A Letter From Bev Hughes
My husband Rob and I were absolutely thrilled to welcome our third baby girl Rachael into our family. When she was 5 weeks old, we noticed she didn't respond like her older sisters, Sophie, 5 and Isla, 3, when they were the same age. At 12 weeks old we took her to an ophthalmologist where we were told she was legally blind. Our world came crashing down. She was diagnosed with Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy (FEVR).
My sister Kay, who is an optometrist, and I immediately began researching FEVR. We noticed many of the FEVR articles we came across were written by Dr. Trese. Rachael had excellent care by her retinal surgeon in Sydney, who also highly recommended Dr. Trese having worked with him in the past. Rob and I knew we had to take Rachael to see him.
In July 2015, Kay, Rachael (now 5 months old) and I went to Royal Oak, Michigan, while Rob stayed in Sydney to look after Sophie and Isla. Dr. Trese examined Rachael under a general anesthetic and confirmed the diagnosis and treatment plan of our doctors in Sydney. I came home inspired and determined to give Rachael every opportunity in life that her older sisters have and encourage her to do all the things she wants to do, just like we do with Sophie and Isla.
In July 2015, Kay, Rachael (now 5 months old) and I went to Royal Oak, Michigan, while Rob stayed in Sydney to look after Sophie and Isla. Dr. Trese examined Rachael under a general anesthetic and confirmed the diagnosis and treatment plan of our doctors in Sydney. I came home inspired and determined to give Rachael every opportunity in life that her older sisters have and encourage her to do all the things she wants to do, just like we do with Sophie and Isla.
Rachael's left eye has a retinal fold across the macula. Her right eye has dragging and pulling of the retina. She uses this eye most of the time for her vision. Rachael is on target in meeting her milestones. Her eyes are stable today and her functional vision is better than what we were first told when she was diagnosed. She has come so far and has really surprised us. Rachael just celebrated her first birthday. Her favorite things to do are the moment are play peekaboo, laugh and play with her sisters who adore her, drop food on the floor, play with balls, water play and climb upstairs. I can't believe how the year has flown. Whilst it wasn't quite the year we had expected, Rob and I feel so blessed to her in our family. She has been such a joy and delight to us and we are loving watching her grow and explore.