Gift of vision: Lions Club helps Season for Caring families with much needed glasses
Kourtni Chambers, 4, sat on her mother Aaliyah Gaulmon's lap as she was told to look into the blinking lights of a machine. Austin Founder Lions Club member Robert Watson trains the diagnostic machine on Kourtni's eyes to see if she has any vision problems.
The screen flashes a picture of two blue eyes. She passes. Perfect vision.
Her mother also passes, but for some of the other Statesman Season for Caring families, the screen flashed with red eyes and indicated a vision problem such as myopia (nearsightedness) or astigmatism. Saturday delivered a chance for the families to receive a certificate from the Lions Club to get a free eye exam and a pair of glasses through its partnership with America's Best optometrists and glasses store.
"Season for Caring is a program that exists to help people in need," Lion Sam Ruiz said. "Our whole function is to help the community out; that's what Lions Clubs are for, and you've got a good organization out there in Season for Caring, and we want to participate. It is worthwhile for us to be able to supply the glasses and the free exam for them. We are very appreciative of your organization."
Season for Caring highlights the need in our community by telling the story of a dozen families nominated by local nonprofit organizations. The family's needs are taken care of first and then the donated money helps hundreds of other families via local nonprofits.
Getting children's vision problems identified and wearing glasses before third grade is important, both Ruiz and Watson said, because it is a predictor of their future academic success. A 2021 study by Johns Hopkins University found that kids in the Baltimore school system who were screened and given glasses scored higher in reading and math tests than their peers who weren't screened.
"It's very important that kids know how to read," Watson said.
On Saturday, the Austin Founders Lions Club identified eight Season for Caring people who needed glasses and gave them certificates for the free eye exam and glasses.
The Mukire family, refugees from Congo, all were tested. The existing glasses for father Aimable Mukire and for 16-year-old Dorcas worked well. Daughters Valerie, 19, and Mediatrice, 12, who both have cerebral palsy, will get their first pair of glasses this week. Mom Chantal Bisaninka learned her vision is perfect.
The Trujillo family all needed new glasses except for 21-year-old Ruben Jr. Mom Betty Patina-Trujillo, 48, recently learned she needs a retina specialist, plus the glasses. Husband Ruben Trujillo, legally blind, relies on his glasses to help amplify the vision he does have. Children Margarito, 14, and Eliza, 8, also wear glasses.
It has been difficult for the family to get eye exams or to afford them. Patina-Trujillo said she got her last pair of glasses probably about five or more years ago.
Like many of the Season for Caring families, they relied on Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Plan before the recent renewal process that began in April in Texas. Both the Trujillos and the Mukires lost health care coverage for their children and are in the process of trying to figure out what their options are or the next steps in reapplying for coverage.
For Charles Richard, 50, and his wife Nicole, 52, when Watson tested their eyes, the eyes on the screen turned red and indicated myopia or nearsightedness. They both needed glasses and will go for the eye exam and glasses fitting this week at America's Best.
Before his stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis this spring, Charles Richard had noticed that when he was driving a tow truck it was harder to see. "Man, I need glasses," he said. It had been about 10 years since he had a new pair of glasses, but it wasn't something they could afford. They have been using savings and relying on friends to pay their rent while he is in treatment and she is his caregiver.
They were very thankful to get the voucher for the glasses. "Thank you so much," Nicole Richard said.
About Season for Caring
The Statesman will be sharing the stories of all 12 Season for Caring families throughout the holiday season. Find more stories and information at statesman.com/seasonforcaring. You can donate online or use the coupon on Page 3B. Now through Dec. 25, all monetary donations will be matched up to $500,000 by the Sheth family. On Saturday, P. Terry's is donating all its profits to Season for Caring.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Lions Club helps Statesman's Season for Caring families with glasses
