Support Mersedeh's Fight for Vision and Stability

My name is Mersedeh Shahinkar.

I am a survivor. But more importantly, I am a fighter. I am an Iranian human rights advocate, and a survivor of intentional blinding, a result of protesting during the 2022 Woman Life Freedom movement in Iran. Within three months after my injury, I underwent three ophthalmic surgeries in Iran, which saved my eye from getting enucleated. The initial treatment plan was to follow with a corneal transplant to salvage my vision. But I had to flee Iran before I could receive any further treatment because the Islamic Republic Government began to harass and threaten my family and I with arrest, persecution, and imprisonment.

Soon after my surgery, while my eye was still in bandages, Islamic Republic security officers ransacked my home and threatened me with harm. I knew that I was next to be sent to prison, where I would face the same experience as other protestors: false charges of espionage, plotting to overthrow the government, political dissidence, rebellion, apostasy and a variety of other accusations that carry the death penalty in the Islamic Republic.

After fleeing Iran, I made my journey through Europe where I could not receive any further treatment. Now I am in the United States hoping to salvage the vision in my right eye. I am scheduled to undergo a corneal transplant and its aftercare.

I have a 12-year-old daughter, Roza, who accompanies me everywhere. First and foremost, I am a mother and I have an obligation to take care of my daughter, provide for her schooling and meet every other basic need she has in life. Seeing my wounded eye, and being forced to be my nurse instead of a carefree young girl, have left their mark on her as well. Although several people have kindly supported us financially so far, we cannot continue to burden a few people with our long-term needs.

While “Wills Eye Hospital” in Philadelphia has generously accepted to fully cover my medical expenses through the “Eyes on Humanity” fund, Roza and I still need financial support for our living expenses while I am going through my course of treatment. Your generous contributions will help us cover our medical-related expenses such as my medications and eye drops, our housing, transportation, groceries, clothes, Roza's education and so many other normal life expenses.

I truly appreciate you helping me bring peace and stability to my life after the injustice and cruelty I have experienced at the hands of the Islamic Republic.

I could not have made it this far without your support and I am deeply grateful for your help!

Mersedeh