Whether it is here for good or if it will run its course one day, social media has certainly made its mark. It has revolutionized the idea of communication, and carries with it both risks and benefits. In the legal arena, a lot of the focus is on the issues related to social media risks, whether it is posts discussing employment, disputes over intellectual property or consequences a photo could have on a divorce dispute.
There are of course the benefits of social media. In fact, it saved a young girl from going blind in at least one eye as a result of a rare disorder.
As a lot of moms do today, this girl’s mom posted pictures of her happy family. In one of these photos, friends and family noticed that the daughter’s eyes just didn’t look right in the photograph. One eye had that frustrating but typical redeye look associated with flash photography. It was the other eye that just didn’t look right and appeared to be glowing.
Even though it could have been a bit of a lighting trick, those that saw the photo told the mom that it might be a good idea to have it checked out. It was at Baptist Eye Clinic in Memphis, Tennessee, that the sight-saving discovery was made. A retina specialist determined that the young girl had Coats’ disease.
This rare condition can be treated if it is diagnosed early, as it was in this case. A major problem with this condition is that an early diagnosis isn’t easy to make due to the typical patient’s age. A child may not be able to communicate a problem, and untreated it could cause the loss of vision in one eye or even complete blindness. By then, the damage may be irreversible.
Whether an individual is born with the condition or develops it later in life, blindness is a condition that is covered by Supplemental Security Income. Those that need extra help to cover medical care and other costs should consult with an attorney to make the claims process run as smoothly as possible.
Source: Mail Online, “Three-year-old girl diagnosed with rare eye condition by picture her mother posted on Facebook,” April 2, 2014