Life-Changing Sight

Today our team rallied, despite a bit of exhaustion and sickness, to finish our first week at clinic very strong. We saw the greatest number of patients today of any day this week. We continued to work together as a team and were able to share in many joyous moments together!

Most of our patients today came from Santa Cruz del Quiche, the town that we have called home for the last week. One woman came in with a 2 year-old girl named Irma. We learned that both of Irma's parents had died and the woman who brought her was her aunt. One of our team members, Carol from Illinios noticed that her eyes were both turned in. After examination by Dr. Kirk, Dr. Carol and Dr. Nasim, it was determined that she was very hyperopic and desperately need vision correction. We were able to make her a pair of custom Chabellas and when we fit them on her, her eyes straightened out completely. Because of our OneSight Clinic, Irma's vision was saved. Intervention at the age of 2 can be the difference between corrected vision or low vision for life. Because the Chabellas are too large for her face, Carol plans to make a pair of infant frames with cable temples and a pair of prescription sunglasses donated by our photographer, Mark. What a great collaboration of our team!

Near the end of the day, a young man came in with his father to our clinic. Emilio was 22 years old and showed symptoms of palsey. After examination, Dr. Dave and Dr. Kirk determined that he had very poor sight. One of Dr. Dave's patient's had donated a pair of glasses that were a perfect match for Emilio. Prior to receiving the glasses, Emilio had a very flat affect. As soon as the glasses were placed on his face, a giant smile broke on this face and he began laughing with joy! He could see for the first time in his entire life! For someone who has little ability to control his movements, difficulty seeing creates even more struggles. As he was leaving the clinic, Emilo stopped and started pointing to the writing on the opposite wall. He and his dad were overjoyed that he could now see! Through this experience, we were onge again reminded what a blessing it is to participate in a OneSight Clinic. Below is Dr. Dave with Emilio in his new glasses. Words cannot express the emotion brought forth today in the clinic!

We look forward to a fresh start at the clinic on Monday after a weekend of some R&R. Buenas noches from Guatemala.