AS OF May 15, 2017, the
Freeport Lions Club had nine vision magnifiers loaned to area residents who are
visually impaired. Their names shall remain anonymous for this article,
although they would all, more than likely, gladly tell you of their
experiences.
It is hard to describe the happiness
witnessed when a person who has been struggling for years to see the simplest
things like a favorite book, a utility bill, a shopping list, or a prescription label, can see
those things normally again for the first time in a long time after using a
hand-held magnifying glass or other vision-enhancing tool.
These nine area people can
once again read entire books, thumb through old family photo albums, and regain
some independence lost when others had to do the simplest chores for them.
The amazing transformation
of hope can be seen beaming from their faces as they sit comfortably in front
of their new vision magnifier for the first time, beginning to realize all the
visual things they can do again.
When a Lion member witnesses
this transformation firsthand, it is not unlike watching a child who hears for
the first time. There are few words to describe that feeling either.
These nine people in the
Freeport IL area represent a tiny portion of what Lions do on an international
level for visually-impaired and hearing-impaired people of all ages. But these nine are every bit as important as the millions continually served
by Lions on a daily basis around the world.
If you know someone who struggles
with the simplest tasks because of their low vision condition, contact the
Lions Joe Serafini (815) 275-8737 or Terry Anderson (815) 566-7977 for assistance.
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