The Blind Can See

January in the clinic was an enjoyable but very hectic month.  There was an ophthalmology group of volunteers from Germany here to operate on eyes and to do consults.  They were able to operate on 172 people and to see over 1000 people for a consult.  Thus they did an incredible amount of work!  The surgeon has been donating his talents and a month of his time every year for 35 years.  Really an incredible example of generosity by sharing his talents, time and money.  The number of people he was able to help over the years is truly a reward in itself.

The four volunteers were all such nice people.  They were so generous with their time and did such a great job of helping all the people they were able to.  The days were long but with such good humor.  Always smiles and openness to everyone.  It was such a privilege to work with them and despite so much work, very enjoyable.

An eye surgeon is able to help the people so much here.  I remember an elderly man who came in with very developed cataracts in both eyes.  He had not been able to see more than shadows for over ten years. He was lead into the clinic with a cane in one hand and his grandson pulling him by the other.  After surgery he returned a week later for his post-op check. He was alone and just walked in and sat down.  The eye surgeon asked if I recognized him.  I said I could not remember him and the surgeon smiled and said he was the blind man!  It was truly remarkable.

As the priest said during Mass, “That just like Jesus cured the blind, the eye surgeon was able to also cure the blind.”  This is so true.

It is such an honor to work with so many generous, wonderful people.  I am blessed to see the benefits of the surgeons in the people who can see again, hear again (the ENT teams) and to be able to work again after hernia surgery.

Ophthalmology Team with Phil Hawley (MDA - 2nd from L) and Amy (3rd from R)