October 18, 2011

Clinic Day 1-Brendan’s Story

By twible

First time Global Team Member and Australian Optometrist Brendan Philp shares a special story from his first clinic day. 

On only rare occasions in life you get the chance to change someones life in a profound manner.  Today was the first day of my very first OneSight global clinic, and if today was anything to go by, I will be participating in many more in years to come.  An elderly lady attended our clinic today who walked uneasily with the help of an old stick for a cane.  She didn’t wear glasses but her eyes were almost closed as she was squinting so hard to try to see clearly.  After testing her eyes she was found to have a script of +15.00D in each eye, which is a very high script indeed and one that I would only rarely see at home.  Without glasses, she would find reading impossible, daily tasks extremely difficult and even would struggle to recognize the faces of loved ones.  When she tried her glasses on for the first time her eyes almost popped out of her head as she realized how clearly she could see her hands that she was holding out in front of her.  This was probably the first time that she had seen her surroundings clearly for 30 years and she was so excited that she began to dance.  She left a new woman with a new independence that she would not have felt in years.  After she left the clinic, I noticed that the old stick that she walked in was left at the door.  This was only one of many stories that I could tell of today.  Not a bad first day, can’t wait till tomorrow.    

Clinic Day 1

Photos from the first clinic day

Patients arriving by bus, waiting to be seen.
Going from registration to the next stop on their eye clinic journey
Waiting to dialate fully before getting autorefracted
Almost time to get a pair of glasses
Dr. Dave autorefracting a patient
Susi and some patients
A happy patient and his new glasses
This patient was so happy with her new eyewear, she danced and walked the runway for everyone at the clinic.

14 Comments

  1. Julie Walker says:

    Thank you for all that you’re doing and for sharing your story!!  Hey to Teresa!!

    Posted on Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:08 pm EST

  2. Randi Benlulu says:

    Happy First Day!  Sounds good so far….thank you….keep up the good work!

    Posted on Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:22 pm EST

  3. Sue Hancock says:

    Glad to hear that everyone arrived safely! Thanks for sharing your stories, especially those about the patients whose worlds are changed by the work you are doing. How exciting! Keep the pictures coming as well!

    Posted on Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:48 pm EST

  4. SaraS says:

    Go team!
    Un grosso in bocca al lupo a tutto il team italiano… con un abbraccio in particolare a Susi!

    Posted on Wed Oct 19, 2011 2:49 am EST

  5. Renee Hill says:

    Best of luck to everyone on this clinic!  I know that you will all do amazing things helping those who will see a brighter day with your help!

    Special shout out to Crystal..from the Minneapolis clinic, YOU ROCK!!

    Take care,

    Renee Hill
    Target Optical #4291
    Livonia, MI

    Posted on Wed Oct 19, 2011 12:02 pm EST

  6. Amy Guerrero says:

    Best wishes to the entire team!  You’re all doing great work and truly changing lives.  Hugs and kisses to my good friend MAY THOMAS…Region 73 misses you!!

    Aloha from Hawaii :)

    Posted on Thu Oct 20, 2011 2:30 am EST

  7. Roxan Arias says:

    Awesome story, It feels so good to help out so many
    great job

    Posted on Thu Oct 20, 2011 8:29 pm EST

  8. Amy Mohler says:

    I am so happy for you Brendan..as I have experienced that “first moment at my first clinic” and let me tell youmy friend..it will stay with you forever! When you come home..there will always be a part of you that wants to be back at your first clinic!!! Enjoy every moment!!!

    Posted on Thu Oct 20, 2011 10:11 pm EST

  9. Deandra says:

    THX that’s a great aswner!

    Posted on Sat Oct 22, 2011 3:25 am EST

  10. Heidi says:

    Heck of a job there, it abosultely helps me out.

    Posted on Sat Oct 22, 2011 5:27 am EST

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  12. Thena says:

    These picees really set a standard in the industry.

    Posted on Sun Oct 23, 2011 8:05 pm EST

  13. Lan says:

    Have a great clinic everyone. You are making a difference. Shout out to Kathy and carol!!!

    Posted on Mon Oct 24, 2011 4:20 pm EST

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