Raheleh’s Story
Dear reader,
I am Raheleh Amiri, an Iranian woman and a psychologist from Kerman, Iran. During the "Woman, Life, Freedom" uprisings, like many other Iranians, I participated in daily street demonstrations. Many, including children, got arrested, injured, shot, and even killed during these demonstrations. On November 15th, 2022, my entire life changed. During a demonstration, I was shot with a close-range bullet, causing blindness in my right eye. I underwent two surgeries afterward, leaving me nearly blind—only able to perceive light and shadow. However, my treatment team recommended corneal transplant to restore partial vision in my right eye.
Me and my family received relentless threats from the government forces. My license was revoked; I was expelled from my graduate school; and it became impossible for me to complete my medical treatment over there. After months of scrutiny and significant pressure from the government, I had to leave my homeland in April 2023. With the assistance of human rights activists, I obtained a medical visa to relocate to Italy for treatment. However, on my way to Italy, I was delayed in Turkey for two months without medical attention, which substantially worsened the condition of my eye.
During my stay in Italy, the providers who examined me believed there was absolutely no hope to save my vision. Hearing my only option was ocular prosthesis with eventual Enucleation (aka, prosthetic eye placement and eye removal surgery) was unbelievably heart breaking. Meanwhile, multiple ophthalmologists in Iran, Spain, and the US meticulously reviewed all my medical records. They unanimously and strongly believed, with urgent and immediate treatment, my eye has a chance. The news that there was still hope to restore vision to my eye, even partial, made me more determined to pursue treatment. Numerous human rights activists, friends, and physicians—specifically, an awesome Iranian American surgeon in the US—immensely worked day and night so I could receive an admission letter from the prestigious Wills Eye Institute and obtain the US medical visa. Hopeful for my treatment, I moved to the US in late September.
My most recent corneal and retinal exams in the US appear to be still promising only if I receive corneal transplant and surgeries on my retina immediately. I humbly ask for your help to continue my journey to save my eye. The estimated costs for my surgeries, post-op care and rehabilitation, medications, and living expenses during the course of my treatment in the US are exceeding $100,000. Your contribution will make a life-sustaining difference to me. I extend my heartfelt gratitude in advance for your support during this challenging journey. Thank you for being a source of hope and resilience.
With love and appreciation to all of you,
