I was diagnosed with uveitis for the first time about ten years ago. When I was 3 months postpartum, I began to require consistent monitoring and medical care as my left eye remained in a chronic inflammatory state. Since 2020, I have been on 6 different immunosuppressive medications and a constant dose of steroids in an attempt to keep my autoimmune disease activity under control (for this issue and another related diagnosis called ankylosing spondylitis). This combination of injections, pills, infusions and drops has been both exhausting and costly to manage. On top of raising my daughter, working as a speech-language pathologist, and getting my doctorate, who has the time or energy to be navigating the world of insurance?!

I share this to bring awareness to this little known condition, and to say that I am so fortunate to be receiving the best specialized care from the Massachusetts Eye Research & Surgery Institution (MERSI). Not everyone is so lucky.

Destructive inflammatory diseases of the eye such as uveitis are the third leading cause of blindness worldwide. In August I will walk and raise awareness for myself and everyone battling this disease. I will teach my daughter about strength and advocacy. Please consider a donation to assist in research, education and support!