"I Have My Life Back" (Emma’s Story)
Migraine attacks and light sensitivity have been a part of Emma’s life since she was just six years old. She remembers begging her mom to massage her head every day after school and later having to wrap herself in blankets just to get away from the light and the pain. As it persisted over the years, she realized that light-sensitive migraine was taking over her life.
"I missed out on important events, I was distant to my family and friends as well," she said. "The pain was increasing, uncontrollably in fact. I could not go to school anymore…[and] year after year I was trying different medications that made me sick to my stomach."
Emma knew she had extreme light sensitivity, but it became hard to escape the fluorescent lights in school. Even when she began pursuing her GED and eventually her college degree online, the artificial screen light of the computer caused similar problems for her eyes and brain.
Until finally, she discovered TheraSpecs.
Why did she give our precision-tinted glasses a try? She was initially drawn to our company because of our story and passion for helping people, especially given that the earliest inspiration was our co-founder who deals with daily photophobia and chronic headaches. And when Emma received her own pair of indoor TheraSpecs (in the Hudson frame), the difference she experienced was immediate and incredible—which turned her into a believer.
"I felt alive for the first time in a while," she told us. "I was no longer hiding from light, and guess what...light is everywhere! So, the fact that I now get to go into stores, my work, and even my own kitchen without any pain, is a miracle."
TheraSpecs have further motivated Emma to finish her bachelor’s degree with a goal of eventually becoming a teacher. Where before she had been scared to take those steps for her career due to the harsh lighting of school classrooms, she now has confidence that she possesses the tools to keep her light-triggered migraine attacks at bay.
"I can take my life into my own hands, and press that ‘un-pause’ button. Thank you TheraSpecs for caring about the pain of strangers; because of you, I have my life back."
We hope you'll give our glasses a try and find the same relief as Emma!
Special note: Not only are we awe struck by Emma’s inspiring story, but we were especially thrilled when she shared an original poem describing the freedom she now has with our glasses. She has given us permission to share it here.
The Moment I Felt Free (Hiding behind Eyelids)
Silently squinting in the shadows,
I hide.
Constantly contemplating change,
I hide.
Seeking shelter in this war,
I hide.
I hide from the forever
beaming lights that race into my eyes-
only to leave them burning - and yearning
for relief.
The fluorescents sneakily seep beyond my corneas
and into my brain.
The pain
The pain
The pain
Nothing took the agony away,
the suffering insisted to stay.
Until today!
Rose colored glasses shield my eyes
from the roaring ultraviolet waves.
Before, my eyes were on a silver plate
being served to the light demons.
Now, my eyes are threat- free,
and taking no more pleas!
Standing in the sun, looking up,
I thrive.
Dancing in the spotlight,
I thrive.
Conquering the fifteen-year perpetual battle,
I thrive.
TheraSpecs Glasses for Light Management
Try our light-filtering glasses and stay protected against harsh light from screens, fluorescents, LEDs, unwanted blue light, bright sunlight, flashing lights, and more.
