In July 2005 I was diagnosed with an eye condition, called Keratoconus. Which is thinning and bulging of the cornea making vision blurred. They said it was mild.
At the beginning of 2006 I enrolled on a IT Technicians course ( IT Practitioner Diploma in Systems Support) at my local college.
It was time for my yearly check up July '06 at hospital . To my shock the consultant told me that I was in the advanced stage of my condition (right eye) and that I needed a cornea transplant. As I was four months pregnant I did not go ahead with it.
As it was July, half way through my course and time for summer holidays I needed to make a decision. I was having trouble reading the computer screen when performing tasks, I didn't think much of it. it's weird because when you're out and about your using your eyes at different distances and you don't notice any changes in your vision. Also when your eyesight goes you forget what is normal, you get used to the sight that you end up with, well that's how I feel. I thought that I had a good five years left before I reached the advanced stage. Because of my eye condition and also that I would have been heavily pregnant towards the end of my course I decided to phone the college and cancel the course.
That's when I enrolled with
Skillstrain for the
A+ and
N+ courses.
Early '07 I had a girl. At this time my vision was at its worst, me left eye had deteriorated but at a slower rate. Glasses didn't help. Each day was a struggle, I didn't actually think about it, but I noticed it all the time. Even though all the rooms in the house were painted white, and had extra light bulbs on to improve sight.
I was pregnant again, and had a boy in Feb '08. By this time I had only submitted one TMA. Despite sitting down to study on many occasions.
The first four months of having my son I was determined to get my life on track and began researching on the internet to find a treatment for my condition. My sight was so bad my eyes were just a few centimetres away from the computer screen. I eventually found something which was very new to the U.K, therefore not on the nhs.
In August '08 I had my cornea transplant on my right eye. In September and December I had private treatment in London on my left eye with ring implants to push the cornea down, and treatment to halt the condition, to improve vision.
2009 and my right transplant hasn't been successful. I got blood vessels in my eye which went through the cornea, resulting in scarring and blurred vision. My left eye has improved slightly. I also contacted
Skillstrain as my three years were up, but to my suprise they gave me another three years, a fresh start, how good is that.
The big 2010. Early Feb I have had another cornea transplant on my right eye. three weeks in and my sight has already improved, early days but looking good. It takes 12-18 months for the cornea to heal and have vision back. My left eye is good enough for me not to feel down. Everything is looking bright and shiny with both eyes.
Since my op I needed four weeks rest, so my husband is off work and full time at home, giving me plenty of time to study. I have the new '09 study materials and am really enjoying them, more of a hand on approach. I have already sent three TMA's in ten days, and getting good marks. My plan is to submit at least two TMA's each week.
I am really grateful and would like to thank
Skillstrain for giving me the extension, if it wasn't for them I still wouldn't be on the course. I feel it's the beginning of a success story. After my studies I plan to get a job in IT and make something for myself and for my families future.
Thank you
Skillstrain.
-Samina
