In February of 2002, Melanie Fay was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma at only nine months old. After her diagnosis, for nearly three years, she underwent various treatments including the removal of her right eye to fight the cancer.

 

With the grace of God, Melanie went nine years cancer-free, adjusting well to having sight in only one eye. In the summer of 2013, life could not have been more blissful when the family welcomed another baby into the world. However, the happiness came to a screeching halt when Melanie was diagnosed with a secondary cancer, Osteosarcoma.

 

For two years, Melanie fought bravely against this aggressive form of the disease. In order to save her life, she underwent surgery to remove her left eye, now causing her to become completely blind. For her family, it was one of the hardest experiences they had to endure. Along with Melanie, their world went dark. Yet, through the darkness, their strength returned as Melanie’s fighting spirit triumphed as she adjusted to her new life. She learned to read Braille and how to walk with a cane. Along with her teachers, she learned how to become an independent, blind teenager.

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Melanie worked very hard to be accepted into the program of MIRA, USA. This program required Melanie to be independent in using her white cane to navigate around, and to be able to cross the street safely. After many hours of hard work practicing walking, crossing the street, carefully listening to traffic and feeling confident in doing so, she was accepted into the program. It was a very happy time for Melanie and her family.