May 17, 2012

Once in a lifetime moments

By lisab

My favorite patient of the day was a young man named Matarr. He is a junior in high school and very much enjoys school and learning but seeing has been very difficult for him. He loves to study and we shared our love of reading. We picked out a really great Oakley frame that will be very durable and serve him hopefully for many years. His happiness at the moment he was able to pick out his glasses and realize that soon he would be able to see comfortably and be able to truly relax and enjoy his reading time was today's warm fuzzy moment for myself, Edith and Claire.

 

Fatoumatte is a 5 year old girl who touched a lot of hearts today. She came to clinic with her mother today wearing a very beautiful kaftan that looked like a very tiny cream colored wedding dress. She was incredibly shy and quiet and had a difficult time with doing the auto refractor. We were told that about a year ago she had yellow fever and that since then she had been complaining of not being able to see and alot of discomfort with her eyes. Her mother was there for an exam as well and so Alix asked her Mom if she could go first so that she could see that it would not hurt her thinking that she was afraid. Mom explained that she was not afraid but that she was unable to see. This was very powerful for Alix as she has daughters and the realization that this young girl is going to experience a life changing moment when she is able to see and enjoy being a little girl again and OneSight did this for her. 

 

During the afternoon of our second day of clinic here in The Gambia the team was able to enjoy a celebration that included the Governer as well as the Minister of Health. There was a 'band' that included the most unusual tone of the clapping of the hands it created a very unique noise, an empty plastic gas can that was being beat upon using a stick and a whistle. There were local women dressed in brilliant colors dancing. It was a fantastic display of color and the energy was amazing. This was definitely a once in a lifetime moment that our OneSight leaders made absolutely sure we took a moment to enjoy. 

 

Deuxieme journee de clinique avec notre fabuleuse equipe en Gambie! Aujourd'hui, j'etais assignee a la station de la livraison et j'ai fait la rencontre de plusieurs personnes exceptionnelles. Bien qu'ayant participe a plusieurs mission avec OneSight, c'est la 1ere fois que nous ne donnons pas des lunettes recyclees, mais bien de nouvelles lunettes en parfaite condition faites sur mesure pour chaque patient. Une toute nouvelle experience pour notre equipe et une nouvelle facon de penser la clinique: qualite au lieu de quantite. Bravo OneSight! Nous nous assurons alors que les patients seront les heureux proprietaires de lunettes faites avec leur prescription au laboratoire ici en Gambie. Nous avons vu environ 130 patients en tout et chacun a leur maniere ont contribue au succes de la journee! Une journee haute en couleurs, en danse et en musique! Un grand pas vers la clinique visuelle permanente en Gambie et une experience incroyable!

Edith

Gambian Celebration
Edith and Fatoumatte picking out her new glasses

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3 Comments

  1. B. worrall says:

    Sounds like team Gambia is doing a great job.
    Good job reporting lisab & Edith

    Posted on Thu May 17, 2012 7:50 am EST

  2. Michael David Archuleta says:

    Greetings from Colorado!!! Lisa and Dr K you are missed! We can’t wait to hear about this amazing trip!

    Posted on Thu May 17, 2012 9:18 am EST

  3. Sébastien Roy says:

    Bravo Édith pour ce récit émouvant et inspirant. Vive OneSight ! Continue comme ça. Continue de rendre les gens heureux en leur faisant don de la vue. On est tous fier de toi ! Bravo.

    Posted on Thu May 17, 2012 9:52 pm EST

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