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Thank you Essilor Vision Foundation for sponsoring this post. EVF provides over 500,000 pairs of glasses per year to people in need and works with schools, eye doctors, charities, and corporations to help build vision ambassadors focused on serving their community.
The first time I knew something was wrong with my eyesight was during my sophomore year of high school. I’d been assigned a seat in the back of the class and had to squint in order to see the words written on the chalkboard in the front of the room. I eventually started noticing at church, too – when the lyrics to worship songs started getting a little blurry on the projector screen. After one trip to the eye doctor, I learned that I needed glasses for astigmatism and nearsightedness. While my prescription may have been slight, the difference between wearing my glasses and not was like night and day.
Liam had a vision test through our local school district as part of his kindergarten screening, which came up normal. After he’d been in school for a while though, his teacher mentioned to me that Liam had been complaining about not being able to see all the letters on the board clearly. Fuzzy is how he described it. I was surprised because it hadn’t occurred to me that he might experience vision issues at such a young age.
1 in 4 children in the U.S. has a vision problem that affects their ability to learn. In Liam’s class of 24 students, that’s at least six kids who need vision help in one classroom. Vision is one of the most overlooked factors that affects a child’s ability to be successful in their everyday life and in school.
I’m so thankful that Jamie’s job includes vision coverage as part of our insurance plan, but I also understand that this is a luxury many people don’t have access to. In fact, nearly 25% of parents can’t afford a full vision exam for their kids. I recently heard about an organization called Essilor Vision Foundation which helps give these children access to the vision care they need. They partner with schools, eyecare professionals, and community leaders to help bring clear sight to the underserved. It’s really easy to take your vision for granted, but not being able to see clearly can affect every aspect of a child’s life.
I think of Liam and all the things he might struggle to do with impaired vision, like baseball, playing the piano, learning to read and write, and even playing with his friends. No child should have to struggle because of a cost barrier.
So how can you help?
Be an advocate for children with vision needs by making a donation to EVF. Your donation makes a difference by providing a vision exam and glasses for a child. Since 2007, EVF has helped more than 1 million people get the vision exams and glasses they need. Even better is that no child or their family ever receives a bill for these services.
According to EVF’s website, 12 million kids in the U.S. are in need of vision care, and over half of them live with blurred vision. Kids like yours and mine. Each and every one of them deserves clear sight. For every $50 donation, EVF can provide a vision exam and a pair of glasses to a child in need. One pair of glasses can literally impact every aspect of that child’s life and set them on a better path towards success.
Join me in removing this barrier for kids around the country!
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