A mum who went blind when a planned op was postponed is hoping to see her family at Christmas after her daughter started fundraising for private surgery.
Kathryn Nicoll, 64, from West Lothian, Scotland, woke up two weeks ago and was terrified to find she was blind after developing cataracts.
Her vision began to fail in February and she was waiting for an operation but in the past ten months, the cataracts have advanced 'surprisingly' quickly.
In November, the mum-of-two, from Whitburn, was told the NHS op has been postponed for 24 months and the prospect of being unable to see has left her devastated.
The gran-of-three cries most days as she has lost her independence and is unable to see her grandchildren on Facetime.
Her husband Kenneth, 63, was made redundant during the pandemic and faces becoming her full time carer while the family wait for an operation.
Daughter Laura Grant, 35, began fundraising for an operation which could cost £5,000 privately in the hopes it could happen before Christmas - and nearly £1,000 has been raised.
Laura, who works as a bus driver, said: "If we can raise enough money mum could have her sight back by Christmas.
"That would be the best thing that could ever happen, it would be a Christmas miracle.
"She is so low and spends a lot of the time just crying because she feels like she is completely worthless and a waste of space.
"We try but there is not much we can do to lift her spirit.
"We were first told it would be a six-month wait, then it went up to 12-months and now it's up to 24 months, it feels hopeless."
Grandchildren Grace 14, Luis, 11, Kenneth, ten, are hating seeing their gran so upset.
Laura added "All three grandchildren are used to speaking to granny in the morning and throughout the day.
"My daughter is incredibly stressed because granny can't see and Kenny is upset because he can't wave or pull faces like usual.
"My eldest Luis keeps his emotions to himself but has stopped phoning his granny because he thinks it will upset her too much.
"We never ask for anything but if it could help my mum see again it's worth it, she needs my help.
"My mum cannot believe that people have donated, she is overwhelmed, she told me she feels awestruck."
To help Kathryn see again, you can donate here.
