THE EYES HAVE IT
LITTLE Scarlett Godden can see properly for the first time in her life – courtesy of the kindness of strangers. Thousands of dollars were raised for Scarlett, 6, to have surgery on a ‘turned’ eye after the Gold Coast Bulletin featured her plight.
LITTLE Scarlett Godden has finally got her happy ending – and she loves what it looks like.
“The first time she opened her eyes after surgery, her surgeon was blown away by how good they were,” said Nikita Godden, the Bonogin mum forced to launch a public campaign to fund her daughter’s crucial eye surgery in the wake of a public health bungle.
“So many strangers invested in our daughter and we just want them to know their investment paid off. It’s been the absolute best outcome.
“We often have moments where we think ‘This wasn’t a dream, it really happened’ … the whole experience has just been overwhelming.”
It was a different story in August when the Bulletin revealed Scarlett, who was born with esotropia (“turned eyes”), had waited two years for an appointment at Brisbane’s Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital only to learn she had never been placed on a waiting list.
After being told by a private specialist she risked permanent damage without surgery, her parents launched a crowdfunding campaign and passed their $4500 target within hours of our story.
That generosity allowed Scarlett to have private surgery and the six-year-old can now see clearly for the first time in her life.
“The results are incredible,” Nikita said. “She’s essentially gone from being vision impaired to having perfect sight. She doesn’t need glasses after wearing them for four years.
“Thank you doesn’t hold enough weight to convey our gratitude. The Gold Coast community has changed her life.”