Navan man hoping revolutionary new technology will allow him to see

Complications from diabetes led to kidney failure and loss of sight but pioneering new device could help restore Michael’s vision

Michael Allen's world fell apart about four years ago when complications from diabetes caused him to lose his sight and suffer kidney failure.

The 31-year-old had been a fun loving football and motorbike enthusiast, but is now unable to enjoy his hobbies and is suffering from depression.

As well as being blind, Michael has to undergo dialysis in Dublin three times a week and is on a waiting list for a kidney and pancreatic transplant.

His family however are determined to help him and when they heard of a revolutionary new device pioneered in the US which would allow him to see again, they decided to do everything in their power to acquire one for him.

“It is terrible to see him now, he is suffering from depression and cannot get out and about, live a normal life and enjoy himself,” says his sister, Margaret.

“We want to see his quality of life improve.”

His family are raising funds for a BrainPort - a small non-surgical device that translates information from a digital video camera to the user's tongue, using gentle electrical stimulation.

With training, totally blind users learn to interpret the images on their tongue as information about the scene in front of them. The benefits include increased independence, improved safety and mobility, object recognition and the ability to partake in hobbies again.

Past users have used the device to read and even recognize the holds while rock climbing.

“We need to raise 15,000 for the device and the training,” Margaret explains.

“The National Council for the Blind will help with the training.”

At the time of going to press, almost half of that had been raised.

Margaret recalls that Michael, who lives in Troytown Heights was diagnosed with Type One diabetes when he was just three years old.

“He spent six weeks in hospital. Afterwards he had to have daily injections and monitoring of his blood sugars.”

It was a tough time for his parents and Kathleen and Liam and his siblings.

“It was hard to keep his blood sugar stable and he was in and out of hospital a lot Margaret recalls.

Despite that Michael enjoyed his schooldays in St Oliver’s and St Ultan’s, made lots of friends and developed a passion for motorbikes and football.

“He played minor football for Simonstown and was a huge fan of the Meath team.

“He loved motorbikes and travelled around the country to races – the North West, Skerries and Kells and had his photograph taken with the Dunlops.

“He was a very outgoing person, but in 2017 his health began to deteriorate because of complications from the diabetes.

“His kidneys started to fail and by November 2017 he needed dialysis three days a week.

“He has to travel to the Mater Hospital for dialysis and he is exhausted after it.

“He is now on a waiting list for a transplant for both a kidney and a pancreas.”

Margaret explains that is he receives a pancreas, he will no longer be a diabetic or need insulin.

“As well as going for dialysis, he also has to go to St Vincent's Hospital regularly as that is where he would have a transplant,” Margaret says.

Three years ago Michael lost his eyesight and since then he has had numerous surgeries to try to restore his sight.

“Nothing has worked and it has been very stressful. He goes into surgery hoping his sight will come back only to wake up and find he still cannot see.

“The loss of his sight has really caused depression. The Brain Port Device has to be bought in America.

“We feel if Michael could get it, he would have some vision back and it would mean the world to him, giving him a future to look forward to.”

Anyone wishing to donate to his GoFundMe page should click here.