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Lions Patient Care - Transforming Lives Strabismas Surgery Allows a Young Child to Run, Jump & Play with Friends
A photo of Oscar on his first visit to the Doctors at Devers Eye Clinic.	Imagine trying to run, jump and play like other kids, but bumping into things and tripping over your toys. Imagine your puzzled view of your classroom books, as you physically need to hold your head in your hands as you read your textbook with your head turned sideways in order to read with one eye instead of two. Now imagine a befuddled child trying his best to keep up with his learning, but restrained due to a congenital crosseyed view of the world, known as strabismas. Thanks to the Woodburn Lions who brought Oscar to the attention of the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation’s Patient Care Program, Oscar has received a life-altering surgery, one which will impact him for years to come. His class books are no longer a puzzle that he must solve. He can now read and keep up with his classmates. His eyes no longer get tired from the strain of having to read the small print. Now, Oscar can use both eyes to read, study, and improve his grades.
According to Dr. Daniel Karr, Oscar had two different problems occuring. “This is a very interesting combination,” said Dr. Karr. Oscar could see 20/20 with either eye, but was having vertical misalignment in the right eye that made no sense at all. The left eye was stuck in an up position due to a tendon problem, while the right eye wasn’t following Dr. Karr’s hand because those muslces had not developed. Realizing that the family was struggling, Pat Paradis, Woodburn Lions President took the time off work on the days that Oscar and his parents needed to come to Portland, and along with fellow club member, Bobby Hayes, drove the family to Portland.
OLSHF's Karina Felix helped arrange this Patient Care meeting at Dever's Eye Clinic in Portland. She stands next to Panfilo & Oscar Santos, and alongside Pat Paradis and Bob Hayes of the Woodburn Lions.
It was teamwork that allowed this surgery to come about. And it’s teamwork that makes the Foundation’s Patient Care Program work successfully. The Patient Care Committee has been an established team for over 30 years. With approximately 12 Lions members they meet on the first Wednesday of each month to carefully review and determine which cases take priority. With limited resources, the committee must follow strict guidelines that are meant to support the cases that are sight or hearing saving surgeries. “Each year we can change the lives of between 60 to 100 Oregonians depending upon the type of surgery needed,” says Brenda Anderson, Programs Manager. “With our current economy and with little or no insurance coverage, those in need generally have nowhere else to turn. So far in this fiscal year, we have helped 54 Oregonians.” Oscar’s family was just one of the many Oregon families who had nowhere else to turn, but thanks to the Lions Patient Care Program and the generosity of Lions, the Devers Memorial Eye Clinic and specifically, Pat Paradis, President of the Woodburn Lions, Oscar has a new outlook in his classroom and his life is now rich with opportunities.
Oscar, just days after his surgery.	A smile of gratitude to the Lions!
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