Spanish Town woman in desperate bid to save her vision

Thirty-one-year-old Alicia Robinson is in a desperate bid to save her eyesight as she has a medical condition which is causing her to lose her vision and needs to get surgery in New York for corrective measures.

Robinson is suffering from idiopathic intracranial hypertension, a condition when high pressure around the brain causes symptoms like vision changes, headache and papilledema [optic disc swelling]. She underwent surgery last year that cost $6 million. She felt that she was on the road to recovery; she was wrong. The procedure will have to be repeated.

Robinson, who was experiencing blurred vision and nausea, was finally diagnosed last June after numerous doctor visits could not find the cause.

A few months later, thanks to the kindness of family and friends, plus a successful GoFundMe campaign, doctors performed her surgery on her birthday, October 12.

In January, under restrictions from her neurosurgeon, Robinson went back to work. But from late February into March she said the familiar symptoms started returning. In addition to the nausea and headaches, she also suffered from abdominal pain, tingling in her hands and feet, and neck and shoulder pain. Her diagnosis was reconfirmed after a doctor's visit.

"This was the worst feeling ever. I feel so frustrated and at times depressed because I really thought I could have my life back and get back on my feet financially having used all I had towards my medical expenses," she said.

Now in a race against time to save her sight, Robinson who lives in Spanish Town, St Catherine, must come up with an estimated US$67,865 (approximately $10,286,515) which is not the final bill as she has other tests to do before surgery. Factored in her other expenses are her airfare and the cost to acquire a US visa as she must give evidence that she can cover the cost of the procedure before she can submit documents. But Robinson is still clinging to hope and faith that just as it worked out before, it will again this time.

"The procedure is scheduled for July 29 and I am expected to be in New York by July 27 or before for pre-op procedures. Time is running out and my vision is at risk," she said.

While she waits, she must deal with constant emergency room visits and image testing as her symptoms are worsening.

"I suffer for days in silence because nobody understands that not every disability is someone sitting in a wheelchair or having lines attached to their body on a hospital bed. Nobody talks about the severity of this disease and how life-changing this is. [I am] Constantly feeling and asking myself, 'Is this really it, is my life over?'" she said.

Struggling to remain hopeful, Robinson said she gets up every day, fighting to make do with the confidence that God is going to heal her.

Persons wishing to assist Alicia Robinson may contact her at 876-348-8733.