It’s always fun when giving someone a needed pair of glasses creates a win-win experience. Many of the glasses we dispense on our mission trips are for reading and the patient simply thanks us graciously, then puts the glasses in his/her pocket and walks away. Even some of the distance correction lenses go that way. This often leaves us a little disappointed.
So, when a patient refuses to remove their new glasses because they like them so much, great joy fills us. This is what happened last week during our mission trip to Ixcán with Amigos Eye Care. One of our students, Emma, found a pair of glasses which matched a patient’s prescription very closely. A big smile broke over Martina’s face. Thinking the glasses needed to be adjusted slightly for better comfort, Emma started to remove them.
As though she were having a body part removed, Martina instantly grabbed the glasses before they could be taken off. She thought Emma was going to take them away from her. Emma released her grip. Martina smiled broadly. Then realizing how important these glasses were to the patient, an equally broad smile spread over Emma’s face. She had just experienced the feeling that makes the whole week a success, giving someone the gift of sight. This is a feeling that will last a lifetime, a wonderful win-win experience.