I made it 29 years before it happened. Twenty-nine years with good eyes. 29 years without having to use "cheaters".
Then one cold and dark night I watched the bus approaching. Yes, I was hopeful that it would be our bus to take us home-after all, winter in Poland is something you want to run away from-even if your refuge is a bustling and bumpy bus. Therefore, seeing 64 thrilled not only me but also my frozen toes.
"64! It's Bus 64!" I proclaimed to my anxious husband. He stood and glanced at the oncoming bus. Then he sat back down.
"Brooke, that's bus 60."
No! It couldn't be. But could it? I glanced again. Argh! I honestly could not tell whether it was 60 or 64.
That's when it hit me. Perhaps, living nearly 30 years with great eyes, I should go for my first eye exam ever.
Sure enough---my 20/20 in my glory days of youth changed. I, along with many others around the world, was in need of glasses.
When I lifted the glasses made for me to my eyes for the first time, it was as if I went from a blurry world of fuzzy details to sharp HD TV-immediately.
In fact, I continued to lift my glasses to my face, move them down. Up. Down. Up. Down. It was amazing how quickly the world changed depending on the position of my glasses. Were they on? Were they off?
I am now 35. I am in my 6th year of glasses. That's when it happened again.
I was experiencing huge headaches. I could hardly sleep at night. My eyes seemed to pulsate in pain.
Finally I decided to go for my annual vision check. Let's say that was a wise choice.
My left eye had changed dramatically in the last year. It was amazing that I could see anything out of my previous lens.
We changed the prescription and almost immediately upon receiving my new "eyes" my headaches disappeared. My eyes watered less. I could sleep peacefully at night.
And, just like I did 6 years earlier, I began to close my left eye. Open it. Close it. Open it. All of a sudden, I could see the individual leaves on the trees. They were beautiful, and I would be able to enjoy them---especially since it's time for Poland to turn the autumn shades of crimson, gold, and bronze.
I breathed sighs of contentment. I could see. And seeing is nice. Oh so nice.
According to the Centre for Vision in the Developing World, there are over 1 billion people around the world in need of glasses.
I was merely 1 person in need of glasses-but there is a difference between me and the 1 billion without. I could go for an exam. I could purchase the glasses I need.
But, like the 1 billion around the world in need of glasses, I, too, know what it feels like to not see well.
Through the foundation Bread of Life, two highly skilled, professional optometrists have taken a stand for those 1 billion in need. They have taken a stand and said, "Everyone has the right to see well!"
Hania and Piotr Buczkowski have started a project called Bartimaeus. It performs eye vision exams for those that cannot afford them-men, women, and children by the hundreds.
That is obviously Step 1.
And then it goes beyond. Hania and Piotr take it to Step 2. They don't just check the eyes-they make sure those in need get "new eyes".
Hundreds of eye exams performed. Hundreds of glasses given. Their vision is huge. Not only do the less fortunate in Poland receive their new eyes, but Hania and Piotr also think globally, wanting to help those farther east in Europe. They want to be a vitally important part of that 1 billion. They want to help realize the beauty of the world through eyes that can see.
After all, everyone does have the right to see well.
I am so thankful there are people like Hania and Piotr making it happen. Aren't you?
***
Side notes:
If you want to help sponsor this project, please contact:
Brooke Nungesser at brooke@breadoflife.pl
If you want to read about the story of Bartimaeus in the Bible, please go to the Gospel of Mark 10:46-52.
