by Satina Richardson

The story of Ashlee Sellers and Brian Elliott, UAB Eye Care’s optician supervisor, stands out as a powerful reminder of what happens when compassion, consistency and connection come together.

Ashlee, now 26, has been Elliott’s patient since she was a child. Diagnosed with mitochondrial disease and optic nerve atrophy, her medical journey has been long and complex but Elliott, affectionately known to Ashlee and her family as “Mister Brian,” has been along throughout her experience.

“Our relationship began when Ashlee first came to UAB Eye Care as a patient,” Elliott said. “In the early years, our connection was a typical provider-patient interaction. Over time, it naturally evolved into a friendship rooted in making sure Ashlee always felt seen, supported and included.”

That evolution began with a simple but meaningful gesture. Before Ashlee’s first appointment with Elliott, her mother, Amy Sellers, pulled him aside to share personal details that might help him connect with her daughter.

“She told me Ashlee loved the color pink, anything shiny and was a big fan of Hannah Montana,” Elliott said. “I made it a point to incorporate those things into our conversation. We found a pair of glasses with pink rhinestones—shiny, stylish and exactly her vibe. Her eyes lit up, and she was thrilled that we had found something that matched her personality so well.”

From that moment on, a bond began to form, one that would span nearly two decades, Elliott’s multiple places of employment and countless milestones.

During one moment when Elliott transitioned to a new role and another provider stepped in, Ashlee noticed the difference. Although the provider was kind and professional, Ashlee later said, ‘They were not Mister Brian,’” Amy said.

Ashlee’s journey has been filled with challenges, including frequent hospitalizations and the ongoing effects of low vision. But her family has always emphasized her awareness and agency, even when communication is difficult.

“She may not be able to make eye contact or even communicate at times, but she is aware,” Amy said. “She knows when people try too hard to get her to engage, or worse, ignore her entirely.”

That’s why Elliott’s approach stands out. “Ashlee says she feels comfortable when Mister Brian ‘tells me what he’s doing before getting in my bubble or reaching toward my face,’” Amy said. “He doesn’t try to match energy—he adapts to what’s needed.”

Elliott calls this approach “lifestyle dispensing,” a philosophy that goes beyond prescriptions to understand the whole person.

“Most people own more than one pair of shoes,” he said. “You wouldn’t wear flip-flops in a blizzard, and high heels aren’t ideal for deep-sea fishing. Eyewear should work the same way—designed and chosen to fit the demands of a person’s life.”

That philosophy has guided Elliott through six pairs of glasses with Ashlee, each one carefully selected to reflect her personality, preferences and needs. Their relationship has led to Elliott also caring for Ashlee’s family, including her father, sister and grandparents.

“He has a superpower of observation—fitting not just the face and prescription, but the personality,” Amy said. 

Music has also played a central role in Ashlee’s life. Her current favorite group, Big Ocean, is a K-pop trio whose members are hearing-impaired and incorporate sign language into their choreography. With help from her sister, Ashlee has even met them through video fan calls when she loves hearing the recording artists say her name and knowing they know she exists. They’ve helped her get through all kinds of days and moods.

In many ways, Elliott has become part of that same support system, a quiet but powerful presence who has helped Ashlee navigate not just her vision, but her identity.

“Helping her, seeing her smile and watching her light up during our visits has given me a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment,” Elliott said. “Ashlee is a very special young woman. She has a unique spirit and a quiet but powerful presence.”

Amy hopes Elliott knows just how much he means to their family. “I hope he knows what an extraordinary role he plays in Team Ashlee and in her life story,” she said.