We've
Moved!
A   A   A

After speaking with many patients, several requested that I set up a place where they could tell their stories. I have set aside this area so that their stories, in their own words would be relayed to the world. The following are the patients' unedited comments. In addition, several of these patients have included their email address so that should you have questions/concerns/etc. and would like to get their perspectives and experiences, you can send these requests directly to them. They truly understand what it is like to be in a similar position as yourself and are eager to help in any way they can. I hope that you find this patient perspectives area useful. 

 
Patient Perspectives Art

Jan-Harm Steenkamp - Part 2
(14 Years Old)

Keratoconus (Very Advanced)

Dear Dr. Maller,
This is my small way of saying thank you...........for something too big to really describe! Since the day that I've first experienced these amazing lenses that enabled me to actually see what I was doing and created some of the best memories of my life, I've been thinking of ways to thank the persons that made this all possible!

I'm almost sure I've told you all about the way my life was before I met you... But it would be my pleasure to remind you yet again. I think the most appropriate words would be, very blurry and very irritated! I was usually not able to complete a day without my eyes being totaly red and burning!!! The normal lenses were almost unbearable at some times, since these hard-lenses where fitted by the best optometrist in his field (in my opinion) and gave me almost perfect vision I was forced to wear them or life would simply just pass me by. I often thought if there was any chance of relief for the daily ''suffering'' I experienced. Just my luck, my mother found an article about your ''miracles'', while browsing the internet for a solution to my eye-condition. (I didn't know this would change my life forever!)

I don't think some people understand what these lenses mean to me. I'm now able to perform a lot more than I could a few years ago:

-experiencing moments
-rugby (because these lenses don't fall out as easily)
-swimming
-see all day long
-being outdoors
and a lot more.....................................

Normally people would think that traveling half way around the world alone to reach a destination that's mostly unknown is totally crazy... But if you know that this is truly the only place where you can find the most precious gift(for me), the gift that transforms your lifestyle and makes it worth living 100 percent! It's worth it 100 times over!!!!

Jan-Harm Steenkamp

This trip has once again shown me that there are doctors, total strangers, close friends also devoted and loving family members (like my whole family, especially my mother) that would go out of their way to help anybody just because they can! I love and thank you all so much... What a privilege indeed!

Best Regards,
Jan-Harm

Lukas Jan-Harm Steenkamp
South Africa