Help Matthew Achieve His Dream to Drive

My name is Matthew.  I am 21 years old.  Ever since I can remember, I have always wanted to drive.   I hung pictures of 1966 Mustangs in my room starting when I was 8 years old.  One day in late May 2015, when I was 15 years old, I went hiking.  It was a beautiful sunny day and I love nature.  I did not realize when I headed out that it had rained heavily the night before, and the ground was very slippery.  I slipped and fell while climbing a steep hill.  As a result of the injuries I sustained, I ended up with low vision.  Originally, the doctors said my vision might improve.  I was hopeful that would be the case and I tried to stay optimistic that it would happen one day.  Sadly my vision did not improve after about the first year.  Starting in 2016, I went to see numerous optometrists to try and find glasses they could prescribe which would allow me to pass the Ministry of Transportation’s driving test.  I was told repeatedly no prescriptions were available that would fix my low vision sufficiently so that I could drive.  Still, I refused to give up.  Last year I went and saw two eye specialists to see if surgery was an option. I was told by both specialists that surgery was not an option. I was devastated but remained determined not to give up.  

My dream is no longer just an 8 year old boy’s dream of driving a fancy sports car.  For me, driving represents independence. Driving also would allow me to involve myself in more activities in the community and facilitate my search for employment. 

In December 2020, Ontario amended its laws to allow people like me to pass their driving test using Bioptic telescope glasses.  These are regular glasses that have a type of small telescope attached.  Fourty-Five states in the U.S., and now two provinces and two territories in Canada permit them.  I have tried them and they work really well.  The current model includes autofocus (VES Falcon AutoFocus Bioptic ) so I do not need to adjust them if driving.  Unfortunately, they cost over $5,000.  My parents have helped me a lot over the years and continue to do so.  They have explained to me however that given the high cost of the glasses, plus potential additional costs (the below article mentions training to use them and special driving instruction), that  I need to pay at least part of the glasses myself.   I understand .    I have been trying to find a job since I finished College in December, I have not had any luck as Covid is making the job market really hard.   I am still trying.  I hope that one day soon I will be able to buy these Autofocu Bioptics with any Go Fund Me monies, plus my savings and any earnings I can make and thereafter hopefully achieve my life long dream of driving. 

Any contribution helps and is greatly appreciated.   Please don't feel it needs to be large.  I am grateful for anything. 

Thank you.   

Matthew

For reference: Burlington EYECARE