JOYS OF MOTHERHOOD
This article was originally written and posted on the web on Mothers Day May 13, 2012, since then the article has been revisited more than twice due to ongoing research in leading cause of purtscher retinopathy disease.
After reading Kristin Bull's article, Editor of Rochester-Rochester HillsPatch, and some research online about Purtscher's disease, I came to understand more and why my friend's daughter Keisha went blind after giving birth to a beautiful baby boy I called Coddy.
Purtscher retinopathy disease is a sudden loss of vision from a loss of blood flow to the retina. There are three common causes: High blood pressure, trauma (including traumatic chirldbirth) and pancreatitis.
Keisha lost her vision while giving birth to Coddy. For more than 10 minutes after delivery Keisha was unresponsive from the trauma of the delivery, as she could not see her new born baby. "I could see only shadows and shapes" she said to her mother. Everyone panicked in the delivery room including docs / nurses and hospital support staff.
A retinal specialist diagnosed Keisha's vision loss as Purtscher retinopathy disease, a sudden loss of vision from a loss of blood flow to the retina---A very rare disease he said. So far no studies or statistics exist to measure just how many people are affected by it and there is no treatment. However, with the help of friends, loved ones and family members, Keisha was able to provide minimal care for her child to this day. Unbelievable !
Dr. Fenny Braide, is a Psychotherapist and Director of Holistic care services. He lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
