Difficult times … Brittany Williams has lost sight in one eye after catching a flesh-eating bacteria. Picture: CBS Source: Supplied
A YOUNG mother has gone blind in one eye after catching a flesh-eating bacteria during a mud run — and doctors refuse to treat her.
Brittany Williams said she participated in the race two weeks ago and woke up the next day with limited vision.
The Texas resident said the bacteria destroyed her cornea, “completely melting off” her left eye.
“My eye started hurting, like maybe I’ve got mud or some debris in there,” Ms Williams told CBS DFW. “When I opened my eye, it was just like white. The whole room was white.”
Mum contracts flesh-eating bacteria
After a week in hospital, Ms Williams racked up a $US100,000 ($130,000) medical bill that she can’t afford to pay because she doesn’t have insurance.
She said doctors now refuse to treat her or offer a referral unless she gets medical cover.
“I’ve had health insurance before and I never used it. I never went to the doctor and I just spent lots of money for nothing. So I didn’t see the point at the time when we couldn’t afford it,” Ms Williams, who has two jobs, said.
“You don’t think you’re going to go to the doctor and someone’s gonna say you owe $US3000 for eye drops.”
Tragic loss … Brittany Williams is blind in her left eye. Picture: CBS Source: Supplied
Tough run … Brittany Williams with her fiance Rob at the mud run. Picture: CBS Source: Supplied
Her family is raising money through GoFundMe to cover her medical expenses.
Ms Williams remains optimistic despite her predicament.
“Even though people go through horrible things, I make the best of it, because there’s no point in sitting and sulking, because it’s just going to make the rest of my days miserable,” she said.
Flesh-eating bacteria (necrotising fasciitis) is a rare bacterial skin infection that spreads quickly and can destroy skin, fat and tissue around muscles.
Mother … Brittany Williams works two jobs to support her daughter. Picture: GoFundMe Source: Supplied
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Originally published as Flesh-eating bacteria ‘melts’ mum’s eye