By Donna Campbell | Executive Director
What does pole vaulting have to do with compassionate, high-quality eye care? You're about to find out!
As you can imagine, going blind is life-changing, altering not only how you see the world, but how the world sees you. The very good news is that 80% of vision loss is preventable or curable.
When it is not possible to save a patient’s sight, we can still enhance their quality of life. Aravind has an extensive low-vision program where blind and partially sighted people can learn to use adaptive devices and technology, such as canes, smart glasses, and magnifiers to become more independent. Our ocularists create realistic prosthetic eyes that fit comfortably and help improve patients’ self-esteem.
But it still takes a lot of determination and courage to live in this new world. To relearn how to do everyday tasks that are easy for a sighted person. Perhaps this is why stories like Vasundhara’s are so inspiring.
Vasundhara is from the village of Hiravati in Rajasthan. After losing her right eye in a childhood accident, she faced both physical and emotional challenges growing up. At Aravind Eye Hospital - Madurai, Vasundhara underwent surgery by Dr. Usha Kim, Chief of Orbit, Oculoplasty, Ocular Oncology & Ocular Prosthetics Services. Later, she was fitted with a custom-made prosthetic eye, helping restore her confidence and sense of normalcy. Today, Vasundhara is thriving—she recently won a silver medal in the National Pole Vault and will represent India in the World School Athletics Competition. What a powerful example of resilience and possibility!
Many of the patients we serve come from low-income households, and your generous donations cover everything from complicated and lengthy eye cancer treatment to something as simple (but essential) as eyeglasses. This past quarter, you’ve helped provide nearly 2000 free pairs of eyeglasses to school children in Tamil Nadu and free chemotherapy, surgeries, counselling, prostheses, and follow-up to 90 new eye cancer patients.
With your continued partnership, we can support more life-changing journeys like Vasundhara’s. Thank you for helping us bring hope and healing to those who need it most.
In gratitude,
Donna Campbell, Executive Director
“To See All as One. To Give Sight to All” From the journals of Dr. G. Venkataswamy, Founder of Aravind Eye Care System
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