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Clinic Blog: India 2 Clinic Blog

November 18, 2010

Experiences and observations as Week 2 draws to a close

By phayden

One of the things that make OneSight clinics so amazing is the way our team is able to be flexible and make modifications when we have changing conditions.  For example, we had several rain storms this week, one of them quite heavy.  Although we have 2 floors indoor for the clinic operations at this week's location, we remain very aware that  patients are arriving on foot or by bus transportation, and are milling around or waiting prior to entering the registration area, which is outside. Additionally, after patients are dispensed glasses, they are directed outside to return home.  We knew we needed to address this due to the heavy rain.  Our team leaders immediately recognized the issue, and did everything possible to get people under cover, and hold patients already inside until the rain slowed down.   Our volunteers adjusted the flow of patients accordingly until the rain subsided.

Justin dispensed eyeglasses to a patient who had a very high (-11) prescription.  As soon as the glasses went on, his face lit up and he started hugging everyone around him!  It was a very touching moment.

Chris worked with a 94 year old male patient who had a very high (+11) prescription.  There were no men's glasses in our inventory available that would work for this Rx.  A pair of child's glasses were found, but the challenge was how to make this work for an adult patient.  Chris (our adjustment superstar!) worked on the glasses, twisting, adjusting and maneuvering the frames until things were right.  He put them on the man, and his face immediately lit up!  What a satisfying feeling that we have the skills and creativity to meet the challenge and give the gift of sight to our patients!  Thanks, Chris! 

Dr Madhu  Chawla worked with a lady who came to the clinic with the wish to have glasses so she could go to the temple and read the prayers.  She was so delighted with the care she received from Dr Madhu, Dr Laura Van  Der Waag and Barry (our Chabella superstar!) and her new glasses that she blessed the entire clinic and wanted to bring back offerings to us the following day!  Dr Madu commented that she has never seen a patient so grateful as this one!

Barb and Dr Valhari Patel worked with a lady today who indicated her occupation was sewing and she needed to be able to see the needle.  She was dispensed a pair of glasses and expressed her gratitude and broke out in a big smile.  We gave her a paper to look at up close and she kept nodding her head and smiling with each line she read.  It is so satisfying to know that someone who needs clear vision for their occupation has been helped!

We want to send our love to all of our friends, co-workers and family back home.  We know we are doing amazing things here, and want you to know how much we appreciate your love and support.  Keep your comments on the blog coming! 

We are proud to say that as of Thursday, Nov. 18 we have provided eye exams, eyeglasses, sunglasses and/or readers to approximately 7,000 people in Udaipur India!  We have also successfully referred several hundred for surgery, which is usually done the same or next day as the examinations.  On Friday Nov 19 we will work a partial day, then pack up our equipment and gear, and close the Udaipur clinic down.  We know we will have mixed feelings about leaving this most amazing country, yet look forward to seeing all of you very soon!  Several of us are dreaming about cheeseburgers and fries as our first meal upon return!

November 18, 2010

(Italian) Week 1 by Stefania Gambino

By phayden

Solo oggi posso confermare: Udaipur nasce da un libro di fiabe. 
 
Fino a ieri la nostra vita (la mia, quella dei dottori e dei volontari) é stata 
interamente dedicata alla missione. 
 
Al mattino la sveglia suona all'alba. Alle 6 siamo tutti in "uniforme" pronti 
alla trasferta di quasi 2 ore per raggiungere il sito. Lungo la strada, che 
ormai inizia ad apparire familiare, si ha un primo saggio delle condizioni di 
vita: vecchi scalzi che dormono nella polvere, bambini seminudi che rovistano 
nella spazzatura, vacche smilze e cani rabbiosi che vagabondano in ogni 
angolo... 
 
Poi il nostro campo. Il primo, dove siamo rimasti fino a sabato, era situato in 
periferia: l'idea é di coprire un raggio di 50-60 km dalla clinica, comunicare 
-prima del ns arrivo- l'apertura della clinica nelle comunità limitrofe e 
organizzare, nei limiti del possibile, i trasporti dai centri principali. Questo 
si traduce spesso in decine di chilometri che i pazienti percorrono a piedi per 
essere visitati. 
Lo spazio destinatoci era molto ampio, diviso da una struttura temporanea fatta 
di grandi teli colorati che separavano le diversee aree. 
 
E cosí, dopo la prima giornata trascorsa ad ultimare la struttura e prepararci 
all'apertura, abbiamo dato il via. 
 
A ciascuno vengono assegnati e comunicati i ruoli per la giornata: 
autorefrattometro, inventory, picking, dispensing... L'aspetto più bello é dato 
dalla possibilità di muoversi continuamente, di spostarsi e cosí di conoscere la 
quasi totalità dei pazienti e spesso di seguirli in tutte le fasi. 
 
Ma veniamo a loro: le 3 mila persone che fino ad ora abbiamo incontrato. 
Si vede davvero di tutto. 
La maggior parte sono anziani. Molto anziani... Malnutriti, coperti di stracci e 
deboli. Alcuni con gravi deformazioni. Sulle loro schede, l'età (80, 90 anni) é 
sempre approssimata alla decina, ad indicare che neanche loro conoscono 
esattamente la propria data di nascita... Nessuno ha tenuto il conto per loro in 
principio e successivamente loro stessi l'hanno perso. 
Molti, moltissimi ciechi del tutto o in buona parte. Sono io a decidere quali 
pazienti possono evitare la fila e passare avanti agli altri... All'inizio mi ha 
colpito come i rarissimi uomini bianchi (3 o 4 nei giorni scorsi) che ci hanno 
fatto visita, si sentissero autorizzati a superare tutti gli altri, e ancor più 
come gli altri, con rassegnazione, non si lamentassero. E ogni volta che li 
rispedivo al mittente spiegando che solo vecchi, malati e donne con neonati 
avevano la priorità, le persone in coda ti guardano sorridendo, come se fossi la 
prova vivente che lí esiste una giustizia che fuori non gli é concessa. E 
chiedono di toccarti in segno di profondo rispetto. All'inizio ero un po' 
preoccupata da tanto contatto con persone malate e in condizioni igieniche 
disastrose... Poi é diventato normale. Ho iniziato ad accompagnare i ciechi per 
mano a sorregerli quando non si tengono in piedi... A lasciare che mi bacino 
quando insistono. 
 
E poi ci sono i bambini... All'ingresso della clinica, in un'area attrezzata 
esternamente 200-300 persone alla volta attendono di ricevere le gocce per 
dilatare la pupilla e di essere ammessi alle misurazioni. Qui é dove amo girare 
a caccia di bimbi. Li incontro tutti. Parlo con loro (con le 4 parole hindi che 
ho imparato e che per qualche motivo suscitano grande ilarità), li rassicuro, ci 
gioco, riempio manine e magliette di adesivi (divisi nelle mie tasche tra 
modelli per maschietti e femminucce) e regalo una caramella... Una gelatina 
visto che masticare per molti é un'impresa. Quelli più grandi, 7-8 anni, 
arrivano con l'uniforme di scuola e da soli fanno tutto. Si registrano, si 
mettono in coda, passano con la prescrizione da una stazione all'altra per ore e 
ricevuti i propri occhiali se ne tornano a casa chissà dove... Sono adorabili. 
Dopo che gli hai sorriso e chiesto come va, vorrebbero sapere tutto di te, ti 
fissano all'infinito e ripetono il tuo nome di continuo... Una mamma l'altro 
giorno é arrivata in clinica chiedendo di me. Quando mi ha trovata ha chiesto 
conferma del mio nome e mi ha detto che suo figlio era stato lì il giorno prima 
e le ha raccontato di me. Mi ha ringraziato per averlo aiutato e mi ha 
benedetto. Quando ho incontrato dei bambini con difficoltà serie (13 mesi senza 
cornea, 4 anni e entrambi gli occhi rovesciati... Non si contano), li ho seguti 
fino alla fine del percorso. A volte non c'era molto da fare se non spiegare ai 
genitori l'importanza della scuola  per ciechi e metterli in contatto con il 
rappresentante dell'Istituto per la Vista lí presente. Altre volte, peró, la 
vista può essere salvata, la ciecità é reversibile o almeno un occhio vede 
ancora qualcosa e necessita di occhiali... Ecco, questo rianima la speranza. Dei 
pazienti e nostra. 
 
Ovviamente all'inizio ti si spezza il cuore mille volte al giorno, poi capisci 
che il regalo migliore che tu possa fare loro é un sorriso, un po' di gentilezza 
e -certamente- le cure. 
 
Dovreste vederli, se sei uno straniero e indossi una maglietta arancione, ti 
guardano come fossi un angelo. 
 
E infine il team. Beh, é bellissimo. Dottori, managers, operai, commessi... 
Un'unica divisa, un'unica lingua e zero background. Con tanta voglia di aiutare 
e stare assieme. Lavoriamo anche 13 ore al giorno ed é durissima. Fino a ieri 
non abbiamo mai messo il naso fuori dall'hotel (che é bello seppur spartano) ha 
un giardinetto dove ceniamo all'aperto e una piccola piscina dove ci 
intratteniamo prima di andare a letto), le giornate sono state fatte di lavoro, 
cena, letto, sveglia. 
 
Ma ieri abbiamo avuto il primo (ed unico) giorno di riposo. E' stato fantastico: 
abbiamo visitato il palazzo reale, siamo stati in barca sul lago, abbiamo fatto 
shopping e cenato in un ristorante su un tetto che dominava la città. Abbiamo 
riso tutto il giorno... Beh, la mia compagna di stanza ed io ridiamo cmq tutto 
il giorno! 
 
Adesso stiamo per arrivare nel nuovo sito. Totalmente diverso mi dicono (su 
un'altura adiacente ad un tempio), oggi si monta la nuova clinica e si 
ricomincia... 
 
Siamo felici qui. 

November 16, 2010

Silent Auction

By phayden

 

Silent Auction 

 

It is a tradition on OneSight clinics to organize and hold a silent auction among our team (and a live auction for the very hot items!) with the proceeds benefitting OneSight.  Each team member donates an item of any kind, either from their home country or purchased locally.  A few examples-

Chai tea spices, Oakley sunglasses, many tshirts, 2 murano glass goblets, origami paper and Japanese fan, a collectio of American junk food, indian textiles, commerative items etc.

We raised over $2600 and had a lot of fun.

November 16, 2010

Day 5

By phayden

For week 2 of clinic, we will be working at a new location (although our hotel will remain the same).  This site is also about a 1.5 hour bus ride away, but is up in the mountains.  We passed many marble companies, as marble is very plentiful here and is cut and sold all over the world.  The various colored marble slices and slabs were displayed.  This morning we brought all our equipment and supplies with us (after breaking down clinic site 1) to the mountain location.  We spent the morning and early afternoon setting up our stations and getting everything organized for the next full day of new patients.  This location is a prayer school and is very serene and very different from location 1 (in a good way!).  We have 2 floors of space, so plenty of room to spread out our stations and optimize the flow of patients through.  After the set up, we returned to our hotel and everyone enjoyed a little street shopping...what a fun experience.  Haggling is encouraged and we purchased some neat things.

November 14, 2010

Days 2 - 3

By phayden

Day 2 of our clinic was like a well-oiled machine!  We served 1355 patients and had 148 referrals for eye surgery, day 3 was another 1300 patients.  A few special moments that we would like to share with you -

A 4 year old was examined by one of our docs and had cataracts from birth, and could not see.  This child was set up with an appointment for cataract surgery, and thankfully will have normal vision very soon as a result.  This child will soon have a completely different life, with vision, as a result of being seen at our clinic.

We had another child come through, a 7 year old boy, who had a condition where he could only see out of the side one eye.  The other eye needed correction.  We were able to locate just the right pair of glasses allowing this child to have an improved quality of life.  The children we see affect all of us deeply.  Many of the volunteers brought stickers, pieces of wrapped candy, etc. to give out.  The smiles we receive at these moments are priceless!

A special shout-out goes to our team of doctors who work miracles each day!  Thank you all!

After a very long day, we took our bus ride back to the hotel.  Each evening we gather in the garden courtyard of the hotel, where tables are set up and we're served an Indian buffet style dinner.  We enjoy musicians playing soft sitar, drum, and/or flute music as we eat.  Typically the team leaders debrief our day at the clinic and we discuss any tweaks or adjustments we might make the following day. 

 

November 12, 2010

Photos!

By phayden

Hello Friends and Family!

First, our apologies for not posting anything for a couple of days.  We've had a few technical challenges with a consistent internet signal.  For this post, I'm simply going to share photos taken by several clinic volunteers over the past couple of days.  We've now seen over 3000 patients, and these are just a few of the many special moments we've had here.  Enjoy!

 

 

November 10, 2010

Day 1

By phayden

Day 1 in India has come and gone!  Our clinic location was about 1 hour away by bus, so after an early breakfast we started our journey to the village  Once we arrived at our location we familiarized outselves with the layout and the various stations/jobs throughout the process.  For those of us who were on our first global clinic, it was important that a team leader or doctor trained us on the use of the equipment (i.e. autorefractor) or the best way to pick or dispense eyeglasses.  People were already starting to line up as we finished our preparations. 

Several interesting stories came out of our experiences today. 

One frail, older man had been waiting for some time and appeared agitated and anxious.  One of our team members noticed this and was able to get a cup of chai tea that was being offered to the clinic volunteers, as well as a chair to sit in. This action was a great idea; the man calmed down and got rested, and was soon on his way! 

Our mission here, obviously, is to provide free full eye exams to those who are in the greatest need and do not have access to eye care.  If needed, they are fit with the right pair of eyeglasses that were recycled by many great volunteers from Luxottica and OneSight around the world.  One thing we are particularly proud of on this experience is that through a partnership formed with a local eye hosptial in Udaipur, 25 patients who were diagnosed with cataracts today were taken to Udaipur and will receive cataract surgery tomorrow!  This truly is giving the gift of sight and changing people's lives...immediately!

After a busy day seeing approximately 500 patients, the team returned to our hotel, ate some dinner and went to bed.  We look forward to the challenges, insights, and successes that giving the gift of sight will bring us tommorow!  We are all safe and happy, and miss all of you!

Barb

 

*from Clinc Team Member Stefania Gambino*

Un lungo viaggio verso la clinica. Tra poco arriveremo e sapremo a quale
stazione siamo state assegnate. Devo dire che davvero non m'importa... Per una
volta ho il desiderio di svolgere le mansioni più semplici, dove non occorra
troppa testa ma solo tanta voglia e un bel sorriso...

Sopra ogni altro, il desiderio di essere a contatto con la gente e di lasciare
loro un bel ricordo della clinica... Oltre a contrabbandare qualche quintale di
caramelle!

"A long journey towards the clinic.
Shortly we will get there, not knowing to which station we have been assigned.
For once, it really doesn't matter... I am actually willing to carry out the
most basic tasks where goodwill and a big smile is what really counts!

Above all, I have the desire to be in contact with the people and to leave them
with a good memory of their time at the clinic... This, of course, besides the
strategic objective of smuggling a tons of candies to the kids!"

November 9, 2010

We’ve arrived in Udaipur!!

By phayden

 

We are finally here in Udaipur India!

One lost passport, plane rides halfway around the world, and a 4.5 earthquake in the middle of the night - - - OneSight Team India is all smiles on our way to day 1 of Clinic!

p.s. The food is amazing here!

October 27, 2010

Udaipur, India Mission Team Nov. 8th. - 20th.

By phayden

Hello Friends and Family!
If you are interested in a virtual diary of our OneSight Clinic to Udaipur, India, you've landed on the right blog. Our team of 38 volunteers and doctors from 5 different countries, will spend 2 weeks providing complete eye exams and eyewear to thousands of people, from this area who are unable to afford to see the world clearly.

Each day, right here on this very page, I will be posting highlights from our vison care Clinic. There will be stories of our recipients, the team experiences, and a little about this culture and its people. We land in Dehli, India on Nov. 9th, and take another flight, arriving in Udaipur at about 5PM. There will be postings and pictures through Nov. 20th. Be sure to long on every day so you don't miss anything. This Mission will be exciting! I know wonderful things are going to happen!

We are also raising money to help fund our Clinic so make your donation today for our team at: http://onesight.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.home, use "search " and type in "india". Your favorite person will be listed, you can choose your special person and donate under their name.

You would'nt be on this blog unless you care about what this Mission is all about. We all thankyou for the support you have given us these past few months, as we were preparing for our opportunity to serve those less fortunate than ourselves. Please keep us in your prayers.