Help Prevent Zavier from Losing His Sight
Donation protected
My name is Zavier Cheverria, and I'm a 24-year old Jamaican young man from the parish of St Ann. I am a final year student in the Bachelor of Music Education (BME) programme at the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts.
I started wearing glasses at about 2 years old. My optician then, the late Dr. Cindo Nicholson, discovered that I was highly myopic (nearsighted). Since then, my glasses have been an extension of me and a part of my identity. It went everywhere I went because I was dysfunctional without it-i just couldn't see. 22 years later, this fact still remains; I'm unable to see anything without my glasses. Even with my glasses, my vision is still limited. When I was old enough to understand the extent and severity of my optical restriction, I was informed that unlike many others I was seeing in negative regions in the normal field of vision (-17/20 and -19/20 in my left and right eye respectively). The need for very thick lens and very specific types of glasses frames was now justified.
The nature of my myopia has caused me to develop Lattice Degeneration in both eyes as well as put me at very high risk of Macular Degeneration. Lattice Degeneration is a condition in which the peripheral retina (the part that lines the back of the eye) starts thinning or wearing away. This part of the eye is necessary to maintain good vision. Macular Degeneration is a condition in which the macula (the central part of the retina where images are focused) starts wearing away. I have once before shown signs of the latter. A hole had developed in my retina, but it closed on its own.
All in all, these conditions can lead to a detachment of the retina and possibly loss of sight. I was informed recently by my Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, Dr. Donovan Calder that I am at high risk for retinal detachment, and that it is necessary for me to undergo retinal laser surgery in an attempt to prevent any further degeneration and possible total loss of my sight. There is no telling when this detachment can occur, so the need for the surgery is urgent. The procedures to be done are as follows:
1. Fundus Photography: This a procedure where a photograph of the fundus (the back of the eye containing the retina, optic nerve, and the retinal blood vessels) is taken in full colour to see better details.
2. Optical Coherence Tomography: A non-invasive imaging technique used to capture high resolution cross-sectional images of the retina.
I started wearing glasses at about 2 years old. My optician then, the late Dr. Cindo Nicholson, discovered that I was highly myopic (nearsighted). Since then, my glasses have been an extension of me and a part of my identity. It went everywhere I went because I was dysfunctional without it-i just couldn't see. 22 years later, this fact still remains; I'm unable to see anything without my glasses. Even with my glasses, my vision is still limited. When I was old enough to understand the extent and severity of my optical restriction, I was informed that unlike many others I was seeing in negative regions in the normal field of vision (-17/20 and -19/20 in my left and right eye respectively). The need for very thick lens and very specific types of glasses frames was now justified.
The nature of my myopia has caused me to develop Lattice Degeneration in both eyes as well as put me at very high risk of Macular Degeneration. Lattice Degeneration is a condition in which the peripheral retina (the part that lines the back of the eye) starts thinning or wearing away. This part of the eye is necessary to maintain good vision. Macular Degeneration is a condition in which the macula (the central part of the retina where images are focused) starts wearing away. I have once before shown signs of the latter. A hole had developed in my retina, but it closed on its own.
All in all, these conditions can lead to a detachment of the retina and possibly loss of sight. I was informed recently by my Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, Dr. Donovan Calder that I am at high risk for retinal detachment, and that it is necessary for me to undergo retinal laser surgery in an attempt to prevent any further degeneration and possible total loss of my sight. There is no telling when this detachment can occur, so the need for the surgery is urgent. The procedures to be done are as follows:
1. Fundus Photography: This a procedure where a photograph of the fundus (the back of the eye containing the retina, optic nerve, and the retinal blood vessels) is taken in full colour to see better details.
2. Optical Coherence Tomography: A non-invasive imaging technique used to capture high resolution cross-sectional images of the retina.
3. Retinal Laser Surgery: This is where the surgeon points a laser beam through the pupil of the eye and into the retina to seal any retinal tears, strengthen the retina, and prevent any further deterioration by "welding" the retina to te underlying tissue.
Regardless of my visual limitations, I've managed to maintain being on the Honour Roll at school for all the years I've been there, and also have managed to keep a positive outlook on life. There were times when it did get challenging, but with the help of God and my support system, I've been able to get through those low moments.
My family and I are currently unable to finance the tests, procedure and post surgery costs at this time. Your considerate donations will go a far way in helping to ensure that I am able to continue life with some degree of normality and experience a future that I can actually see.
Thank you in advance for your help. May God return to you what you've donated to me in ways that you least expected, and may He grant you also the desires of your heart.
Regardless of my visual limitations, I've managed to maintain being on the Honour Roll at school for all the years I've been there, and also have managed to keep a positive outlook on life. There were times when it did get challenging, but with the help of God and my support system, I've been able to get through those low moments.
My family and I are currently unable to finance the tests, procedure and post surgery costs at this time. Your considerate donations will go a far way in helping to ensure that I am able to continue life with some degree of normality and experience a future that I can actually see.
Thank you in advance for your help. May God return to you what you've donated to me in ways that you least expected, and may He grant you also the desires of your heart.
Fundraising team (2)
Zavier Cheverria
Organizer
New York, NY
Joshua White
Beneficiary
Dania Dobbs
Team member
