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Clinic Blog: 2011 Walking Shield Clinic Blog

March 23, 2011

Hey! They put on a pretty good show (Wed 3/23/2011)

By fschreibman

Wanted to give you a little bit of an update where we're at. Monday and Tuesday we finished the adults' exams for the hoopa area. Heidi, Hoopa Valley H.S's Librarian was kind enough to cook dinner for the team. Which were indian tacos! YUMMY! Tuesday we had our silent auction and I believe Josh Wasson (Fundraising Captain) said we rose over $1300.00 for our clinic fundraising! Which is a huge win!

 

Today, Wednesday was very fun. We saw mostly pre-schoolers today, which is one of the best groups we can see. They were very well behaved and incredibly bubbily. Frankie Schreibman, Josh Wasson, and Ulysses Gonzalez performed throughout the day a puppet show for the kids to watch. It was alot of fun and everyone was cracking up enjoying themselves. So are you interested to know how many kids we've seen so far for our mission?

 

Last week (week1) we saw: 802 people (Adults & Children)

This week so far, are as followed.

Monday-----103

Tuesday----133

Wednesday-179

So Week to date that put's us at 416 people. (1218 so far for the clinic!)

 

Having a great time here in Hoopa and we're winding down to the last few days! Hope you have a good one!

 

Frankie Schreibman

Pearle Vision Region #909 Metro Detroit, MI

March 21, 2011

Oh wow, that’s Paul Bunyan!

By fschreibman

Sunday we got up a little later. Darryl from LensCrafters cooked french toast for the entire crew Sunday morning. After breakfest, we all piled into our cars to go back into town. We stopped at the Trees of Mystery. A very popular tourist location in Northern California. There was a decent size nature walk with many different exotic trees to view. It was alot of fun. When we first arrived there stood a HUGE 30 foot statue of Paul Bunyan and Blue the Ox. It was awesome. After making our way through the trees and all of it's mysteries, we did some shopping at the gift shop.

We then headed to Crescent City for what Julie (Clinic Coordinator) said to be the best clam chowder, she's ever tasted. After dinner the group all seperated and did different things.  At the end of the night we all started making our way back. We met some new team members (some first week volunteers left). Martin from Walking Shield came to relieve Dr. John from Walking Shield. Dr. Vince from Pearle Vision went back home and Dr. Nancy & Dr. Carla came into relieve him.

 

Oh! Last week we saw roughly around 800 people at the clinic! Not too Shabby!

 

Have a good one!

March 21, 2011

It’s Snowing! (Saturday 3/19/11)

By fschreibman

After a long first week of clinic the team got up bright and early to go into the nearest town (Arcata, CA). We were driving in several seperate cars when we realize it's SNOWING! Yes you heard me correctly, snowing in California. The trees were covered in huge snow flakes and the roads were starting to get very slippery. After driving for some time on the road, we decided to turn around due to the weather conditions. We made it back to the motel, where we all seperated to do different things. Some of us explored some of the few local shops in the area and made the best of it.

 

 

March 18, 2011

Hump Day (Wed 3/16/11)

By fschreibman

 

Today met a little 3 year old named Donald. He was extremely shy and would not respond verbally to any of my questions or coaxing. He had an obvious impairment with his left eye and so I wanted to make sure we were able to get some solid data for our team so that we could help him. After several failed attempts to get him to respond, my bag of tricks ran dry and it was time to call in more experience reinforcements.  After a couple minutes, Kema came to my rescue and magically brought little Donny right through the process with flying colors and a sucker to boot. This is a great team here and it is awesome to be a part of it.  

 

Bob Cinncinatti Lab

 

Today I was given the opportunity to deliver some glasses that we had made to a couple that had there eyes examined on Monday.  Myself, our photographer and Dr. Tu drove out to their house and  met not only the couple, but we also met there oldest son and their granddaughter.  For 8 years these two amazing people had went without proper sight.  They were so greatful not only for the glasses, but for the trip that we had made out there to give them  their gift of sight.  The granddaughter grew quite fond of the three of us and soon showed her desire to wear glasses as well.  During our visit, the couple shared stories with us of their heritage and the culture of the area they live in.  The trip ended with several hugs and smiles and their granddaughter even gave myself my very own nickname(April).  To this moment, I still have not discovered the meaning of this name haha.  However, the memory of this trip will remain with me forever!

 

Jacob Irwin

LensCrafters Region 26 Northern California

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March 18, 2011

Tucker Day! (Tues 3/15/11)

By fschreibman

Tuesday was us seeing all adults today. We saw some pretty amazing individuals. The team got even stronger today with more repetition, finding all of our groove with doing things.  The one person that I remember the most from that day, was Polly. Polly was a GREAT personality. She was jolly and incredibly sweet (mildly inappropriate). She was flabbergasted with being here and being able to receive new glasses. She lost her job 2 years ago after having a very severe stroke. With the help of these glasses she told me, she hopes to find work. She gave me a huge hug and thanked me prior to leaving. She was very special.

 

Frankie Schreibman

Pearle Vision Region 909, Metro Detroit, MI

 

 

Tuesday was also “Tucker Day.” An amazing 3 year old who had a +18.00 RX. His father had a +14.50. Their whole family was there. Mom, Dad, and of course little Tucker. Dr. Vince was his optometrist for the day and they both really bonded. Tucker and Dad both received two new pairs of glasses. Tucker “misplaced” his last pair of glasses. He was getting very bad headaches when he was wearing them. He then realized that the family pet was hungry, a dog. So he fed his glasses to their dog. It was hard not to laugh when hearing this, he was just trying to make his dog happy. Both parents were so appreciative of this opportunity. We plan on staying in touch with these individuals. They were all VERY special.

March 18, 2011

Back to Business! (Monday 3/14/11)

By fschreibman

So we all arrived bright and early Monday morning to the jobsite! We started bright and early with a quick team huddle lead by Scott. After our huddle our day began. All of us going to different stations for the day.  The team was incredibly flexible, going where people were needed, juggling multiple tasks. For a first day, it was INCREDIBLY smooth. The one moment that truly stuck out to me, was a elderly couple that came into the site mid afternoon. The man hadn’t worn glasses in 20 years and the woman it had been 8 years. The reason behind it was they were raising their 3 grandkids. They were so grateful and when talking about their grandkids, they totally lit up. They told us they weren’t “sacrificing” they were giving away their “love.” After hearing that statement that was the real wake up call for me. It truly makes me feel that we are right where we need to be, right here.

 

Frankie Schreibman

Pearle Vision, Region 909 Metro Detroit, MI

 

“The team is a very strong, cohesive team. It is a pleasure to be working with them. We are having a great time. The people here are very receptive to us and by us being here it shows how much of a need there is. It’s been a great experience thus far working with our group thus far. “

 

Anita Reed

Home Office CSC Provider Relations

March 17, 2011

TOUCH DOWN! (3/13/11 Sunday)

By fschreibman

Hello Friends & Family. Feel free to follow this blog. The purpose of this blog is to share our expeience & photos with all of you during our time here. We've traveled all day Sunday. Some of us flying in, some driving in. Many of us met at the San Francisco Air Port. The team here is a great mix of seasoned veterans and fresh new talent. All of us ranging from all over the country including: Illinois, Ohio, Nevada, California, North Carolina and Michigan (Even a great lady from Canada!). After a very interesting flight from San Francisco to Arcata (a smaller air port where most of us traveled to). We were all pretty happy to be on the ground (there was alot of turmbulance (sp?). We had a quick debrief at the airport from our fearless leader, Scott Lawrence, Mission Manager. We met many of the leaders for the mission and many of the team members. We saw some fresh new faces and some familiar friends. After the debrief we had a quick bite to eat and then settled into our home away from home for the next two weeks. We are staying in the city of Willow Creek, which is "Home of Big Foot."

Our site will be Hoopa Valley High School where we will see children and adults from the surrounding tribes.

 

It was a great first day today. Many great talented people are on our team and we're looking forward to sharing our experience with all of you and all of the good we plan on doing here.

 

Have a great day!

 

Frankie Schreibman

Pearle Vision Region 909 Metro Detroit, MI