10 years ago, I was a survivor of a violent and unprovoked glassing attack. After the attack, I fell to the ground with my left eye ball split in half, I was losing a lot of blood. I asked a friend to let my family know I loved them. I was 17 years old and I remember thinking, “this could be the end of my life”.
When I made it to hospital, I had urgent surgeries, lasting days. I remember going under general aesthetic in hysterics - there were endless things I wanted to see for the last time. I had been forced to sign waivers for both of my eyes to be removed, I was fully aware that I might wake up blind and never see again.
In a complex series of events, I did extremely well and was very fortunate. I was allowed to go home from hospital on Christmas Day 2011. At that time, I was blind in my left eye but the right eye was in tact. Since then, there have been a number of surgeries and optical experiments. Over the years, I have regained some vision in the left eye and the right eye remains with full vision. I still suffer from many problems associated with these injuries, but I try to be thankful for my eye sight every day. After all, there is so much beauty in the world to see.
Saving my eye sight would not have been possible without the fantastic healthcare system and its staff here in Australia and I consider myself very fortunate. I had access to brilliant eye surgeons, who performed surgeries that only a handful of people in Australia have the skills to do all of these life changing surgeries were at zero cost to me.
After my experiences, I strongly believe that everyone who doesn’t need to be blind, should have access to corrective surgery to restore their eye sight. It’s a tantalising to think, access to resources could prevent one from seeing.
In Fred’s words, “It’s obscene to let people go blind when they don’t have to”. The Fred Hollows Foundation, holds this at their genesis and it’s why I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to support them and make a difference.
So, on December 5, with the help of my family and friends, I will be spending 24 hours blindfolded to raise money for The Fred Hollows Foundation to help cure preventable blindness.
A staggering 4 out of 5 people who are blind, don’t need to be. For $25, The Fred Hollows Foundation is able to restore sight to a needlessly blind person, they do this through training more eye surgeons and health workers and funding eye clinics around the world.
The Foundation is responsible for restoring eye sight to more than 2.5 million people. Currently there are still over 25 million people who are blind, that don’t need to be and we have the power to change this.
If you are unable to help financially, I am also strongly calling for others to please consider joining me to “go blind, for the blind”. Anyone who would like to join me on this challenge can register their interest with me for either a 8, 16 and 24 hour option. We will be sharing planning tips for the day and you will also have the option to share photos/videos for The Foundation and media releases.
Thank you in advance for your generosity and support.
Steven
Thank you to my Sponsors
$200
Tim Paul Bhp Donor
$208.80
Will Doak
Well done mate - keep pushing and strive for greatness. You’re helping so many. Love it
$26.10
Louis Brown
Great work mate!
$104.40
Scott Ellis
He’s freshed it
$25
Jean Maxwell
Super proud of you Steve x
$104.40
Tim Paul
$57.42
Tom Doak
Well done Steve, I am very proud of you and always have been.
$26.10
Sean Grealy
Way to spread awareness brother <3
$100
Jason Edwards
From the Edwards Family ❤️
$26.10
Nick Thornely
Great work, for an amazing cause mate!
$20.88
Amy Turecki
$26.10
Sonum
Amazing cause Steveo!
$26.10
Ron Lim
Good luck Deeeaaallssmate
$25
Dan
Good luck tomorrow mate, such a great cause.
$52.20
Darcy Holland
$100
Greg
Great work mate. Very proud of you!
$20.88
Yunyun Heng
$25
Claire Wadey
Good luck with the challenge Steven. Amazing challenge and amazing cause! Xx
$26.10
Rahre Owen
Spook it up
$114.84
Olivier
Good luck !
$500
Daniel Gilbert
$26.10
Kyran Tyron
Not much has ever held you back mate... I love your work, always. KT x
$100
Ali Paul
You never fail to impress me, goodluck for the day!! Xx
$55
Megan Robson
$150
Katie Walsh
This is such a good cause. Proud of you cuz!
$26.10
Jazzy
Love ya work mate ????
$26.10
Taylor Winter
Love ya work spicey
$26.10
Ilaria Montrone
Great initiative Steven! ♥️
$26.10
Sanjiv Gopal
Gettem deals, miss you brother!
$26.10
Connor Eglinton
$26.10
Georgie Evans
Amazing Deally!
$57.20
Ben King
Best of luck Steven. I hope you be able to find a beer!
$500
Yvonne And John Deally
Hi Steve Great cause , hope it all goes well Love Mum and Dad
$114.40
Liz Paul
Great work Steve!
$114.40
Ann Marie
Bravo Steven.
$223.60
Mary O’toole
Brilliant cause Steven, happy to support! ?
$104
Jacqueline Ellen Carmichael
Thank you for supporting such a wonderful cause and making a difference to so many people!!
$114.40
Sonia And Henry Moore
Well done Steven ?
$26
Alexander Burrows
$26
Tim Hoskin
$26
Andreevski Nikola
$25
Kayla Sunman
$26
Hannah Davison
$15.60
Mia Wilson
$55
Fern Johnson
$26
Connor Eglinton
$100
Lou De Visser
$26
Charlotte Rule
$114.40
Rory James Stanway
The world is lucky you’re still here mate, love your work.
$26
Jean (deally) Maxwell
You’re amazing x
$26
Euginia
$26
Dhruv Sharma
Great cause Steve
$52
Andrew Burgess
$50
Ash
Great work!!
$50.96
Sanam
Im always so proud to call you a friend and proud of everything you accomplish and set out to do! Love you ?
$57.20
Ian Usher
Great cause, well done mate
$57.20
Madeleine Yue
$62.40
Joel
$26
Julie Bever
$26
Geoff Matters
$55
Ella Briggs
You’re inspiring, bud xx
$104
Peng Chutrakul
A great cause my friend, I wake up blind every morning until I find my contacts, wouldn't want anyone to have to go through that for the rest of their life.
$26
Jess Burns
You’re amazing Steve, what an absolute battle with such a positive attitude. So much love to you xxx
$26
Anonymous
$26
Rebecca Thring
$52
Vanwylder
Good on you mate
$26
Anonymous
$57.20
