For a long time, glaucoma felt like a wall. Not just something I had—but something that stood between me and the life I wanted to live. I avoided it. I ignored the routines. I skipped the drops. I brushed off the follow-ups. Not because I didn’t care, but because I was scared. Overwhelmed. Young. And trying to pretend it wasn’t as serious as it was.
In that avoidance, I lost more than vision—I lost time I can’t get back. And that truth is hard to say out loud. But it’s also where my growth began.
Because eventually, I had no choice but to face it. And when I did, I discovered a version of myself I didn’t know existed—one rooted in resilience, clarity, and purpose.
Growth unlocked meant:
- Letting go of shame for what I didn’t know or didn’t do.
- Learning how to adapt instead of avoid.
- Accepting help and advocating not just for myself—but now for my child, too.
When my 10-year-old was diagnosed with glaucoma, everything shifted again. I could no longer afford avoidance. I had to lead with love and awareness. I had to become what I needed at 13.
I still have tough days. But I’m no longer hiding behind that wall—I’ve broken through it.
Glaucoma changed my life. But it also refined it. And even in the darkness, growth has found its way






