 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
||
|
Gift of Sight Patient Results The ten recipients of Furlong Vision Correction's Gift of Sight Program have undergone LASIK surgery and are thrilled with the results. Seven HOPE instructors were chosen by a lottery system and three HOPE clients were selected based on their ability to undergo eye surgery. Here are a few of their stories.
Jack Pomposo has been a HOPE instructor for 20 years. A father of two boys, Jack loves his work and taking HOPE clients out into the community, especially to watch sporting events. Jack uses the outings as a way for his clients to understand the importance of keeping fit - they walk roughly two miles to the park and their reward is to watch kids and adults play sports. For Jack, there are many benefits to his work, but the most rewarding is to see how much joy his clients get out of the simple things in life, including going to the park for the first time in their lives and then recognizing friends each time they return. Jack's job includes providing physical assistance to his clients and having to wear glasses was often a hindrance. He was ecstatic to be one of the winners of the 2006 Gift of Sight program, which has greatly improved his overall quality of life.
Katrina Nash is a HOPE instructor and a single mother of three. She teaches educational developmental tactics to acquire or regain lost or undeveloped skills to HOPE's clients with severe physical disabilities. She loves her job and is greatly rewarded by the affection of her patients. However, her job does not come without challenges. Many times her patients with spasticity would knock off her glasses as she was lifting them or helping them move. She could not remember a time when her lenses were not scratched or her frames bent. Economically, Katrina also had a difficult time coming up with the resources to pay new glasses or contact lenses. When she learned that she was a recipient of the 2006 Gift of Sight program, she was overwhelmed by delight and can now spend more time caring for her clients and worrying less about her damaged glasses.
Andrea Cabello was one of HOPE Services' lucky 10 recipients of the Furlong Vision Correction Gift of Sight program. She is a job coach for HOPE, teaching basic job skills to individuals with developmental disabilities, including corralling shopping carts, busing tables, serving food, stocking shelves and helping customers. For many HOPE clients, the chance to earn a wage, be independent and have a full time job is a personal goal and a coveted accomplishment. Andrea's training programs take place in the loading docks or warehouses of grocery stores, hardware stores, electronic assembly companies and fast food restaurants. Wearing glasses was a hindrance, with clients accidentally knocking them off or lenses getting scratched by the dust of the workplace. Eliminating the need to wear glasses was a dream come true for Andrea and it greatly improved her ability to perform her job.
Angela Landin is an independent living skills trainer for HOPE Services and a single mother of four. As part of her job, she helps clients with necessary daily skills such as developing good hygiene, financing and budgeting, and domestic chores. Angela's biggest reward is helping her clients feel secure in new environments. One of her most rewarding days was when she helped one of her clients take the escalator for the first time. Angela helps HOPE clients conquer seemingly simple tasks, which are often the biggest achievements of their lives. In the past couple of years, Angela's sight had been gradually declining, making her job more challenging. She was not able to afford the vision correction procedure she really needed. She was thrilled to be one of the recipients of the Gift of Sight program, which helps her better serve her clients as well as seeing when she drives at night.
|
|
Jack Pomposo
Katrina Nash
Andrea Cabello
Angela Landin |
|
 |
|
