It is hard to believe that today marks exactly nine years since my life changed forever.

Today, I am celebrating the 9th anniversary of my cornea transplant. As I look around today—taking in the colors, the details, and the faces of the people I love—I am overwhelmed with a sense of stability and profound gratitude.

My transplant is doing great, and my vision is going strong. But reaching this milestone wasn’t a solo journey. It took a team of experts and the ultimate act of generosity from a stranger.

World-Class Care at Home

I have to send a massive thank you to the incredible teams at Mercy Hospital and Wolfe Eye Clinic.

From the initial consultations to the surgery itself and the years of follow-up care, I have felt completely supported. The skill and precision required for this surgery are immense, and I feel so lucky to have had access to such high-quality care.

To the doctors, nurses, and support staff who guided me through the fear and the recovery: thank you for your expertise and your kindness. You helped restore a vital part of my life.

The Gift of Sight

While I am grateful for the technology and the medicine, the true heart of this celebration belongs to someone I will likely never meet.

My transplant was made possible because of an organ donor.

I often think about the donor and their family. I think about the immense strength it must have taken for a grieving family to make a decision in the midst of their worst nightmare. They faced a horrible situation, yet they found the courage to extract a bit of good out of it to help someone else.

Because they said “yes” to donation, I can see.

Their loss became my legacy of sight. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t appreciate the sunset, a book, or a smile, knowing that I am viewing it through a gift they provided.

Looking Forward

Nine years later, my eye is healthy, my vision is clear, and my heart is full.

If you are reading this and haven’t registered to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor yet, please consider it. It is one of the most powerful ways to leave a lasting impact on the world.

Here’s to many more years of clarity!