2013 | April
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We just returned from our most recent mission to Ixtapa, Mexico (March 30 through April 6, 2013). By my count, this is the 13th mission to this same site. I can hardly believe it.
This was a surgery only mission as we did patients who were unable to get done last November. Nine dedicated volunteers did 130 vision restoring cataract surgeries, eight pterygia surgeries with grafts, and 15 laser surgeries.
As Molly said, there were a lot of smiling, happy, seeing patients, but I think the happiest were the volunteers who were able to share in the joy of these blinded poor.
Each mission seems to be defined by one patient's experience. This year it was 14 year old Angela. Blind in her left eye from trauma, with a white cataract against her dark brown iris. It made for a striking contrast, one that was easily noticed in this young, developing, self conscious girl. She was very shy and introverted and did not like to make eye contact because she was so aware of how she looked. We gave her the option to remove the cataract (even though the visual recovery would be minimal).
At first she did not want to have the surgery performed, but after an hour of talking with various team members, she consented.
Imagine your 14 year old fully awake, getting an injection with a needle one and a half inches long behind her eye. She was stoic throughout the block, but afterward a tear came from her other eye, showing how nervous and fragile she really was. The surgery went flawlessly, and the next day after her patch was removed, Molly commented on how she smiled and beamed at how beautiful she looked. She had great eye contact, so happy and so self assured.
How could we, the volunteers, be anything but thrilled to participate in that joy. God is smiling. And we again fully understand the words of St. Francis of Assisi, “It is in giving that we receive.”
I am honored to be part of this dedicated group of volunteers.
Peace,
Jim
