By now, we have all made it home safe and sound from our journey to Thailand and some of us may still be recovering from jet lag. We know some of you may have been waiting for a while to see our pictures. It appears we have a site up and running where members can post their pictures from our Thailand One Sight clinic. Everyone may visit our group room and view the pictures.
The site can be found on the following link...
http://thailand2009lewis.snapfish.com/snapfish
Please use the room code: chabella
to enter the group site.
Thanks for following the blog!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Saturday, February 28, 2009
A fond farewell
Yesterday was our last day of clinic L At the beginning of every clinic we start off with a cheer to get everyone excited. The responsibility of doing the cheer is randomly selected. Brianne was chosen yesterday, it went:
“We are Onesight couldn’t be prouder if you can’t hear us we’ll yell a little louder!”
“We are Onesight couldn’t be prouder if you can’t hear us we’ll yell a little louder!”
“We are Onesight couldn’t be prouder if you can’t hear us we’ll yell a little louder!”
Well the cheer worked to get us all pumped up. We were scheduled to see 1500 people, but once again pushed the number to 2075. With this we successfully saw 23,252 people on our Onesight Clinic experience. We dispensed all 10,000 pair of sunglasses we brought, all 12,000 readers (plus an additional 3000 the foundation bought here to accommodate the demand). We spent time after clinic taking pictures and sharing moments with the Thai translators we have come to hold close to our hearts.
The mission experience is a funny thing, due to the intense working conditions, long hours, and emotional experiences of giving some people sight for the first time, we have found ourselves bonding with those around us in such a way that would not be possible in everyday life in such a short amount of time. We have developed bonds with many of the translators that we will carry in our hearts for the rest of our lives. Leona put it perfectly when saying bye to a couple of our new found friends “We came to this country to give the gift of sight to the people of Phayao, but the insight we gained from them was so much more valuable.” After some tender moments with our helpers we began the task of breaking down the clinic and packing the equipment.
Our wonderful hosts prepared a thank you celebration later that evening. Just as we had began to think that this clinic experience couldn’t get any better, the Thai people once again surprised us with their incredible hospitality with the incredible closing festivities began and blew us all away (a true Mind Blowing Experience). We were each presented with hand tailored traditional Thai shirts to wear for the banquet dinner, as we all gathered in the lobby to make our way to the celebration a few of us had the opportunity to ride to the event in peddle carts adorned with Thai fabrics and orchids. As we travelled down the city streets, locals would stop what they were doing and wave to us. When we arrived at our destination by the Phayao Lake’s edge, we were greeted with numerous Thai people in traditional ceremonial clothing. We were told this party and festivities are traditionally what are done with dignitaries. Our own Mitch Belinsky was waiting for us as well, dressed completely in Thai clothing with traditional silk pants and Thai jewelry, as he would be officiating the ceremony.
At the water’s edge were 40 or more small wicker bird cages with 2-3 small birds in them, along with an equal number of bags containing many fish. The Thai’s believe that by releasing a captured animal you can release the things in life that trouble you and put yourself at peace once again. In unison we released our bird to fly away, followed by our fish. We then began the parade march to the banquet site. The city of Phayao had constructed a series of water jets that blew water in a beautiful arch from one side of the street to another for around 100 feet down the street. As we walked under the water arch to the banquet entrance we felt as if we were Thai dignitaries being welcomed home.
We were greeted by the district governor who was a crucial part in the success of our clinic and our fabulous treatment here, who present us with a traditional, handmade, scarf called a Pa Kao Mao meaning A Wonderful Thing. The scarf has many uses from being used as a fan or swatting mosquitoes, or even drying dishes. Our Pa Kao Mao was to be tied around our waist. We were then escorted over to a series of chairs set side by side in a large row. In front of each chair were two silver bowls, a large one and smaller one. Inside of the bowls was water with flower petals. We were instructed to sit with our hands in front of us, in a praying position pointed out from us. In succession each and every guest at the banquet walked down the row, taking the smaller cup, filling it with water from the larger bowl and pouring the water in between our hands and saying a prayer or wish of luck for each of us person after person.
In today’s world it is commonplace to focus on the negative, to speak out when adversity strikes. To come to a culture that is so incredibly humble, so immensely appreciative, it refills the soul and makes the hard work and sometimes exhausting experience that clinic creates completely worth it. After the welcoming ceremony, the feast began with traditional music, dancing, traditional Thai foods and some more familiar (some KFC showed up for our more finicky eaters). In the Thai culture no detail seems to be overlooked, tasks are thought out and completed to their fullest extent. Just when you think they can’t outdo themselves they surprise you again. The Thai people have the cultural habit of saying yes to any request; they find a way to accommodate any situation when it would be far easier to politely say no it can’t be done. That is a true lesson we can all take away from this experience.
After the dinner we lit more than 200 hot air lanterns. As they all drift up and around in unison the Phayao sky was illuminated as our cares and troubles drifted away with our lanterns. As our evening came to a close the governor thanked us by presenting all of us with an award from the people of Phayao and implored us to return to continue to help the province. A wonderful, over the top evening came to a close, but in traditional Thai fashion the experience didn’t end there.
In their never ending request to out do themselves, this morning a tour bus was awaiting us to ferry us to the border of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand to the Golden Triangle. The experience could have ended with the banquet and we all would agree this has been the trip of a lifetime. It’s almost as if the city of Phayao seeks to repay us with every minute of time we spent helping them with an equal amount of time experience Thai culture and sights. We traveled to the Golden Triangle (or for those geographically challenged the area where Laos, Myanmar and Thailand meet). We spent the day sight seeing and browsing at markets and returned back to our hotel tired, but very enriched.
Tomorrow we begin our long journey home, as we return we will have many stories and pictures to share. We have made new memories and friends that will last a lifetime. Those of you that have followed our blog (and sometimes lack there of) thanks for your patience and support of us. We would also like to thank our clinic leadership team, whose effort and hours of hard work and planning made this one of the most efficient and successful missions many of us have ever had the pleasure of participating in. To our Thailand hosts, it will be quite hard returning home and not having a parade or banquet or award ceremony or a temple to visit while riding on elephants. You have treated us like royalty; made us feel completely appreciated and filled our hearts with joy. We will leave this experience better people, more enriched and thankful for the opportunities in our own lives. With that we bid you farewell and look forward to seeing our families at home, even though we may only see you in between naps for the first couple days. Kap Khun Kup to all.
“We are Onesight couldn’t be prouder if you can’t hear us we’ll yell a little louder!”
“We are Onesight couldn’t be prouder if you can’t hear us we’ll yell a little louder!”
“We are Onesight couldn’t be prouder if you can’t hear us we’ll yell a little louder!”
Well the cheer worked to get us all pumped up. We were scheduled to see 1500 people, but once again pushed the number to 2075. With this we successfully saw 23,252 people on our Onesight Clinic experience. We dispensed all 10,000 pair of sunglasses we brought, all 12,000 readers (plus an additional 3000 the foundation bought here to accommodate the demand). We spent time after clinic taking pictures and sharing moments with the Thai translators we have come to hold close to our hearts.
The mission experience is a funny thing, due to the intense working conditions, long hours, and emotional experiences of giving some people sight for the first time, we have found ourselves bonding with those around us in such a way that would not be possible in everyday life in such a short amount of time. We have developed bonds with many of the translators that we will carry in our hearts for the rest of our lives. Leona put it perfectly when saying bye to a couple of our new found friends “We came to this country to give the gift of sight to the people of Phayao, but the insight we gained from them was so much more valuable.” After some tender moments with our helpers we began the task of breaking down the clinic and packing the equipment.
Our wonderful hosts prepared a thank you celebration later that evening. Just as we had began to think that this clinic experience couldn’t get any better, the Thai people once again surprised us with their incredible hospitality with the incredible closing festivities began and blew us all away (a true Mind Blowing Experience). We were each presented with hand tailored traditional Thai shirts to wear for the banquet dinner, as we all gathered in the lobby to make our way to the celebration a few of us had the opportunity to ride to the event in peddle carts adorned with Thai fabrics and orchids. As we travelled down the city streets, locals would stop what they were doing and wave to us. When we arrived at our destination by the Phayao Lake’s edge, we were greeted with numerous Thai people in traditional ceremonial clothing. We were told this party and festivities are traditionally what are done with dignitaries. Our own Mitch Belinsky was waiting for us as well, dressed completely in Thai clothing with traditional silk pants and Thai jewelry, as he would be officiating the ceremony.
At the water’s edge were 40 or more small wicker bird cages with 2-3 small birds in them, along with an equal number of bags containing many fish. The Thai’s believe that by releasing a captured animal you can release the things in life that trouble you and put yourself at peace once again. In unison we released our bird to fly away, followed by our fish. We then began the parade march to the banquet site. The city of Phayao had constructed a series of water jets that blew water in a beautiful arch from one side of the street to another for around 100 feet down the street. As we walked under the water arch to the banquet entrance we felt as if we were Thai dignitaries being welcomed home.
We were greeted by the district governor who was a crucial part in the success of our clinic and our fabulous treatment here, who present us with a traditional, handmade, scarf called a Pa Kao Mao meaning A Wonderful Thing. The scarf has many uses from being used as a fan or swatting mosquitoes, or even drying dishes. Our Pa Kao Mao was to be tied around our waist. We were then escorted over to a series of chairs set side by side in a large row. In front of each chair were two silver bowls, a large one and smaller one. Inside of the bowls was water with flower petals. We were instructed to sit with our hands in front of us, in a praying position pointed out from us. In succession each and every guest at the banquet walked down the row, taking the smaller cup, filling it with water from the larger bowl and pouring the water in between our hands and saying a prayer or wish of luck for each of us person after person.
In today’s world it is commonplace to focus on the negative, to speak out when adversity strikes. To come to a culture that is so incredibly humble, so immensely appreciative, it refills the soul and makes the hard work and sometimes exhausting experience that clinic creates completely worth it. After the welcoming ceremony, the feast began with traditional music, dancing, traditional Thai foods and some more familiar (some KFC showed up for our more finicky eaters). In the Thai culture no detail seems to be overlooked, tasks are thought out and completed to their fullest extent. Just when you think they can’t outdo themselves they surprise you again. The Thai people have the cultural habit of saying yes to any request; they find a way to accommodate any situation when it would be far easier to politely say no it can’t be done. That is a true lesson we can all take away from this experience.
After the dinner we lit more than 200 hot air lanterns. As they all drift up and around in unison the Phayao sky was illuminated as our cares and troubles drifted away with our lanterns. As our evening came to a close the governor thanked us by presenting all of us with an award from the people of Phayao and implored us to return to continue to help the province. A wonderful, over the top evening came to a close, but in traditional Thai fashion the experience didn’t end there.
In their never ending request to out do themselves, this morning a tour bus was awaiting us to ferry us to the border of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand to the Golden Triangle. The experience could have ended with the banquet and we all would agree this has been the trip of a lifetime. It’s almost as if the city of Phayao seeks to repay us with every minute of time we spent helping them with an equal amount of time experience Thai culture and sights. We traveled to the Golden Triangle (or for those geographically challenged the area where Laos, Myanmar and Thailand meet). We spent the day sight seeing and browsing at markets and returned back to our hotel tired, but very enriched.
Tomorrow we begin our long journey home, as we return we will have many stories and pictures to share. We have made new memories and friends that will last a lifetime. Those of you that have followed our blog (and sometimes lack there of) thanks for your patience and support of us. We would also like to thank our clinic leadership team, whose effort and hours of hard work and planning made this one of the most efficient and successful missions many of us have ever had the pleasure of participating in. To our Thailand hosts, it will be quite hard returning home and not having a parade or banquet or award ceremony or a temple to visit while riding on elephants. You have treated us like royalty; made us feel completely appreciated and filled our hearts with joy. We will leave this experience better people, more enriched and thankful for the opportunities in our own lives. With that we bid you farewell and look forward to seeing our families at home, even though we may only see you in between naps for the first couple days. Kap Khun Kup to all.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Thai on another one
Quote of the day came from Rodney. Lost in translation….
He was tickled to be dispensing glasses to a woman who “was no bigger than a minute.” He said “she was so darn cute he could put her on a cracker and eat her right up.” After she left dispensing, Steven had over heard this and said it would be funny if they translated it in Thai to be “oh he said he wanna eat you like a cracker.”
Each day we are creating a new life and many smiles for the people we help. It’s also amazing how many smiles these people create for us. When we are so tired and our feet hurting from hours of standing, the little things can be so special- from the 82 year old man who grinned from ear to ear giving a thumbs up because he was so happy to get his glasses to the 3 year old who showed off his karate moves to the 2 year old who performed the most amazing wai (a Thai thank you where you put your hands together near your face as though praying and bow) for a lollipop.
Jennifer Bishop had a nice warm and teary eyed fuzzy. She dispensed a pair of -13.00 glasses to a young man who was 24 years old- the same age as one of her sons. This young man had not worn glasses in over 7 years.
The mountain ladies once again came to visit us from one of the neighboring villages. The come in full village attire with these huge turban like head dresses, red boas, and awesome fabric pants which they have hand crocheted- mind you the weather is very hot too. We asked to take a picture of her with her new glasses and she became so excited. She immediately bear hugged Cleopatra, Breann, and Julie and celebrated her new glasses.
We had a group of group of over 100 that had travelled for over 160 miles to come to our One Sight clinic. These people were not scheduled and had decided they would just spend the night outside clinic and wait to see if they could get in the next morning. Rather than turn them away, our clinic eagerly accepted them. Today an amazing 3575 people were served. This brings out clinic total up to 21, 252!
The pinning ceremony occurred tonight. It’s a heartfelt ceremony where we received the first ever One Sight Global Clinic pins. It occurred on a local boat on the lake here in Phayao. In preparation for our boat, several people took Dramamine for motion sickness. We pulled up to our dinner to realize the boat was a stationary and barely on the lake so there was no movement at all to the boat!
He was tickled to be dispensing glasses to a woman who “was no bigger than a minute.” He said “she was so darn cute he could put her on a cracker and eat her right up.” After she left dispensing, Steven had over heard this and said it would be funny if they translated it in Thai to be “oh he said he wanna eat you like a cracker.”
Each day we are creating a new life and many smiles for the people we help. It’s also amazing how many smiles these people create for us. When we are so tired and our feet hurting from hours of standing, the little things can be so special- from the 82 year old man who grinned from ear to ear giving a thumbs up because he was so happy to get his glasses to the 3 year old who showed off his karate moves to the 2 year old who performed the most amazing wai (a Thai thank you where you put your hands together near your face as though praying and bow) for a lollipop.
Jennifer Bishop had a nice warm and teary eyed fuzzy. She dispensed a pair of -13.00 glasses to a young man who was 24 years old- the same age as one of her sons. This young man had not worn glasses in over 7 years.
The mountain ladies once again came to visit us from one of the neighboring villages. The come in full village attire with these huge turban like head dresses, red boas, and awesome fabric pants which they have hand crocheted- mind you the weather is very hot too. We asked to take a picture of her with her new glasses and she became so excited. She immediately bear hugged Cleopatra, Breann, and Julie and celebrated her new glasses.
We had a group of group of over 100 that had travelled for over 160 miles to come to our One Sight clinic. These people were not scheduled and had decided they would just spend the night outside clinic and wait to see if they could get in the next morning. Rather than turn them away, our clinic eagerly accepted them. Today an amazing 3575 people were served. This brings out clinic total up to 21, 252!
The pinning ceremony occurred tonight. It’s a heartfelt ceremony where we received the first ever One Sight Global Clinic pins. It occurred on a local boat on the lake here in Phayao. In preparation for our boat, several people took Dramamine for motion sickness. We pulled up to our dinner to realize the boat was a stationary and barely on the lake so there was no movement at all to the boat!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Happy Wednesday
Pictures are being a problem to be uploaded to the blog as we have found out by successfully crashing the entire system several times. As a result, when clinic is over, we will be posting the web link ot view the pictures from our mission trip so all can see. Thanks for your understanding.
We were welcomed with a pleasant surprise last night of care packages from our homes. We would all like to extend our extreme gratitude and thanks to all our family and friends who sent encouraging cards, pictures, memories of home, and especially snack foods (as rice has been a daily food source for all our meals)! Thanks for your continued support!
Today was another day of miracles. We had a goal of 3100 to provide care to. As the number for the day approached the goal marker, we realized the tents of recipients that had arrived and waiting was still tremendous. It turned out that a large number of people had traveled by bus for over 60 miles. They had attempted to come on a prior day, but transportation had failed them. We banded together as a group and quickly came to the consensus that we were here to serve the people of Phayao and we were going to stay until all the people that had arrived were helped. As a result, a female who was a -10.00 and had never worn glasses was able to get her very first pair of glasses today.
We were able to give the gift of sight to 3700 well deserving people!
We all have our share of warm and fuzzies during the day. Those people that we are able to make a huge difference in their lives and them touching ours as well. Today Julie was dispensing glasses when a lady approached her. It turned out the lady was seen in clinic the day before and had returned because she couldn’t see out of her new pair of glasses. The lady, Thongdee, was wearing her old glasses which we realized were a -25.50! This of course was way beyond our inventory range. We were able to find and dispense to her a pair of -19.00 as a back up pair. We are going to adopt her and make a new pair of glasses and mail them back to Thailand.
After a nice banquet at the hotel, we ended our day with a Silent Auction to give back to One Sight.
A message from our European Team Mates:
Buongiorno dalula Thailandia
Gue a Phayao sta prociendo tuito meraviguosa mente. Siamo molto felicia ma purtroffo ci stiano avvicinando alla fine. Stan succedenro molte cose commoventi e ogni giorno e differente dall’altro con grandi e indimenticabili emozioni. Grazie a tutti quelli che ci stanno supportando e ci danno la forza per affrontare ogni giornata in clinica. Grazie e saluti!
We were welcomed with a pleasant surprise last night of care packages from our homes. We would all like to extend our extreme gratitude and thanks to all our family and friends who sent encouraging cards, pictures, memories of home, and especially snack foods (as rice has been a daily food source for all our meals)! Thanks for your continued support!
Today was another day of miracles. We had a goal of 3100 to provide care to. As the number for the day approached the goal marker, we realized the tents of recipients that had arrived and waiting was still tremendous. It turned out that a large number of people had traveled by bus for over 60 miles. They had attempted to come on a prior day, but transportation had failed them. We banded together as a group and quickly came to the consensus that we were here to serve the people of Phayao and we were going to stay until all the people that had arrived were helped. As a result, a female who was a -10.00 and had never worn glasses was able to get her very first pair of glasses today.
We were able to give the gift of sight to 3700 well deserving people!
We all have our share of warm and fuzzies during the day. Those people that we are able to make a huge difference in their lives and them touching ours as well. Today Julie was dispensing glasses when a lady approached her. It turned out the lady was seen in clinic the day before and had returned because she couldn’t see out of her new pair of glasses. The lady, Thongdee, was wearing her old glasses which we realized were a -25.50! This of course was way beyond our inventory range. We were able to find and dispense to her a pair of -19.00 as a back up pair. We are going to adopt her and make a new pair of glasses and mail them back to Thailand.
After a nice banquet at the hotel, we ended our day with a Silent Auction to give back to One Sight.
A message from our European Team Mates:
Buongiorno dalula Thailandia
Gue a Phayao sta prociendo tuito meraviguosa mente. Siamo molto felicia ma purtroffo ci stiano avvicinando alla fine. Stan succedenro molte cose commoventi e ogni giorno e differente dall’altro con grandi e indimenticabili emozioni. Grazie a tutti quelli che ci stanno supportando e ci danno la forza per affrontare ogni giornata in clinica. Grazie e saluti!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Tuesday update
Sawadee! again to all our fellow friends and family in The United States, Europe, and China!
Between the unreliable internet and the business of helping people see, it’s been difficult to stay connected.
Each day we have been given an aggressive goal of the number of people from Phayao that we are scheduled to help and each day thus far we have exceeded these goals.
For those who are into the numbers….
Day One we were scheduled to serve 1500 and closed the day with 1840!
Day Two we were scheduled 2000 and closed with 2340!
Day Three we were scheduled 2800 and again finished with 3340!
Day Four we were scheduled 3200 and found ourselves with 3405!
During our first week in Phayao we successfully helped a grand total of 10925 extremely deserving people. All our hard work has generated a level of efficiency of serving almost 5.7 people per minute (I bet we all wish our stores were that busy!).
We then broke for two much needed days of rest and relaxation. During our days off we were treated by the city of Phayao and their representatives to a trip to the neighboring city of Chiang Mai. We traveled by bus for around 2 ½ hours to the Maesa Elephant Camp. This area serves as a reserve for the Asian elephants in the area. At the camp we were given the opportunity to ride and feed the elephants. This along with a spectacular elephant show made for some great photographs, stories and memories.
After our elephant experience we were welcomed to a Buddhist Temple and Palace high on the mountain top of Chiang Mai. After many curvy roads and much Dramamine, we were rewarded with spectacular sites of the temple and views of the city.
After leaving the temple, we proceeded through the Chiang Mai night markets to join over 200,000 of our new found friends on the crowded streets of Chiang Mai where the streets were lit with strings of incandescent bulbs.
Yesterday was a day of rest and relaxation. Some stayed behind to catch up on some sleep, while others did some shopping and still others enjoyed Thai massages.
The local governor has been crucial in the success of our clinic. Last night we were hosted at the governor’s house for a banquet. It involved a night of much food, local dancing, and music. We were showered like royalty. At the end of the night, it was hard to say goodbye, but we knew we have to get ready for another early morning of clinic the next day.
Today’s clinic was once again rockin’! We had an aggressive goal of 3100. Even while trying to get back in the swing of things we were able to help again another 3345! And we even ended the clinic an hour earlier than usual.
It’s very humbling when you think of the tremendous opportunities we are given everyday in our home countries. It becomes mindboggling when you meet an 80 year old grandmother that has never seen her children or grandchildren before. The glasses that we discard have the ability to change lives, not just restore sight. Sight is by far the most important of the 5 senses and to have the opportunity to give that gift back to someone almost by the minute is an enormously enriching gift.
We look forward to another successful day tomorrow and we’ll blog again tomorrow!
Sawadee from Thailand!
Between the unreliable internet and the business of helping people see, it’s been difficult to stay connected.
Each day we have been given an aggressive goal of the number of people from Phayao that we are scheduled to help and each day thus far we have exceeded these goals.
For those who are into the numbers….
Day One we were scheduled to serve 1500 and closed the day with 1840!
Day Two we were scheduled 2000 and closed with 2340!
Day Three we were scheduled 2800 and again finished with 3340!
Day Four we were scheduled 3200 and found ourselves with 3405!
During our first week in Phayao we successfully helped a grand total of 10925 extremely deserving people. All our hard work has generated a level of efficiency of serving almost 5.7 people per minute (I bet we all wish our stores were that busy!).
We then broke for two much needed days of rest and relaxation. During our days off we were treated by the city of Phayao and their representatives to a trip to the neighboring city of Chiang Mai. We traveled by bus for around 2 ½ hours to the Maesa Elephant Camp. This area serves as a reserve for the Asian elephants in the area. At the camp we were given the opportunity to ride and feed the elephants. This along with a spectacular elephant show made for some great photographs, stories and memories.
After our elephant experience we were welcomed to a Buddhist Temple and Palace high on the mountain top of Chiang Mai. After many curvy roads and much Dramamine, we were rewarded with spectacular sites of the temple and views of the city.
After leaving the temple, we proceeded through the Chiang Mai night markets to join over 200,000 of our new found friends on the crowded streets of Chiang Mai where the streets were lit with strings of incandescent bulbs.
Yesterday was a day of rest and relaxation. Some stayed behind to catch up on some sleep, while others did some shopping and still others enjoyed Thai massages.
The local governor has been crucial in the success of our clinic. Last night we were hosted at the governor’s house for a banquet. It involved a night of much food, local dancing, and music. We were showered like royalty. At the end of the night, it was hard to say goodbye, but we knew we have to get ready for another early morning of clinic the next day.
Today’s clinic was once again rockin’! We had an aggressive goal of 3100. Even while trying to get back in the swing of things we were able to help again another 3345! And we even ended the clinic an hour earlier than usual.
It’s very humbling when you think of the tremendous opportunities we are given everyday in our home countries. It becomes mindboggling when you meet an 80 year old grandmother that has never seen her children or grandchildren before. The glasses that we discard have the ability to change lives, not just restore sight. Sight is by far the most important of the 5 senses and to have the opportunity to give that gift back to someone almost by the minute is an enormously enriching gift.
We look forward to another successful day tomorrow and we’ll blog again tomorrow!
Sawadee from Thailand!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Friday Clinic Stories
Amy Anderson
Store 6570, Pearle Vision, Las Vegas, NV
After waiting all day in the heat, I had a lady tell me a funny joke. She said that she knew she needed glasses because her dog was saying, “oink oink” instead of “bow wow”!
------------------------------
Jenna Morse
LensCrafters 848
Today I dispensed a pair of glasses to a very cute three-year-old boy. He was in need of surgery for both ptosis (drooping eyelids) and strabismus (lazy eye). He didn't mind at all the process of fitting his glasses. Somebody on the team gave him a bag of small toys and candy, which alleviated his fear of the process. He stuck a toy magnet on one of the metal glasses dispensing tables, and played with it for a long time.
We gave him a pair of Chabellas (custom-made eyeglasses, which we make at clinic) and some sunglasses. After I dispensed the glasses, the boy's dad was amazed to watch his son's eyes follow the toy's movement!
------------------------------
Dawn Marie Hess
Pearle Vision #6423
Story 1
Yesterday, I dispensed a pair of glasses to an 88-year-old woman with a +11.50 in both eyes. Her old glasses were so old and scratched that she couldn’t see through them anymore. The moment I put her new pair on her, she broke out in a huge smile! Her eyes lit up with joy as she looked around. She bowed in thank many, many times and gave me a big bear hug before she left.
Story 2
We ring a bell every time we are able to match a prescription perfectly. When we hear that bell, we let out a cheer. The bell was ringing so often at one point, that the adorable woman I was dispensinsing glasses to joined in – letting out her “WOO-HOOs” and clapping her hands!
------------------------------
Mitch Belinsky, Inventory Management System (IMS) Leader
LensCrafters Operations, Cincinnati, OH
IMS rocked solid today! Having an information officer review all our prescriptions first just creates a great flow to both the Glasses Selection and Chabellas stations. The team was strong throughout clinic. This team is already gellin’! Rock on Team Thailand!
------------------------------
Brianne Kroger
Pearle Vision Legal, Cincinnati Ohio
Hello Cincinnati! I am thrilled to be on my first OneSight mission here in Phayao, Thailand! It has been amazing in so many ways. I want to say hello to Stacy Mann and Andra Terrell in the Legal department. This is AWESOME!!!
------------------------------
Jennifer Bishop
Loss Prevention, Cincinnati Ohio
I just want to send a big hello to Mrs. Trenz’s third grade class, my husband Mark, Rocky, Austin, Amber, my mom & dad, and all the Loss Prevention team back at the CSC and out in the field!! This is the most amazing experience I’ve ever had, and better than any NASCAR race in the US. I can’t wait to share pictures and stories with everyone!! Love you guys!!
------------------------------
Julie Lewis
Nashville, TN
Amazing Dispense of Today…
1. Lady +16.50 had near-perfect match. She seemed scared when she got the glasses, blinked several times, then in plain English, looked at me and said, “Wow, you are beautiful!
2. Another lady, -9.50, never wore glasses. She spoke Thai during dispense. When she put the glasses on, she started clipping her hands and said, “Yippee! I can see!” We’d liie to say hi all our family & friends at stores 765 and 1206.
------------------------------
Kendra Moore
Sears Optical, Chicago, IL
I dispensed my sister-in-law’s glasses, and the patient loved them! I am so blessed with not only my friends, family and co-workers supporting me from home, but also incredibly blessed and amazed with my team! XOXO
------------------------------
Cleopatra Comiotto
Luxottica Italia – Sedico
Ecco il team europeo di questa straordinaria esperienza in Thailadia.
- Manolis Tzatzimanis (Luxottica Grecia)
- Manuela Werner ( Luxottica Germania – Monaco)
- Cleopatra Comiotto (Luxottica Italia – Sedico)
- Derick Afenyo Gamor (Luxottica Italia - Agordo)
- Adriano Dal Pont (Luxottica Italia – Agordo)
- Hung Vo Van (Luxottica Italia – Pederobba)
Siamo veramente entusiasmati di questa missione.
Le giornate in clinica sono molto pesanti ma le stanchezze non si sentono, in quanto le gratificazioni sono tante.
In cambio di un paio di occhiali usati loro ci regalano un sorriso che ricorderemo per tutta la vita.
Abbiamo raggiunto quota 7520 persone aiutate a vedere in soli tre giorni!!!
Saluti a tutti!!!
Siamo felici di appartenere a questo team meraviglioso!!!
------------------------------
We hope to have some pictures up soon. Thailand is a beautiful country (the land of smiles). Our hosts are so gracious, the patients are so thankful, and our team is so upbeat and happy to be helping the people of Phayao Thailand! If only we could figure out how to upload photos, it would be perfect.
Much love to family, friends, co-workers and pets at home,
Team Thailand, February 2009
Store 6570, Pearle Vision, Las Vegas, NV
After waiting all day in the heat, I had a lady tell me a funny joke. She said that she knew she needed glasses because her dog was saying, “oink oink” instead of “bow wow”!
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Jenna Morse
LensCrafters 848
Today I dispensed a pair of glasses to a very cute three-year-old boy. He was in need of surgery for both ptosis (drooping eyelids) and strabismus (lazy eye). He didn't mind at all the process of fitting his glasses. Somebody on the team gave him a bag of small toys and candy, which alleviated his fear of the process. He stuck a toy magnet on one of the metal glasses dispensing tables, and played with it for a long time.
We gave him a pair of Chabellas (custom-made eyeglasses, which we make at clinic) and some sunglasses. After I dispensed the glasses, the boy's dad was amazed to watch his son's eyes follow the toy's movement!
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Dawn Marie Hess
Pearle Vision #6423
Story 1
Yesterday, I dispensed a pair of glasses to an 88-year-old woman with a +11.50 in both eyes. Her old glasses were so old and scratched that she couldn’t see through them anymore. The moment I put her new pair on her, she broke out in a huge smile! Her eyes lit up with joy as she looked around. She bowed in thank many, many times and gave me a big bear hug before she left.
Story 2
We ring a bell every time we are able to match a prescription perfectly. When we hear that bell, we let out a cheer. The bell was ringing so often at one point, that the adorable woman I was dispensinsing glasses to joined in – letting out her “WOO-HOOs” and clapping her hands!
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Mitch Belinsky, Inventory Management System (IMS) Leader
LensCrafters Operations, Cincinnati, OH
IMS rocked solid today! Having an information officer review all our prescriptions first just creates a great flow to both the Glasses Selection and Chabellas stations. The team was strong throughout clinic. This team is already gellin’! Rock on Team Thailand!
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Brianne Kroger
Pearle Vision Legal, Cincinnati Ohio
Hello Cincinnati! I am thrilled to be on my first OneSight mission here in Phayao, Thailand! It has been amazing in so many ways. I want to say hello to Stacy Mann and Andra Terrell in the Legal department. This is AWESOME!!!
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Jennifer Bishop
Loss Prevention, Cincinnati Ohio
I just want to send a big hello to Mrs. Trenz’s third grade class, my husband Mark, Rocky, Austin, Amber, my mom & dad, and all the Loss Prevention team back at the CSC and out in the field!! This is the most amazing experience I’ve ever had, and better than any NASCAR race in the US. I can’t wait to share pictures and stories with everyone!! Love you guys!!
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Julie Lewis
Nashville, TN
Amazing Dispense of Today…
1. Lady +16.50 had near-perfect match. She seemed scared when she got the glasses, blinked several times, then in plain English, looked at me and said, “Wow, you are beautiful!
2. Another lady, -9.50, never wore glasses. She spoke Thai during dispense. When she put the glasses on, she started clipping her hands and said, “Yippee! I can see!” We’d liie to say hi all our family & friends at stores 765 and 1206.
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Kendra Moore
Sears Optical, Chicago, IL
I dispensed my sister-in-law’s glasses, and the patient loved them! I am so blessed with not only my friends, family and co-workers supporting me from home, but also incredibly blessed and amazed with my team! XOXO
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Cleopatra Comiotto
Luxottica Italia – Sedico
Ecco il team europeo di questa straordinaria esperienza in Thailadia.
- Manolis Tzatzimanis (Luxottica Grecia)
- Manuela Werner ( Luxottica Germania – Monaco)
- Cleopatra Comiotto (Luxottica Italia – Sedico)
- Derick Afenyo Gamor (Luxottica Italia - Agordo)
- Adriano Dal Pont (Luxottica Italia – Agordo)
- Hung Vo Van (Luxottica Italia – Pederobba)
Siamo veramente entusiasmati di questa missione.
Le giornate in clinica sono molto pesanti ma le stanchezze non si sentono, in quanto le gratificazioni sono tante.
In cambio di un paio di occhiali usati loro ci regalano un sorriso che ricorderemo per tutta la vita.
Abbiamo raggiunto quota 7520 persone aiutate a vedere in soli tre giorni!!!
Saluti a tutti!!!
Siamo felici di appartenere a questo team meraviglioso!!!
------------------------------
We hope to have some pictures up soon. Thailand is a beautiful country (the land of smiles). Our hosts are so gracious, the patients are so thankful, and our team is so upbeat and happy to be helping the people of Phayao Thailand! If only we could figure out how to upload photos, it would be perfect.
Much love to family, friends, co-workers and pets at home,
Team Thailand, February 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Boy, have we been busy!
First of all, we all arrived safely in Phayao, Thailand. Apologies for the delay, as we know family members have been concerned, BUT... So far, after only two days of clinic, we have given the gift of sight to 4180 people!
And now some truly remarkable stories...
On the first day of clinic, a 75-year-old man went through the clinic process (eye dilation, autorefraction, doctor examination, health check) and waited patiently for his glasses to be dispensed. He had a very strong prescription. His name was called, Erin Powell dispensed the glasses, but they weren't quite right - the man told the interpreter that he couldn't see well through them. Our tech leader, Jo Dunn took a look at the glasses and the prescription, and went to find a better match. She was able to hand-pick (among the 20,000+ glasses in our inventory) an almost perfect prescription match. After dispensing the glasses, the man smiled, put his hands in prayer position and thanked us in his native language.
Our wonderful team of doctors saw hundreds of patients with cataracts and pterygiums. The exposure to the elements in Thailand increases the prevalence of both of these conditions. The doctors were able to refer the patients to an upcoming surgical clinic that will take place soon after our OneSight clinic, where the gift of sight will also be given.
We've been able to celebrate all throughout our clinic days when we find PERFECT prescription matches! Our fearless leader, Leona Dockery, instituted the "ringing of the bell" ceremony for the Inventory Management System (IMS) team. After the doctors write the prescriptions, the IMS team is tasked with entering the data into the database, where the closest match is found. When a perfect match is found, a bell is rang loud and proud to announce the success! Cheers can be heard from our team, the volunteers and even some of the patients!
Stay tuned for more stories from the Phayao, Thailand clinic!
And now some truly remarkable stories...
On the first day of clinic, a 75-year-old man went through the clinic process (eye dilation, autorefraction, doctor examination, health check) and waited patiently for his glasses to be dispensed. He had a very strong prescription. His name was called, Erin Powell dispensed the glasses, but they weren't quite right - the man told the interpreter that he couldn't see well through them. Our tech leader, Jo Dunn took a look at the glasses and the prescription, and went to find a better match. She was able to hand-pick (among the 20,000+ glasses in our inventory) an almost perfect prescription match. After dispensing the glasses, the man smiled, put his hands in prayer position and thanked us in his native language.
Our wonderful team of doctors saw hundreds of patients with cataracts and pterygiums. The exposure to the elements in Thailand increases the prevalence of both of these conditions. The doctors were able to refer the patients to an upcoming surgical clinic that will take place soon after our OneSight clinic, where the gift of sight will also be given.
We've been able to celebrate all throughout our clinic days when we find PERFECT prescription matches! Our fearless leader, Leona Dockery, instituted the "ringing of the bell" ceremony for the Inventory Management System (IMS) team. After the doctors write the prescriptions, the IMS team is tasked with entering the data into the database, where the closest match is found. When a perfect match is found, a bell is rang loud and proud to announce the success! Cheers can be heard from our team, the volunteers and even some of the patients!
Stay tuned for more stories from the Phayao, Thailand clinic!
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