* Ava's Vision of Hope Fundraiser at Billiards Cafe

There is a benefit for Ava on Friday, Nov. 2^nd at the Billiards Café in Ayer.  This is to help raise money to   pay for medical bills, specialty care and aids, hospital expenses, etc.    Donations may be made to Ava’s Vision of Hope c/o Fidelity Bank, 21 Main St. Shirley, Ma. 01454.


Ava, who is now seven years old, was born severely Myopic.  This means that she had extreme near-sightedness, causing her eyes to be oval shaped.  This triggers the retina to pull away during her growth years.   
 
She received her first pair of glasses at 10 months old. Her personality really came out! Unfortunately though, the retina in her left eye detached when she was two years old. Because she was too young to tell her parents, by the time they realized what had happened, it was too late to repair.  As a result, she lost her sight in that left eye.   For the next several months the pain was so severe that it had to be removed. During the process of that surgery, the doctors discovered that the retina in the right eye was also detaching,  and she needed another surgery to repair it. 

For the next five years, Ava did fantastic with her limited sight. Last year however, the retina in her right eye  detached three times in four months, resulting in three surgeries.  Ava lost her sight completely after the second surgery, and has not regained any vision.  All in all, Ava has been through nine surgeries.

The Doctors at Mass Eye and Ear and Duke University Hospital are trying to keep her retina attached for the health of her eye, although they are unsure if her vision will ever return.

Ava and her family have moved forward by preparing Ava for the world ahead.  In anticipation of her going blind, she has been learning Braille and has been taking mobility lessons for the past two years.  This has been tremendously helpful.

Ava is a bright and funny 2^nd grader who enjoys playing with her dolls, going to Old Orchard Beach with Grandma-ma, playing with her friends,  and swimming at her grandparent’s cottage. She finds her own ways to do things that other kids who can see are able to do normally.  She has no regrets  and does not seem bothered by the fact that she can’t see.  Ava has the best attitude and never complains that she can’t  see.  She even jokes about it from time to time. Ava was asked if she was mad because she couldn’t see, and her response was “I would rather be able to see, but I’m ok if I can’t because I know I have a great family to take care of me”.  Ava has a strong supportive family who never stop being amazed by her strong will and positive attitude. We have all learned a lot from her.