Through a Child's Eyes
8 Year old Cristina poses with her two doctors just prior to going into her first cataract surgery.	Peering through the peripheral points of her cornea, Cristina inquisitively examined all the focal equipment at Devers Eye Institute at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital. Cristina, eight years old, has silently dealt with congenital cataracts in both eyes since birth. Never knowing the difference between regular eyesight and what she was seeing, Cristina was unable to express that she had a problem with her eyesight. Just looking at Cristina’s cheerful, dark eyes, common folk would never know what lurked behind. Her family and teachers just assumed that she wasn’t a fast learner and not that interested in her own education. Coming from Mexico with her mother, and learning in the American education system in Redmond, Oregon, Cristina is fluently bilingual, yet not responsive in the classroom.
That is not until teacher, Kathy Eddy of Vern Patrick School in Redmond noticed the way in which Cristina turned her head to read her papers.Kathy immediately went into action. Realizing that Cristina’s parents had no insurance and could not qualify for the Oregon Health Plan, she got in touch with “Doctors without Borders” who helped her track down the Lions Clubs. “I knew about the Lion’s emphasis on glasses, but never imagined they could help with something as critical as this,” commented Kathy. In March they had finally made contact with Brenda Anderson of the OLSHF. With doctors stressing the importance of having the surgery within 2 months, Brenda made sure that Cristina’s case came before the Patient Care Committee at the very next meeting. She was approved.
Meeting Cristina, her mother Carmen, and grandmother Kathy at Devers for the initial exam, you immediately notice the incredible bond between the three generations. They had just arrived from Redmond and Cristina was a bit fidgety from the long drive. Cristina wanted to know if I was “going to sleep, too!” Putting the upcoming operation into a child’s perspective, grandmother Kathy had explained to Cristina that she was simply going to go to sleep and wake up seeing brighter colors and sharper faces and flowers. “I’m jealous,” remarked Kathy in a reassuring and comforting voice to Cristina. “You get to go to sleep and relax, while I have to stay wide awake waiting for you.”
After some initial testing, Dr. David Wheeler and his counterpart Dr. Laurel Quinn, informed the family that a child’s eye is anatomically different than adult eyes. At age 8, the eye is still developing. In Cristina’s case, vision development has been delayed due to the cataracts. Removing the cataracts may not result in automatic 20/20 vision as it does with some adults. She may need glasses. But amazingly, she will be able to see clearly in the center of her eye. Cristina’s first surgery was set for June 12th. They’ll complete just one eye at that time in order for her to be able to adapt to the new vision. The second eye will be done a short time later. In the meantime, her vision isn’t holding her back. Cristina appeared at the MD-36 State Convention, along with her mom and grandmother. She wowed the audience with her grace and courage, but even more so when from memory she led the gathered Lions in the Pledge of Allegiance.
	Flashing forward to June 12th, Cristina and her family entourage arrived mid-morning to prepare for her life changing “sleep.” Cristina was even more inquisitive. What 8 year-old wouldn’t be. Like a trooper she took her eyedrops and IV (intravenous) preparations better than most anxious adults. When it came time for surgery, grandmother Kathy rode along on the gurney to the operating room. Once Cristina was asleep, Kathy slipped out to wait with Cristina’s mother Carmen, for the good words of a successful operation. The surgery itself took approximately 20 minutes, but the pre-surgery prep and then coming out of anethesia turns minutes into hours for an anxious family. Two hours later Dr. Laurel Quinn appeared in the waiting room to share positive support with Cristina’s family.
Cristina returned to Devers Eye Institute in Portland in September for her second surgery. Repeating her brave "trooper" performance, Cristina had her second successful cataract surgery. Thanks to Devers Eye Institute, who reduces their fees, the OLSHF is able to leverage our funds so the OLSHF can help more children lilke Cristina. Thanks to Lions, Cristina’s life has been forever changed. Her family is eternally grateful for the opportunity the Lions have given Cristina. Her education can now continue undeterred by the cataracts that impeded her education. To the right is a picture of Cristina with her teacher and classmates. Cristina noted that she now likes to read books and do her homework.
Cristina recently sent a message to all Lions: “Thank you Lions for helping me get my eye surgery. When I had cataracts I coudln't read. I had to put my face on the paper. I can read now. I can see recipes to cook. I can also see the white board at school and I like my new glasses. Thank you for helping me. ” - Cristina
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