How much is your eyesight worth to you? It’s easy to take for granted what you’ve never had to do without. Unfortunately, my uncle, Bobby Swiger, has always paid a price when it came to his vision. Whether it was the detrimental price of losing his eyesight at an early age, or the sum of $25,000 needed to allow Bobby the opportunity for life-long vision. Bobby Swiger is 43 years old. He and his family currently reside in Lumberport, WV. Bobby was born with a disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa. RP is a rare, inherited degenerative eye disease that causes severe vision impairment. Bobby was considered legally blind as a child, meaning he was forced to adapt to an abnormal lifestyle at a very early age. Despite his condition, Bobby never stopped trying to meet personal goals in life. He was able to acquire his certification as a personal trainer, which he used for 12 years at the YMCA. He also attended Clarksburg Beauty Academy where he earned his license as a massage therapist. In 2014, Bobby underwent his first crucial surgery, that inevitably prolonged his eyesight much longer than diagnostically expected apart from treatment. RP is a chronic, incurable condition; however, treatment is possible and highly encouraged to help improve and maintain vision. Bobby benefited gratefully from the first surgery, doubling his visibility, and stabilizing his vision for nearly a decade. That being said, he is still legally blind with limited tunnel vision. Fortunately, with the advancement of science and technology, there is a new and improved version of this treatment, Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study II (SCOTS2). SCOTS2 is intended to increase his visual outcome by applying 50x more stem cells than the previous surgery. Of the patients treated thus far in this specific study, 83.3% have experienced visual improvements in both eyes. For my Uncle Bobby, this would not only mean he would gain back the invaluable gift of seeing the world around him, but it would also substantially improve his quality of life. This surgery could provide him with the independence needed to reestablish his profession and rejoin the workforce. Before SCOTS2, Bobby didn’t dare dream of owning his own driver’s license, but this surgery would open up that possibly. SCOTS2 is the largest stem cells trial to date in ophthalmology and to be accepted in this current study, patients must fall within a very specific and rigid criteria. Bobby applied for this study and was accepted. Being approved into this treatment was just the beginning of many obstacles necessary to make this come to fruition. In 2014, with the help of a devoted army of countless people, who donated their time and efforts, we were able to successfully raise the required amount. Thankfully, he is still surrounded by family and friends who are fully prepared to join him on this journey in raising the funds for this second surgery. We know this is not an easy task. It may even seem unobtainable, futile, or hopeless. However, as they say, “where there is a will, there is a way.” Bobby definitely has the will and as compassionate human beings; we are all morally responsible for helping aid in creating the way. No one person can achieve it, but together we can make this happen. Every little bit will help. Please consider contributing to changing a life. Together, we can do it. (This Go Fund Me is completely nonprofit. All funds obtained will go directly towards receiving medical care).
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