My name is Elena (also known as Elli 😉 and I was born in 1994.
When I was six years old, I was diagnosed with retinoblastoma in my right eye during a normal check-up at the ophthalmologist.
Shortly afterwards, the eye was removed, followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
As I was relatively old at the time, I can still remember them well, but at the age of six I didn’t quite understand what was happening to me.

Seeing with just one eye was very unusual for me at first.
For example, I had the feeling that my nose was always in the way and I found it difficult to estimate distances.
To train this, I practiced catching balls with my mother, for example.
However, I got used to the change very quickly and today I no longer have any problems with it.

Of course, I needed a bit more practice for sports like badminton, but in the end I was able to do all the sports I wanted to do and my eye didn’t stop me.
I think it taught me that not everything comes to you in life and that you have to keep at it to achieve things.
This is a very helpful quality.
My glass eye didn’t stop me from doing anything.
I was able to do all my hobbies like any other child.
For example, I played soccer for many years, did judo and played the piano.

As I was diagnosed with retinoblastoma in first grade, I missed a lot of school, but at the same time my classmates were informed directly why I couldn’t come to school.
When I finally came back, everyone was very interested.
So it was clear to me right from the start that having a glass eye must be something very special.
I had no problem answering questions and I wasn’t afraid to take my eye out to present it live.
This was a bit strange for the teachers, of course, but an absolute highlight for my classmates.

During puberty, I sometimes didn’t like the attention I got for my eyes, because who wants to be different during puberty?
But I think that every pubescent has something to criticize about their body and in retrospect I think that at least I had something tangible and didn’t have to criticize any fantasies.

I have now graduated from high school and am studying medicine.
I lead a normal student life and enjoy partying and traveling.
In my opinion, I would probably never have achieved the stamina I have now without the disease and it has taught me to really appreciate and enjoy life.

Elena
Encourager