A former college student who became known worldwide after experiencing a devastating drug-induced psychotic break has shared a surprising update about her life — including how she recently lost her job, and why she insists she has “no regrets.”
Kaylee Muthart, now in her mid-20s and living in Anderson, South Carolina, was only 20 years old when her life spiraled in 2018 after years of escalating substance use. What began as experimenting with marijuana in high school eventually progressed into a dependency on methamphetamine. As the addiction deepened, so did the risks — until one final, catastrophic episode permanently changed her life.
Before entering rehab at her mother’s urging, Kaylee sought what she intended to be one last high. Instead, she experienced an extreme psychotic state that caused her to lose awareness of reality. In that moment, fear, confusion, and hallucinations convinced her that she had to harm herself to “save the world.” A local pastor later found her outside a church, in severe distress, and emergency responders rushed to help.
The physical consequences of the episode were irreversible, leaving Kaylee permanently blind. But in the aftermath, she confronted her addiction, embraced treatment, and began reconstructing her life from the ground up. Recovery wasn’t a straight line, but she committed to maintaining sobriety, continuing her education, and finding ways to support herself.
One major step forward was securing a job washing dishes at a neighborhood restaurant — a position that helped her regain independence and purpose. Unfortunately, in a recent development, Kaylee revealed she was fired from that role. Yet, despite the setback, she maintains that she has “no regrets.”
In an interview with the Mirror, Kaylee explained the circumstances behind her dismissal. She admitted she had been quietly taking leftover food home from the restaurant — not for herself, but to feed a stray cat and her litter of kittens living nearby. When the restaurant owner discovered the situation, they asked her to stop. Kaylee, however, felt morally compelled to continue helping the animals, ultimately resulting in her termination.
Still, Kaylee says she stands by her choice.
“I feel strangely hopeful after losing my job,” she told reporters. “No one likes being fired, but I left with a clear conscience. I couldn’t walk past those kittens at night pretending I didn’t know they were hungry. I gave them the meal I received during my shift — I even ordered it specifically for them. I did what my heart told me was right.”
She acknowledged that losing her income made life more difficult, but she refuses to feel ashamed. “If I had ignored that responsibility, I wouldn’t be at peace with myself. So even now, every day I remind myself to stay positive.”
Aside from navigating unemployment, Kaylee has been adjusting to another change: wearing prosthetic eyes. She said she chose them partly to feel more comfortable in public and to avoid unwanted reactions to her appearance.
She also admitted that there are challenging moments, especially quiet nights when the emotional weight of her past resurfaces. But overall, she insists that her life today — even with its struggles — is happier and more grounded than the life she lived while addicted.
“I still have bad days,” she said. “But honestly? I’m more fulfilled now than I ever was before all of this. If I had to choose between my past and my present, I’d choose this life. I’d rather be blind than be controlled by drugs ever again.”