Clinic Blog: 2011 Paraguay Clinic Blog
July 22, 2011
Day Four Friday
By tvermande
Day Four Friday
We ended the day seeing 1145 people with 34 cataract referrals. Some of the interesting cases included a man attacked by a jaguar with a lacerated lower eyelid that he could not close completely causing severe damage and scarring to the cornea leading to permanent reduction in vision. Another young man had a hyphema (eye full of blood) from an injury. He will never see out of this eye. We made sure he received glasses to protect the other eye. We saw many kids who had never had glasses before. Most received sunglasses to protect their eyes from the sun and dust.
I was able to witness the amazing work and efforts from the Vision Outreach International Team today. Many of us have been able to make quick trips to the hospital to witness cataract removal procedure. The dedication and efforts of this group is amazing. Here is a shout out to Roger and his team of dedicated surgeons and their family members who assisted them, they are true One Sight partners. (Paul)
Today was the busiest day of clinic, prepping us for the last 4 days of giving the gift of sight. The team has found its groove and is ready to help the remaining 7,000 Paraguayans. One ancillary gift today, after seeing the local “tribes” being shipped in by uncovered trucks in loads of 100, was observing how they would collect water from a large tank. This tank had been filled with rain water from the past couple days and we were told that this would be some of the best, “cleanest” water the locals would have for the next 6 months. One more benefit that the One Sight foundation is able to offer by conducting these clinics and providing to those who get excited about simple things; stickers, lollipops, balloons, and the best gift, sight!
Stuart and Dr. Steve
Oggi e’ stata una giornata fantastica in clinica, siamo molto felici perche’ abbiamo aiutato piu’ di 1000 persone. Fortunatamente il tempo e’ buono e molte persone sono riuscite a raggiungere la clinica, gli scorsi giorni pioveva e qui le strade non sono asfaltate, i camion che portano le persone non potevano viaggiare perche’ era molto pericoloso.
I bambini sono felici di trascorrere il loro tempo con noi in clinica…e’ stupendo vedere i loro sorrisi e i loro dolcissimi visi illuminarsi per una caramella e per un palloncino che il mitico Nuno crea appositamente per ognuno di loro.
Ieri un paziente appena ha provato i suoi occhiali ha esclamato: “ahora veo en otro mundo!!!” E’un piacere ed un onore rappresentare l’Italia in Paraguay.
Un saluto da tutto il team italiano in Paraguay: Fabio, Gabriella, Giada e Gigi!!!