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Clinic Blog: 2013 Thailand Clinic Blog
January 23, 2013
Day Seven - Memories that will last a lifetime!
By jon
Day seven is finished! Another 1200 people can now see the world more clearly! Our total for the clinic so far is just under 8,000 people helped! One story that stands out is that of a young boy, maybe 10 years old, who had a very strong prescription - a +10.50. Upon examination, it was found that he had severe scarring on his macula and retina. He was wearing a pair of glasses that gave him some vision, but it was no possible to help him see any better. He was referred to the local health officials and we were able to give him two practically new pair of +10.50 glasses that were in better shape than his existing glasses. He was able to go down a line on the eye chart, however, probably because his new glasses had no scratches on them!
The highlight of the day was this morning when we visited a local elementary school. We passed out over 700 pair of kids' sunglasses and were able to interact and even play a game of soccer with them - the experience was "spec"tacular! It was amazing to see the smiles and hear the laughter and singing of so many children at once...what a simple pair of sunglasses and stickers and playing can bring out in a child humbled us all. The kids were so excited we were there that they wanted to take out pictures and get our autographs!
Shout outs from the team:
Anthony Perry Clarksville, TN: What a great day! This morning was quite refreshing, being given the opportunity to visit with school children (big thanks to Yok!!!). Playing soccer with the 5th grade team was a blast! A huge shout out and thanks to Colby Wilson, a good friend of mine, for donating the soccer ball!!! It was well used. Although that was a great moment, my heart has been heavy since the passing of my boss and optometric mentor Dr. Don C. Lewis this past weekend. He lives on however, as we have now seen over 20 glasses dispensed that our LC stores 0765 and 0724 personally recycled over the past year!! In those moments seeing the smiles on the recipients faces I can see Dr. Lewis smiling as well! He will be greatly missed, but his legacy of helping others first will continue well beyond his time here on earth.
Simona Turolla Italia:Sono passate 2 settimane e non mi sembra vero di riuscire a vedere piu di 1000 persone al giorno,un esperinza indimenticabile,sia per l'organizzazione fatta alla perfezione,nonostante la lontananza ci si sente in una grande famiglia,con il tim ma anche con quelli del posto,grazie a one sight per darci l'opportunita' di questa esperienza e soprattutto della gioia di donare la vista
Liliana Pezzei Italia: MISSIONE in THAILANDIA / Bueng Kan : giorno dopo giorno, momento dopo momento , si vive e si respira tutta la magia di un mondo meraviglioso, di una umanita' nuova con il cuore grande , dove prevale il vero amore verso tutti gli esseri umani. le persone che arrivano alla Clinica, aspetta pazientemente il loro turno sempre con il sorriso sulle labbra e alla fine il loro grazie con le mani giunte esprime la laro intinita gratitudine. Tutti i componenti di ONE-SIGHT , provenienti da diverse parti del mondo, sono simpatici, cordiali e anche se parlo poco l'inglese, loro cercano sempre di farsi capire. La sensazione e' preoprio quella di essere in una grande famiglia. L'obbiettivo di questa Missione era di dare 8.000 occhiali, invece siamo arrivati a 9.000 e manca ancora mezza giornata.... Oggi abbiamo portato gli occhiali da sole in una scuola materna ed elementare qui vicino. i bambini ci hanno fatto una grande festa.... Non ho mai visto bambini cosi felici e cosi educati.... Questa Missione e" davvero un'esperienza unica e meravigliosa che rimarra' nel cuore per tutta la vita. Un Grande Grazie a Tutti di One-Sight.
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January 22, 2013
Day six
By jon
Today we were able to help another 1180 people see the world more clearly. The team is working like a well-oiled machine and everyone is in the groove! Today we helped some small school children and it made everyone's day! We haven't seen many kids come thru the clinic the last week so everyone was excited. We also get to visit an elementary school tomorrow morning to play with the kids and pass out over 700 pairs of small sunglasses for them! Everyone is super excited for this experience! Also, as a team we raised over $8000 in our silent auction last night! Stay tuned for some more stories from team members and hopefully pictures will be downloaded soon!
January 21, 2013
Day Five
By jon
Today we went back to work after a nice, relaxing weekend off... We were able to help another 1026 people receive the gift of sight today. We actually got done with clinic rather early and many spent an extra couple of hours at the pool before heading to the hotel convention center for our silent auction. Each clinic holds a silent auction, where everyone on the team brings items from their hometowns and we bid on them. Its a fun way to raise money for OneSight. We actually had pizza delivered from Udon Thani (3 hours away) and had french frieds and popcorn! Everyone had a blast!
Shelley South Africa :)
Back to Clinic today, giving the gift of sight to another thousand people, smiles and surprised faces seeing properly for the first time. It's so amazing how a simple "Thank you" can mean so much. The silent auction was a bit crazy myself and Shannon had a pen down for a stuffed animal, she doesnt know I'm following her to her room and stealing it, She won the bid :( Another awesome and rewarding day has passed.
Jackie Culp USA:
Another amazing day! the Thai people are so warm and friendly!! And the student volunteers ROCK!!!!! Looking forward to going back tomorrow ~ To my team back in the States... Have a SUPER SPARKLY day! ~ Jackie
January 21, 2013
“Seeing the world through my eyes” by Dr. Dana Kindberg
By jon
In December, 2010 I was fortunate enough to participate in a One Sight clinic in South Africa. It was my first clinic as a doctor, after graduating in May, 2010. In January of 2011, my mom became ill and passed away 3 weeks later. Her short illness gave her time to have conversations with her friends and family before passing away. My mom and I were very close, we lived next door to each other and had coffee together every morning before work and dinner together every night. One of our conversations before she passed away was about what a wonderful life she led. the conversation went something like this:
Me: Mom, I know you have designated many of your belongings to special people in your life, is there anything else you want me to take care of for you?
Mom: Honey, I have led a wonderful life. I have had opportunities, adventures, struggles, and triumphs. I have seen beauty, pain, happiness, and success. I have loved, laughed, cried and rejoiced. I would like you to take my glasses on your next trip and give another the opportunity to see the world as I have.
Me: Mom, I love you, anyone will be fortunate to see the world through your eyes.
On the second day of the clinic here in Thailand, we found an adorable little girl named Ming that has the same prescription as my mom. She is a +4.50 in each eye which means she can not see her school work in front of her. We heard the story that Ming had broken her glasses last year and her family had not been able to afford a new pair. Both of Ming's parents work in the rubber fields, and have a combined income of $300 per month. Since her glasses had broken, Ming's grades had dropped and she had become more shy at school.
Putting my mom's glasses on Ming was amazing, all of a sudden Ming could see the toy she was playing with. the next day I visited Ming at her school and sat at her desk with her while she was doing her school work. she could point to words on the page and also look up and tell me what the sign on the wall said. It was a magical moment where we could communicate without words...I could feel mom's energy in the room, I could feel her joy at giving this little angel the gift of sight.
Dr. Dana Kindberg, Seattle, WA
January 20, 2013
Weekend Off!!!
By jon
The team had a great first week of clinic - we worked hard and now its time to play hard! Saturday the team went to a few temples on the way to Nong Kai, including an amazing sandstone sculpture garden full of huge images of Buddha. In Nong Kai we went to an amazing Vietnamese restaurant on the Mekong River - Thanks Pau, Terrance and the Gift of Sight Thailand team - followed by a few hours at the market for some retail therapy! Today was a true free day. Most of us slept late, some hung out at the pool, some went for massages, and others went to Wat Phu Tok. It is one of the region’s true wonders, with fabulous vistas over the surrounding countryside. Six levels of steps, plus a seventh-level scramble up roots and rocks to the thick forest at the summit, represent the seven factors of enlightenment in Buddhist psychology. Monastic kùtì (meditation huts) are scattered around the mountain, in caves and on cliffs. It is the cool and quiet isolation of this wat that entices monks and mâe chii from all over the northeast to come and meditate here. It was an amazing experience for those who went! Tomorrow its back to work for the start of week two!
January 20, 2013
Weekend Off!!!
By jon
The team had a great first week of clinic - we worked hard and now its time to play hard! Saturday the team went to a few temples on the way to Nong Kai, including an amazing sandstone sculpture garden full of huge images of Buddha. In Nong Kai we went to an amazing Vietnamese restaurant on the Mekong River - Thanks Pau, Terrance and the Gift of Sight Thailand team - followed by a few hours at the market for some retail therapy! Today was a true free day. Most of us slept late, some hung out at the pool, some went for massages, and others went to Wat Phu Tok. It is one of the region’s true wonders, with fabulous vistas over the surrounding countryside. Six levels of steps, plus a seventh-level scramble up roots and rocks to the thick forest at the summit, represent the seven factors of enlightenment in Buddhist psychology. Monastic kùtì (meditation huts) are scattered around the mountain, in caves and on cliffs. It is the cool and quiet isolation of this wat that entices monks and mâe chii from all over the northeast to come and meditate here. It was an amazing experience for those who went! Tomorrow its back to work for the start of week two!
January 17, 2013
ENJOY THE MOMENTS - Day three
By jon
Day Three - today we helped another 1188 people receive the gift of sight in Bueng Kan Thailand which brings our 3 day total to 3137! The team is amazing together - its amazing how in just a few days 42 people from all over the world can become so close. We celebrated yet another birthday today - Happy Birthday Dr. Dana Kindberg! Dana had an extra special birthday as she was able to go to the school to see how the little girl who received her mother’s glasses yesterday is doing with them.
Today’s theme was enjoy the moments. Each and every moment during clinic is a special one, from the smiles we get from the patients, to the hugs, tears and “wai’s” which is the traditional thai greeting of putting the hands together and bowing, to sitting around the pool at the end of the day laughing and having fun and doing the Macarena during clinic with the translators. Seeing that famous Thai smile when you put a pair of glasses on someone for the first time is something none of us will soon forget.
Jennifer Bishop-OneSight Asset Protection wants to give a shout out to her kids at home-Amber, Austin, Ricky and Megan!! also to her awesome husband Mark for taking care of everything at home. Also to Mrs Cann’s class, who are following this blog. Not only are we helping people with their vision needs, but we are all making LOTS of friends!!
Jenni Eilers - Integrated Marketing Team wants to say hi to her team at home keeping the business afloat in her absence. Really appreciate the best team ever as I couldn’t do what I do with OneSight without your amazing support! Also sending shout outs to her parents and Dave...Love you guys!! Had a great “moment” today when I got to welcome a lady in the visual acuity area and take her ocular pressures with the tonometer (testing for glaucoma)....then later I was in dispensing and saw her walking towards me...got to dispense her glasses and they were her first pair EVER! -7.00 bifocals so I worked with the translators to ensure she understood how to use them and to be careful on stairs for awhile :-) She was grinning ear to ear as she left, was great to actually see someone from the beginning of the process all the way to the end!
Mike Sigg - Contact Lens Product Team wants to say ‘Hi’ to his amazing family at home - Carolyn, Daniel, Rachel, & Joshua! He misses them and appreciates their support while he is helping thousands see clearly halfway across the world. He also wants to say thanks to his team for their support in all of his OneSight efforts! I have had some great moments in Dispense when patients’ eyes and face light up when I put their new pair of glasses on - it is one of the best feelings in the world!
January 16, 2013
Clinic Day One and Two
By jon
What and amazing two days in Bueng Kan Thailand! On day one we helped over 900 people and day two we helped 1211 people! We have an amazing team with members from USA, Canada, Israel, Latvia, Italy, South Africa, Hungary and China. We had a couple of memorable moments including one from Dr. Dana Kindberg, who was able to give her mother's glasses to a young girl. And Happy Birthday to Andreas from Hungary, who was happy to celebrate his birthday without ice and snow. We also had many hugs of thanks and lots of the famous Thai smiles!
Mark From Michigan Says:
This is my first international clinic, I have voulnterred for our local Onesight clinic in Detroit, but this experience goes above and beyond anything that im use to. In many ways seeing the differnt lifestyle gives me a new perspective, a perspective that makes me feel slightly ashamed at my current lifestyle, and the fact that I have taken so much for granted. The hospitality that I have received from the Thai people cant be expressed through words.
It started with a Thai Nun dressed in nothing but a white robe and slippers approaching the IMS station waiting for the Thailand team to determine
Jon From Atlanta Says: Thanks to everyone who has supported OneSight!
Shelley-Ann From South Africa says:
Life Changing, I had so many expectations and the few days I have been here have exceeded them. Today I had that moment... I dispensed reading glasses to a woman who was over 80 and it was her first and she started speaking and I asked the volunteer what she was saying. She was wishing me good luck in my life and hugged and kissed me and she became so emotional and started crying and I realised it was me needing to Thank her for allowing me the opportunity, it was emotional for me and humbling. I have made amazing bonds and friendships with my new Family members. Heres to the next awesome Clinic days ahead.
January 14, 2013
Orientation and training - official start of clinic
By jon
The team woke up well rested after having a great night at the home of a local government official. We had great local food and beer and a few brave souls got up on stage and sang karaoke! We met the secretary to the king of Cambodia! This morning, We had a small briefing then headed to the clinic site which is a few minutes from the hotel at a local elementary school. We broke into groups and had a chance to learn all aspects of the clinic process, from visual acuity, dilation and auto-refracting to eye health, inventory, and dispensing. After orientation, our hosts took us to a great restaurant along the banks of the Mekong River where we dined alfresco on local food, including some awesome Tom yum soup! After dinner we had a chance to participate in a thai tradition of lighting paper lanterns and sending them off into the night sky. The lanterns signify sending all the bad energy and obstacles in your life away...it was a great beginning to what is going to be a great clinic! The entire team is excited to get started and we plan on helping 900 people receive the gift of sight tomorrow! Sawadii khup!
January 12, 2013
Bewildered and bleary-eyed in Bangkok
By jon
The North American team arrived safely in Bangkok after 28 hours in transit. We are spending the night in the domestic departure lounge waiting for our early morning departure to Udon Thani. Everyone is tired but excited to be in the land of smiles, using the time to get to know each other. We are looking forward to meeting our international team members from Italy, Israel, Hungary, South Africa, China and Latvia! We are all excited to get to work helping the people of Bueng Kan see the world more clearly on Tuesday! Stay tuned - right now must sleep!
January 10, 2013
Pre-Departure
By jon
On Friday, January 11, 2013 a team of Luxottica associates from around the world will depart for Bueng Kan, Thailand to give the gift of sight to thousands on the first OneSight clinic of 2013. The journey will take about 35 grueling hours for most of the team! Bueng Kan is a small city in the far north-eastern part of Thailand situated on the Mekong River on the border with Laos. The northeastern corner of Thailand is known as Isan and is the poorest, most rural part of Thailand. Stay tuned and follow along with us over the next two weeks - read stories, view photos and laugh and cry with us as we help the people of Bueng Kan see the world more clearly! Please visit our team fundraising page as well and support your friends, family and colleagues! Sawatdii Khrup!