Woman Who Lost Her Sight During Drug-Induced Psychotic Episode Says She Has “No Regrets” After Losing Her Job

A Story That Drew Worldwide Attention

A woman whose life changed dramatically after a severe drug-induced psychotic episode has opened up about another difficult chapter in her recovery journey. Years after surviving the incident that permanently left her blind, Kaylee Muthart says she remains at peace with her choices despite recently losing her job.

Muthart, from Anderson, South Carolina, first gained widespread public attention after details emerged about the traumatic episode she experienced in 2018 while under the influence of methamphetamine.

At the time, she was only 20 years old and struggling with escalating substance abuse that had begun years earlier. What started with marijuana use during high school eventually progressed into methamphetamine use, including smoking and later injecting the drug.

The situation ultimately led to a devastating psychotic break that permanently altered the course of her life.

The Events Leading to the Psychotic Episode

According to Muthart, her drug use intensified over time as addiction increasingly took control of her daily life. Family members reportedly became deeply concerned about her health and behavior as the addiction worsened.

Eventually, her mother convinced her to seek rehabilitation treatment in an effort to help her become sober and regain stability.

Before entering treatment, however, Muthart decided to use methamphetamine one final time. That decision led to the severe psychotic episode that would leave her permanently blind.

During the episode, she experienced terrifying delusions and became convinced that she needed to sacrifice something important in order to save the world.

“I remember thinking that someone had to sacrifice something important to right the world, and that person was me,” she said.

The hallucinations and paranoia intensified rapidly, leaving her unable to distinguish reality from the distorted thoughts created by the drugs.

“I got on my hands and knees, pounding the ground and praying, ‘Why me? Why do I have to do this?’”

The Traumatic Incident That Changed Her Life Forever

In the middle of the psychotic episode, Muthart believed that tearing out her eyes was necessary to prevent harm from coming to others.

She later described the horrifying moment in detail, explaining the physical struggle involved and the terrifying mental state she was experiencing at the time.

“I pushed my thumb, pointer, and middle finger into each eye. I gripped each eyeball, twisted, and pulled until each eye popped out of the socket — it felt like a massive struggle, the hardest thing I ever had to do.”

The injuries left her permanently blind.

She recalled being discovered by a church pastor while screaming, “I want to see the light.”

“He later said, when he found me, that I was holding my eyeballs in my hands. I had squished them, although they were somehow still attached to my head,” Muthart explained.

The shocking incident quickly became widely discussed because of its severity and the devastating consequences linked to methamphetamine addiction and drug-induced psychosis.

Life After Addiction and Blindness

Despite the life-altering injuries, Muthart eventually managed to overcome her drug addiction and begin rebuilding her life.

Recovery involved adapting to permanent blindness while also learning how to regain independence and create stability after years of addiction and trauma.

Part of that process included continuing her education and finding employment that would allow her to support herself financially.

She later found work washing dishes at a local restaurant while balancing other responsibilities connected to her recovery and personal development.

For Muthart, the job represented more than just income. It became part of her effort to establish structure, responsibility, and a sense of purpose following years of personal struggle.

The Incident That Led to Her Dismissal

Recently, however, Muthart revealed that she lost the restaurant position under unusual circumstances involving a stray cat and several kittens.

According to her account, she began secretly taking food from the restaurant kitchen in order to feed the animals because she felt unable to ignore their condition.

The restaurant owner reportedly confronted her about the situation and instructed her to stop removing food from the business.

When she continued doing so, she was eventually dismissed from her job.

Although losing employment created additional financial difficulties, Muthart said she does not regret the decision that led to her firing.

“I am feeling positive after the loss of my last job,” Kaylee told the Mirror.

“Being fired never feels good, but I could walk away, knowing that I did what I believed in my heart was right.”

Why She Refused to Stop Feeding the Animals

Muthart explained that she became emotionally attached to the cat and kittens and felt personally responsible for helping them.

She said she regularly used the meal provided during her work shift specifically to feed the animals waiting outside.

“I could not in good conscience leave every night, knowing that there was a kitty right there waiting to be fed so I gave it my meal that I would get for my shift – and ordered it especially for the kitty.”

Even though the situation ultimately cost her employment, she maintained that ignoring the animals would have weighed more heavily on her conscience than losing the job itself.

“I would not have been able to walk away from that knowing that I didn’t do what I was convinced in my heart to do.”

Her comments reflected a broader perspective she now carries regarding life decisions and personal responsibility after surviving addiction and trauma.

“So as a result, I am positive every day of my life because I am peaceful, knowing that I live without regretting my choice.”

Adjusting to Life With Prosthetic Eyes

Outside of the challenges connected to employment and recovery, Muthart has also spoken openly about adjusting to life after blindness.

She revealed that she now wears prosthetic eyeballs, explaining that the decision helped her feel more comfortable socially and allowed her to present herself in a way that felt more normal in public settings.

The physical and emotional adjustment has not always been easy. Muthart admitted there are still difficult nights where frustration and sadness become overwhelming, especially when she struggles to sleep.

“Of course there are times when I get really upset about my situation, particularly on nights when I can’t fall asleep,” said Muthart.

At the same time, she believes her current life, despite blindness, is healthier and more stable than the life she experienced while trapped in addiction.

“But truthfully, I’m happier now than I was before all this happened. I’d rather be blind than dependent on drugs.”

A Life Rebuilt After Tragedy

Muthart’s story continues to draw attention because it combines devastating loss with recovery, accountability, and resilience.

The psychotic episode that permanently changed her life remains a stark example of the dangers associated with methamphetamine abuse and severe addiction. Yet her journey afterward has focused on sobriety, rebuilding independence, and finding meaning despite extraordinary circumstances.

Although she recently experienced another setback after losing her job, she says she remains focused on living according to her values and moving forward without regret.

Her experience reflects the long and often difficult path many people face after addiction, where recovery involves not only overcoming substance abuse but also rebuilding identity, stability, and hope after trauma.