Joan Taylor and Gerry Wright of Campbell River, B.C. had no idea what awaited them when Joan opened the Winter 2013 edition of our SightLines newsletter. On the back page was the opportunity to check off a huge bucket list item – walking the El Camino de Santiago in Spain.
“Here were two things I love dearly: Operation Eyesight and the El Camino. I thought, ‘we have to do this.’” explains Joan. “Timing wise it wasn’t all that great because it was less than two weeks after we get back from another holiday, but sometimes in life you just have to do it!”
Joan has been an Operation Eyesight supporter for about 11 years, and has a very personal connection to our mission. Her mother suffered from vision loss due to macular degeneration, so she knows how difficult it can be to manage without vision. Not only that, Joan manages a long-term care facility and works with people who struggle every day because they have lost their eyesight.
“My mom and I were extremely close,” explains Joan. “When she turned 80, my siblings and I decided to give five people the gift of sight from Operation Eyesight in mom’s honour.”
Joan continues: “She was so touched that she cried every time she told somebody about the gifts. She couldn’t get over how you could change someone’s life for such a small amount of money. I was hooked on Operation Eyesight after that.”
As for the El Camino Race for a Reason, it was a perfect solution for Joan and Gerry. They had been hoping to do it – especially after seeing Martin Sheen’s movie “The Way” – but the 30 to 45 days it takes to do the entire trail was daunting. Our 10-day trek was the answer!
To prepare, Joan and Gerry train every day. “It’s not easy! When you’re done work at 5 p.m. and it’s blowing and howling and pouring freezing rain, training is a challenge. But, so what?” laughs Joan. “It’s a great cause and we’re really happy to do it.”
They’ve also tapped their networks to raise the donation portion of the trip. And it’s paid off – they’ve already surpassed their fundraising goal more than two months before the deadline! Joan explains, “Nothing like working under pressure! It’s really touching to see the people who have stepped forward to support. I can’t tell you how deeply touched we are.”
Joan and Gerry’s El Camino adventure has just begun, so check back for updates. And they aren’t the only Operation Eyesight supporters getting ready for a Race for a Reason. Stay tuned for more inspirational stories of adventure and camaraderie in the coming weeks!
For a senior citizen, developing cataracts must be a shock, especially after a lifetime of relatively good vision. Think of the things you’d miss if you couldn’t see... family and friends, pets, reading, cooking, the beauties of nature and the bright blue sky.
Now, imagine you live in India or Africa, where many families are too poor to save for even a one-time surgery like a cataract operation. Even if family members are able to come up with the money, they may be unwilling to spend on surgery for elders, especially women. It’s a sad reality in developing countries: even though cataract occurs slightly more often in women, there is often gender inequality in those who actually receive surgery.
Luckily, this was not the case for 75-year old Meena Davi. Meena lives in the village of Goshal, in the high mountain ranges of Himachal Pradesh, India.
Over the past five years, she developed cataracts in both eyes, making her completely blind and unable to perform day-to-day activities.
“My life came to a standstill; it was all dark,” Meena explains. “I could not move about and was confined to a small space. I had to call someone from the family to accompany me, even to the bathroom.”
Though her family is poor, her son-in-law took time off work to accompany Meena to Maya Dass Shiv Dass Rotary Eye Hospital in hopes that the staff could help her.
Thanks to Operation Eyesight’s generous donors, Meena had cataract surgery on both eyes over the span of a couple of weeks. Now, she can see again!
“I am very thankful to everyone who contributed to bringing this hospital to such a remote and mountainous region. Thanks to the hospital, I have a second life,” Meena says.
“My family and I are grateful to the people of Canada, whose generosity helped bring us this hospital that is giving quality services in this area.”
Thank you to our donors for supporting Maya Dass Shiv Dass Rotary Eye Hospital and giving people like Meena a future free from avoidable blindness!
Gaddam Naresh was devastated. The 28-year-old resident of Hyderabad’s Fatehnagar slum had just learned that his marriage proposal had been rejected because of his poor vision. His sweetheart’s family didn’t think he could provide for her.
And he couldn’t really argue with them. Gaddam’s income from driving an auto rickshaw had dropped dramatically since he’d stopped driving at night – he couldn’t see very well and was afraid that he’d cause an accident.
After Gaddam’s father died, he became the chief breadwinner for his mother and two brothers. He felt that he didn’t have time to get his eyes checked because it would take time away from work.
When Vijaya Lakshmi, an Operation Eyesight community health worker, checked his eyes, she saw the problem immediately – cataract. She explained the condition and the surgery required to correct it, and recommended he attend the free screening clinic happening the next day.
Following Vijaya’s advice, Gaddam soon found himself on his way to Operation Eyesight partner LV Prasad’s secondary eye hospital with a member of our project team. He had surgery on Sept. 6, 2012 and regained 20/20 vision the very next day!
Gaddam is back driving his auto rickshaw at all hours of the day and night, earning additional money for his youngest brother’s education and to gain permission to marry his chosen bride. “Because of you, I have regained my confidence. I can see properly, support my family and will marry my sweetheart,” rejoices Gaddam.
Perhaps we can soon add “matchmaker” to the long list of Operation Eyesight donor accomplishments!
Isn’t that a great love story? Valentine’s Day is just a couple of weeks away, so check out our Gift Guide to give your sweetheart a life-changing gift today!
Living in remote and rural areas can isolate some elderly Africans, leaving them vulnerable to health issues. When a caring relative can help them get to medical care, it can make a world of difference in their lives.
I met Simon Metei and his 89-year old father, Chebochok, in the town of Eldoret, Kenya. Simon had taken time off from his job at a carnation plantation to bring his father from his home in Ziwa, a village 40 km north, to see the ophthalmologists at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Chebochok had cataract surgery on his left eye the day before I met him, and had just been discharged from the hospital. He didn’t speak any English, but he smiled shyly at me while Simon translated for his father.
“My father never went to school, but he can count to 6,000. This old man – Baba mzee – worked for many years, keeping accounts for a cattle rancher. In 2002, he had his right eye operated on for cataract. That same year, his left eye started to fail. My father can see much more clearly today.”
Simon told Chebochok about Operation Eyesight, and how his surgery was sponsored by generous donors. The elder Metei smiled and nodded to me. Simon translated, “My father appreciates the work that you do. He’s very happy to meet you; he knows you’ve helped him.”
We talked for awhile longer, and Simon ended up giving me an impromptu Swahili language lesson. He was delighted when I was able to respond correctly.
On his father’s behalf, Simon told me, “Asante sana!” [Thank you very much] and with his prompting, I was able to reply, “Karibu sana!” [You’re welcome!]
On behalf of Operation Eyesight and our donors, you are very welcome!
Want to learn a few more Swahili words?
• Jambo: Hello
• Rafiki: friend
• Sawa sawa: okay; that’s great
• Tadfahali: please
• Macho: eyes
• Kidogo: a little
• Picha: photo
• Chakula tamu: good food
• Mzee: elderly person
• Baba mzee: old man
• Mama mzee: old woman
• Kwaheri: goodbye
To all of our loyal donors, partners and friends:
