The Transplant

Lee has spent his entire life blind, ever since he was born. He has spent 20 years of his life, never once being able to see a single object, color, or person. By now in his life, he had already become accustomed to his life, overcoming most of his struggles with being blind and has found acceptance in himself. However, things were soon to change for Lee. 

The year is 2087, within the last 50 years, technological advances have been made further and faster than the last 100 years. Humanity has created, invented, and innovated numerous technological creations. One of them directly affecting Lee personally, medical experts and scientists from the company NanoTech, have developed and approved the use of robotic eyes. Nanotech became a new-age tech powerhouse in the latter half of the 21st century with multiple, “smart” devices that go beyond, especially having a microchip implanted in the head that will allow a human body link and interacts with almost any piece of technology in the world. Their brain chip becomes implanted in almost every human on the planet, essentially sending humanity to a new age of technology. These robotic eyes will act as identical to natural human eyes, but also providing additional features. For example, Lee will have the ability to access multiple linked software through his eyes and the neural link between his eyes and brain. Enabling a user to have a HUD within their eyes, that will let them perform many different tasks for work, leisure, safety, and information. 

After many meetings with Nanotech representatives and his own medical experts, he finally cleared to have the procedure have the robotic eyes. The decision was very difficult for Lee, not knowing how he would react to gaining sight or even if he would like his newfound sense. Emotionally the decision was much harder for Lee, his blindness somewhat became a comfortable spot for him, where he was able to commit more of himself to his other senses be somewhat more enhanced. Even so, the support from his family, friends, and medical experts were extremely helpful for Lee and his decision, and now he was ready for the change in life.

The procedure went smoothly and much quicker than Lee and his parents expected. It took a couple of days of healing before Lee would be able to take his bandages off and use his new eyes. Lee was actually quite scared, the anticipation has more than plenty than Lee was preparing for. By his request, Lee wanted the first thing he saw to be the city, especially at night, being in one of Nanotech’s skyscrapers was made the situation more in Lee’s favor. The nurses and assistants took Lee onto a wheelchair, then bring him to a balcony on level 71 of the tower, giving him a rundown of how he might react at first and it’ll take some time before his body would and could adapt to his eyes.

The nurse for one last time asked Lee if he was ready, with hesitation and pause, Lee was ready for the change. His hands were sweating, legs were jitter in anticipation, the nurse began to slowly unravel the white bandage around his head. Lee couldn’t stand the pressure he was feeling, he didn’t know why he was so scared but at the same time excited, The bandage came off, Lee’s eyes were still shut, the nurse told him in a soft and supportive tone that he could open his eyes whenever he felt ready, she walked back into the room and patiently watched and waited for Lee.  

One tear ran down his cheek, everything around him was slowed down. There were no words for what Lee was feeling, he froze in his chair, joy and confusion was overwhelming. He struggled to get up, trying to gather any bit and piece and part of his thoughts that he could. He looked at his hands and legs, see the hairs and creases on his palms. He then saw and touched his blue pants, amazed by what he was seeing, then to his white and blue dotted gown, again gazed in amazement. In his inspection of the colors, fabrics, and textures of his clothing, he noticed the colorful glow of the night lights from the city skyline and signs. Lee turned his head up, everything around was as if it was in slow motion, the colors and lights from the city were absolutely incredible. Lee could not contain his emotions, bursting in tears at the sight of the colorful signs, lights, skyscraper, and night sky. The amount of sensory overload he had experienced was unbelievable. It was beautiful, absolutely beautiful, he just looked, nothing else it was quite, he just stood and looked. Nothing but him witnessing the beauty of sight, the nightly breezy slightly blew passed him. He stood there for just staring, slowly regathering himself, his fright and overwhelm turned into joy and happiness.