Cecilia Foerster
In the summer of 2017, one ordinary day at my shop, I noticed a blind spot in the top peripheral vision of my left eye. Concerned, I scheduled an appointment with my optometrist, leading to a startling diagnosis of a detached retina…
Hello! I’m Cecilia Foerster, a 29-year-old from Gilbert, Arizona. My story began with a significantly rough start as a micro-preemie, born at one pound and ten ounces, later dropping to one pound and six ounces. Coming into the world in the 24th week, my chances of survival were extremely slim. Unfortunately, due to this, my eyes didn’t have the opportunity to fully develop, leading to vision loss challenges in my adulthood.
At 24 weeks, my eyelids remained fused shut, and the intricate anatomy of my eyes had not fully developed. Fetal eyes typically achieve complete development around the 34th week of gestation, allowing them to open and close, pupils to shrink and expand, and the development of enough rods and cones to perceive the first color, red.
Growing up in Arizona, my life was quite typical. Despite my parents’ separation when I was young, I cherished the back-and-forth between their two homes, even with our frequent moves to various cities around the valley.
Love, laughter, friends, and family defined my early years. I started my education in a small private Christian school, attending from preschool to 7th grade. Later, I transitioned to my first public school, completing my 8th-grade education and ultimately achieving my high school graduation in another public school setting.
I got my first pair of glasses in 5th grade—small, hideous purple frames that, given the era (early 00s) and my age, didn’t concern me much about fashion. It wasn’t until 8th grade that I realized just how much I disliked my glasses and how they looked on my face, prompting a switch to contact lenses, which became my eyewear choice throughout the remainder of my school life.
In 2013, I graduated high school and swiftly enrolled in cosmetology school, embarking on a new chapter and the commencement of my career journey. Within a year, I fulfilled all quotas and completed the 1,600 hours necessary for cosmetology program graduation. I aced my State Board Exams a few months later, securing my cosmetology license.
Shortly after that, I began my professional journey at my first salon. That first year of my professional salon experience was ultimately the deciding factor in my transition into the world of barbering.
Barbering quickly became my passion, and I excelled in all facets of the trade throughout my time in the industry. I devoted myself to continuous education, attending every available class to enhance my craft daily.
I mastered the art of straight razor shaving and embraced the old-school traditions and styles, from crafting the perfect pompadour to creating a dapper, sophisticated look reminiscent of the 1920s.
I also gained recognition as a sought-after barber and stylist for undercut designs, skillfully carving intricate patterns into closely cropped hair using hair trimmers and refining the look with a straight razor. This technique, often applied to women with longer hair, reveals hidden, intricate designs when the hair is tied up, adding a touch of surprise and uniqueness to their style.
As I got comfortable and settled into my passion and dream of becoming a barber, I started to notice very sudden but slight changes within my vision.
In the summer of 2017, one ordinary day at the shop, I noticed a blind spot in the top peripheral vision of my left eye.
Concerned, I scheduled an appointment with my optometrist, leading to a startling diagnosis of a detached retina.
Urgently referred to Southwestern Eye Center, I underwent a cryopexy to stabilize the retina, but the struggle persisted, culminating in the excruciatingly painful Scleral Buckle surgery. Despite several attempts over the course of about two years, I lost all vision in that eye from scar tissue buildup and just bad luck.
Undeterred, I pursued my passion for barbering while adapting to having a blind eye for about a year.
Challenges persisted when my remaining eye developed a tear in the retina in late 2019, leading to another risky Scleral Buckle surgery. After complications, laser surgery was performed a couple of months later, creating a barrier to prevent further vitreous fluid entry.
Stability followed, but in February 2023, my vision unexpectedly deteriorated again due to cerebrospinal fluid leakage. This brought new symptoms like flashing and visual distortion to my central vision, adding to the constant flashes, auras, and loss of peripherals already experienced in the entire left side of my right eye.
Throughout this journey, I’ve committed myself to art, awareness, and promoting positivity and advocacy. I’ve had so many wonderful experiences and opportunities and have met the most amazing individuals since losing my vision, and I wouldn’t change anything.
I have had multiple interviews and publications on both television/news outlets and in the local media for my art and vision loss journey!
Coping with the challenges posed by my vision loss and its impact on my mental health hasn’t been easy. However, with a strong support system, the skills acquired through therapy, and the ability to apply them when needed, I can confidently say these resources have truly been lifesavers.
Despite my challenges, my ultimate goal is to actively contribute to creating a more inclusive world for the visually impaired and disabled communities.
In less than a decade, I’ve experienced a significant loss of eyesight, yet in hindsight, this journey has enriched my life in ways I never anticipated. I’ve become a proud member of an incredible community we affectionately refer to ourselves as “The One-Eyed Gang,” and the presence of these beautiful souls in my life fills me with immense gratitude.
Being part of a supportive community is invaluable, especially for those struggling with vision loss or any other challenge. The bonds formed within such groups provide understanding and empathy and a shared strength that propels us forward. I can’t emphasize enough the importance of finding a community, whether facing vision loss or any other difficulty—it truly makes a profound difference in navigating life’s complexities.
Don’t be shy; please reach out. There are people, such as myself and others in the community, who are beyond willing to help you navigate this difficult journey. You don’t have to go through it alone.
Social Media and Business
Instagram: @dearcecilianicole (personal)
@ceciliafoersterart (business)
Facebook: @ceciliafoersterart
Website: ceciliafoersterart.com
