Matilda - corneal recipient, VIC

corneal recipient Matilda smiling at camera
“I’ve been able to have children, have success in my life, and provide for my family. Prior to my corneal transplants, that was once only a dream for me,” Matilda said.    

A rare diagnosis of Reis-Bücklers dystrophy saw Matilda grapple with her sight until she was declared legally blind as a young adult.    

After three corneal transplants over the last 30 years, the gift of sight, and what it has brought to her life, is not lost on her.      

Thanks to cornea donors, Matilda has been able to self-publish her own book of poetry, paint seascapes, and take up photography.      

“I can’t sit around and do nothing with my life, I need to do things and make things happen. I need to stop and look at beautiful things, visit art galleries, dabble in painting. I do what I can to honour the precious gift that I’ve received,” she said.    

Matilda said her life has been greatly impacted by her three donors’ “amazing gifts”. She revels in being present in the beauty of her environment, taking her time to admire a sunset, or a flower.     

“I’ve been able to have children, have success in my life, and provide for my family. Prior to my corneal transplants, that was once only a dream for me,” Matilda said.    

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It doesn’t matter how old you are, your medical history, your lifestyle, what country you’re from or how healthy you are — you can still register as an organ and tissue donor.

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