Dear Mr. Kolberg:

My name is Paula Hutson and I live in Texas.  My story is like so many of those listed on your patient story pages.  Horses are my passion and I lost my eye due to a horse related accident in May of 2004.  It has been devastating to me and I sometimes wonder if it was just an accident, or my fate? 

I feel so grateful for being alive, but at the same time I have many discouraging moments.  It has been difficult to say the least.  I’m able to laugh, but think I do so as to not cry.  My friends say I am the same person inside, but I don’t feel that way. 

When I look in a mirror, my eye doesn't look right to me.  I seem to find negative things in its appearance.  My biggest fear is I think people are looking at my artificial eye and not me.  I can’t begin to explain the whirlwind of emotions I been going through.  I am attempting to keep promising thoughts in my head, but as a woman I feel I will never be at my best. 

I’ve been told it will take time for my recovery, and I am aware there are others less fortunate than me.  However, I am living this tragedy and nothing seems bigger to me at this time in my life. 

I want to thank for allowing me to share my story, especially with the other women included in your story page. 

I can say now that I know exactly how you ladies feel and I wish you all the best.  I would appreciate women writing to me to share how they recovered from their eye loss. 

You’re all in my thoughts, 

Paula Hutson

 

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