Roberta Cooley: Cornea recipient

I have been extremely near-sighted all my life. I remember thinking trees were just brown sticks with big green blobs at the top. All through school I had to sit in the front row to be able to see the blackboard. My poor vision helped develop my memory, so in spite of not seeing well, I excelled in school and was a straight A student. In high school I started wearing contact lenses that helped slow down the progression of my changing vision. Eventually, I needed the prescription changed every 9 months, but even then my eye doctors could not correct my vision. I could barely pass my driver's license. I was working in ICU as a nurse and could not read the small print on medication vials. I was at a point where I needed to do something or lose my job.

After multiple different types of surgeries to correct my vision, my eyesight was only made worse, not better. This led to my first cornea transplant.

My first cornea transplant was 14-15 years ago. It enabled me to keep my job and keep working. After 11 years I needed two additional transplants, and thankfully, these surgeries were an option.

Throughout all my ordeals I do more than many normal-sighted people. I snow ski, water ski, scuba dive, ride horses, and continue to work a full-time job and a part-time job. I also now have 2 great-nieces that I adore, and seeing them grow and change is probably the most special thing to me!

I have been able to continue working as a nurse. In that capacity I hope I impact someone every day. I continue to be a part of my great-nieces' lives as they grow, and I am now focusing on retirement and am learning to train horses.