Oregon Lions Check Coastal Mexican Eyes
by Sioux Dempster of Rockaway Beach, Oregon
The last time I wrote an article for this paper I was a novice to such things as eye- glass journeys. I am no longer a novice; this was my fourth journey with the Lions to Mexico. It is my fourth journey because I have seen all the good that has occurred due to these journeys. It is incredibly heartwarming to see the look of gratitude and appreciation on the faces of those that have been fitted with a pair of used eyeglasses. In their eyes one can see a minor miracle occur as they will once again be able to read, sew, repair a fishing net, or even see a grandchild (and sometimes it will be for the first time.)
I am writing this article in hopes that some of you will be moved enough to consider joining in one of these humanitarian missions. Be warned though; bring a generous supply of tissues with you, because I guarantee you will leave your tears as well as part of your heart in Mexico.
Approximately 2,111 pairs of Mexican eyes were examined by Oregonians from twenty-three clubs (Several Lions from Alberta, Canada and Montana also participated.)
Most of those examined were fitted with glasses, readers, or just sunglasses. Sunglasses are an absolute necessity for many of the Mexican patients. The Mexican sun is harsh and unforgiving to the people who labor outdoors. Most of the patients had their blood pressure taken and many were found to be suffering from hypertension. Most of the patients agreed to have their blood sugar level checked. Many were very high. Some readings were over 600, a deadly dangerous number. Patients with numbers over 140 were advised as to what to eat and what not to eat. Some people examined could not be fitted with any glasses from our library; special glasses will be made in the U. S. and sent to them. Some will receive surgery in the near future.
The way we set up the clinic always varies depending on where the local Lions house us. This time we were set up in the corridors of the public hospital. There are four- teen stations starting with registration in the lobby to finishing up by receiving their gift bag and turning in their paperwork to our statistician. The patients were personally escorted from station to station. All were given visual acuity examinations at the eye chart station. For those that do not read, directional pointing charts as well as familiar object charts are available. Those judged to need glasses were then escorted to a doctor’s office for further examine- ion. The last stations include: eyeglass adjustment (very important), sunglasses distribute- ion, eyeglass case distribution, cleaning of the eyeglasses, a stop at the gift bag table, and finally turning in their paperwork. We took 9,600 pair of glasses to Mexico this year (including the readers and sunglasses). This is information from Lion Tim West of Portland.
The heat and humidity were very high, this being the end of the rainy season, the pollution was extreme, and some of us came down with colds. Canned airplane air, super heat and humidity, motel air conditioners and fans, and the pollution all took somewhat of a toll on us, but we persevered and finished what we came to do. The ladies of the Lions’ Club treated us well and made sure that we always had sufficient and safe drinking water and lots of coca cola. They fed us luncheon in the upstairs commissary. It was always some- thing homemade, delicious, and nutritious. Sometimes they even provided us with fans at our stations. On clinic days they provided us with dinner, also always delicious. Sometimes they fed us at local restaurants, once at the hotel where we stayed, and once at their Lions’ Clubhouse. One night our intrepid group of volunteers were the guests of the Manzanilla Tourist Board.
I have many fond memories of the trip, some from the clinic and some from our days off. Our youngest volunteer was Savannah. She is Herb and Ann’s granddaughter and only fourteen. She entertained the kids wherever she went and probably left a few broken hearts behind. We all loved her, oh - to bottle her energy and exuberance. At the other end of the spectrum is Bravio Torsano a citizen of Colima Estado. Bravio was the oldest patient at the eye clinic. He is one hundred and seventeen years old and was happy with his glasses and even happier with his gift bag (a pencil and a comb). I remember sitting at a table with Tony and Sharon and three of the Lady Lions of Manzanilla. We were in the out- door section of a restaurant in a small village called Suchlatlan. It was the most tranquil moment of the entire trip. We were sitting under coffee trees, sipping coffee and digesting the local snacks, and conversing back and forth in Spanish, such sweet conversation, such wonderful companions, such peace and quietude. And then there was my favorite dinner: quail en molchauhete at El Fogon (near our hotel) three quail halves in a wonderful green sauce and baked in a stone grinding bowl, all for under ten dollars!
As I sit at my computer finishing this article I am remembering all the wonderful warm- hearted people, the people that really have so little, but actually have so much. ADIOS MEXICO!
A message from Sharon Elder:
The next eyeglass journey will be November 27 through December 7 and will take us to Tepic, Mexico. The cost will be $1200 to $1500 for airfare and hotel. Lunch and dinner will be provided by the Lions’ Club of Tepic on clinic days only. All other meals are your responsibility. I am taking reservations for the trip now; reservations must be confirmed by August 15. E-mail me at sharon.access@comcast.net or phone me at 503-252-1281.
Tepic is in the mountains in Nayerit Estado and is the state capital. It is forty-five minutes from the coast and a three and one half hour bus trip away from Guadalajara. It is a large city and offers some good shopping opportunities as well as some Mexican history.