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THE MACULAR
DEGENERATION COMMUNITY

Latunza


 

Name
Latunza Everett

Born
5/12/1974

Home
Jackson, Mississippi

Diagnosis
Stargardt disease

Eyes Affected
Both

Eye Color
Brown

Age at Diagnosis
8

Acuity
20/200 and 20/400

Treatment
None

Prognosis or Current State of Vision
Stable

Family History
None

Impact on My Life
I found out at a young age. At first, it was nothing really abnormal to me. Life was not really harder or different than other kids around me, but as I got older, my vision deteriorated more and more. By the time I was in high school, I couldn't see the chalkboard without standing right in front of it, or read a book without almost touching my face with it. I have never really had a problem with colors or blurred vision. Having to be very close to anything I'm trying to read, even large signs, has always been a problem for me. The main thing that bothers me now is not being able to drive.

Having to depend on different people to take me and my kids everywhere we need to go has always been the hardest part to deal with. Getting to and from work when the hours are not normal business hours is a challenge. Today, I was offered a new job, but its about 25 miles away in a neighboring city. I really have no idea how I am going to get to and from work 5 days a week from 12:00-9:00 pm.

Another difficult challenge with having Stargardt's is that I have never met or heard of another person who even had this disease until tonight. I never knew there were support groups where you could talk to other people dealing with the same hardships. I have always felt like no one in my circle really understands what its like.

Positive Effects
Stargardt's has not stopped me from leading a fairly normal life. I got married and I have two daughters. We do all the same things other families do, except we always have to get a ride.

I graduated from high school and college with a BS in Accounting.



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