Rae DiTella's Fight For Sight

Rachel “Rae” DiTella was just four-years-old when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. She was the second sibling in her family to be diagnosed at such an early age.

Rae's life has been filled with a series of ups and downs due to her diabetes, but these challenges have not stopped her from pursuing a career and following her passion for music, and nature photography. Her dream is to someday become a marine biologist.

Now, at the age of 23, Rae has suffered a devastating blow.  Her retina recently detached in her left eye, leaving her sightless in that eye.  Then, only two days later, her right eye hemorrhaged. As a result, Rae has endured two surgeries in an attempt to correct her loss of vision. Unfortunately, these surgeries have led to complications which have required multiple trips to the hospital.

These devastating setbacks have left Rae to face an uncertain future. She is currently unable to work due to her condition and her medical bills continue to pile up. Rae’s family is doing all they can to help. Her mom, Deb, is a single parent who has been forced to take an unpaid leave from work in order to care for her daughter.

Rae is currently facing overwhelming medical bills which will continue to mount as doctors desperately work to restore her vision. The daily costs of diabetic care and living expenses also work to make her situation more daunting.

My name is Shirley Kerstein. I began babysitting Rae when she was three-years-old. I was the person who noticed Rae was showing diabetic symptoms, much like her brother did the year before. I love this girl like my own. It breaks my heart to see her struggle, not only with this disease, but also with the financial burden that has now been placed on her and her family.

Thank you in advance for your prayers and contributions. Please share Rae's story so we can help her overcome this overwhelming obstacle!