Christmas Miracle: Once Was Blind, Now Can See!

Brooklyn Mom, Blind for past Two Years, Has Eyes Repaired in Surgery


From the ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cassy Rivera calls it "a Christmas miracle."

A disease, uveitis, blinded Rivera two years ago. Now, surgery has repaired one eye - allowing the Brooklyn mom to see her toddler for the first time.

Rivera tells the Daily News it was like "touching the stars and the clouds and the moon."

Rivera's 7-year-old is her biggest fan. Alayza said she didn't need presents - she just wanted her mom to see again.

The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary donated costs not covered by Medicaid.

The chance of success was about 50/50. When the bandages came off, Rivera was so scared that she kept her eyes shut for 10 minutes. Then she screamed with joy.

"It was beautiful," she recalled. "I saw his (Doctor's) tie. I saw the computer. And then I realized, 'I'm going to get to see my kids today.'"

After Christmas, she'll have surgery on her other eye.

The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary donated costs not covered by Medicaid.

Copy & paste link for entire article plus video from the NY Daily News:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/12/18/2009-12-18_thanks_to_generous_surgeons_bklyn_mom_regains_her_sight__gets_to_see_true_meanin.html