at a Title 1 school in Katy, Texas, striving to help fund a cause for our friend and fellow teacher, Nicole Graves. It is a serious and timely situation that needs to be addressed as soon as possible! We are asking and pleading for your help in sharing Nicole’s story. You can simply share the link to your personal social networking choices and talk to everyone you can!
Nicole’s Story
Nicole was told she had astigmatism in 2009, when she was 25 years old. In 2013, she was diagnosed with a rare eye disease called keratoconus. She went in for an eye exam because her vision had changed so drastically. Her optometrist referred her to an ophthalmologist, who then diagnosed the disease. The doctors have since prescribed many different specialized corrective contact lenses, which is a lengthy and painful process. Sadly, these lenses are only a temporary fix with her advanced stages of keratoconus. Again, in March, 2019, her vision changed dramatically within 5 months. Usually, these lenses work for 1 to 1 ½ years. At this rate, immediate intervention is necessary! https://keratoconusinserts.com
About Nicole
Nicole is now 35 years old. She is a very loving single mom of 2 boys, ages 2 and 6 years old. Her only source of income is her profession as a teacher at a Title 1 elementary school. Nicole is a very humble, reserved, kind, and selfless person, who is loved and respected in our school by peers, students, and parents. She loves teaching children math and science. Truth is, the keratoconus is affecting her life in many ways. We are concerned for her and her future. The keratoconus causes her to have to wear very dark sunglasses at all times. Imagine that, in an indoor environment every day and with waning vision. She could lose her ability to drive and teach, and as a single mother and provider, that is a huge obstacle. At home, safety is now an issue, as she is unable to see out of the door peephole. Reading has become a constant challenge. Coincidentally, amidst all of the challenges, Nicole was blessed with a new team partner teacher this year. Anita Ruthenbeck is a mom of 8 children, 5 of whom are adopted and several with special needs. In a conversation, the subject of keratoconus came up. They were in shock, because Anita’s son has the same rare eye disease!! What are the odds?!! Until recently, only 1 in 2000 people were diagnosed, and now 1 in 500. Fortunately, he had procedures done to stabilize his keratoconus progression, exactly the same treatment that Nicole’s doctors recommended! Anita has helped Nicole connect with the specialist, Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler, MD at the Boxer Wachler Vision Institute. She has also shared private and useful information, and is a pillar of support. Anita is a true gift of goodness and hope!
Solution
Nicole’s team of doctors has recommended specialized procedures to
stop the progression of the keratoconus. This can be done with non-invasive procedures called, Holcomb C3-R® cross-linking, Intacs® lens inserts, and CK™ conductive keratoplasty treatment. The Boxer Wachler Institute states that, “In the past, many people with keratoconus have been told-by their eye doctors- that their only options were hard contact lenses or an invasive and painful cornea transplant. This medical device is antiquated and no longer applies. At the Boxer Wachler Vision Institute, we have made amazing technological advances. Today, Boxer Wachler Holcomb C3-R® and Intacs® helps people who could not be helped in the past! Best of all, our treatments typically give people the peace of mind of never needing to worry about having a cornea transplant in the future.” Nicole is at risk of permanent vision loss without these procedures! https://keratoconusinserts.com
Associated Costs
Unfortunately, these procedures are not yet covered by most insurance.The estimated cost for the treatments that Nicole needs is $27,343. She will also need travel expenses for 2 people (mandatory to have someone with her), travel to/from California, 4 nights/5 days hotel and food. As a single mom and provider, having an extra monthly payment for many years is not a realistic option.
This is why we are so passionate about asking for your help in sharing her story and creating awareness for these state-of-the-art keratoconus treatment options! Hopefully, one day, insurance will acknowledge these necessary procedures, you may prevent someone from needing a cornea transplant, and most of all….you will save someone’s eyesight before it’s too late!
Words cannot express our sincere gratitude and gratefulness as we form this bond and make this possible for Nicole and her boys’ future.
THANK YOU SO MUCH
Fundraising team (3)
Nicole Graves
Organizer
Katy, TX
Kelly Graham Pickard
Team member
Anita Ruthenbeck
Team member