Gloria’s Eye Surgery Funds!
Hello everyone! My name is Maya, the youngest of Gloria’s four children. My sisters, Maikayla and Cheyenne, are teaming up with me to help raise support for her, our brother Matthew helping out when he can. Our mother (54), is the hardest working person we know with determination to pay the bills, afford groceries, and support her family. She has always been a strong, devoted mother, and a highly loving and involved grandmother of our sweet Roland (4). Being an eternal optimist, no matter how she is feeling - which often isn’t great due to her fibromyalgia - she always pushes herself to work. She and I live on our own in Charlottetown, PE, and since my sisters and I were children, we've become aware that financial instability existed in our lives. Throughout Gloria's whole life she has had to live paycheque to paycheque, working long consecutive hours to cover the bare minimum, always supporting us. It's our turn to give back to her! The past couple of years, I have contributed what I can for bills & rent, I'll buy groceries, get gas, etc. Even then, my contributions only cover a portion of our living expenses. Unfortunately, I’ve been unable to work for almost two months and my income still has yet to be finalized, so I have not been able to help her out.
A couple of weeks ago, my mother was having trouble with her right eye (the same side of the ear she’s deaf in). It was causing her great discomfort and pain, and her vision was beginning to get blurry. It eventually started to affect the performance and comfort of her left eye, yet she continued to go to work, refusing to miss out on a few days' pay. After a few days, on October 8th, 2019 she finally gave in and spent the day at the QEH emerge. She was immediately advised not to drive and was sent to an optometrist, who then told her to pack her bags for last-minute emergency surgery in Halifax. The retina of her right eye had detached, meaning the retina (the thin layer of tissue) at the back of the eye had pulled away. Professionals think it was caused by a bad fall years back.
(About four years ago, Gloria went on vacation to celebrate her 50th birthday. She ended up tripping, and tumbled down a hill, damaging especially the right side of her body. She was unconscious and woke up in a Cuban hospital. She had a series of severely painful injuries, including a broken rib, torn nose cartilage, damage to teeth, and traumatic brain injury. It’s very likely that it was then that caused it to slowly detach over the last four years.)
Surgery for her eye was performed on October 11th, and she returned home later that weekend. She was mostly relying on her cognitive map to get around the house. Because she has a relatively large nitrogen oxide gas bubble in her eye right now, she has to be very cautious about each small movement. She’s in a lot of pain and discomfort, and simple motions and tasks are difficult. Even though my mother doesn't like to sit still for long periods of time, she has no choice as she cannot return to work. Her vision in that eye has not yet returned as it can take anywhere from a few days after the surgery until a couple of months until vision returns (if it returns). However, the longer the detachment goes unrecognized/untreated, the longer it will take for the vision to return.
Because this was all so last minute and we are already behind in bills, we had to borrow a sum of money from family & friends for the whole situation. Until we figure out the next move, we’re unsure of when there will be a reliable and consistent source of income to cover living expenses.
My mother is very humble and sometimes doesn’t like to ask for much help, but I know she can’t do this alone. I want her to put her health first while being able to cover the necessary expenses!
I’m asking that you share this post on any social media outlet, as every gesture will make a difference!
Any and all contributions are extremely valued and appreciated!
