Bad enough to be jailed, worse to go blind there

Weeks ago medical director Dr. Bernardita Navarro received 20 persons deprived of liberty for consultations and performed cataract surgery on seven more. They came from the maximum-, medium- and minimum-security compounds of New Bilibid Prison, Muntinlupa. The Bureau of Corrections brought them to the Eye Center in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

PDLs who used to be cataract-blind returned for post-operative checkups. Unlike before, they now walked on their own and assisted fellow inmates who struggled visually.

PDL Lito, 61, served as eyes for Donnie, 51. Lito underwent surgery last year. Restored vision reinforced his commitment to his mission inside prison: teaching PDLs to read and write. “Immense gratitude to you for changing my life,” he smiled. “Now that I can see well, I’m able to read and gain more knowledge to share with students.”

Tzu Chi volunteer optometrist Dr. Adriene Lim prescribed Lito eyeglasses for further improvement. Donnie underwent operation. Eyesight restored, he cried for joy. “I’ve struggled for three years. Those were difficult times. That’s why I’m so happy that I can see again.”

Donnie once lived comfortably, managing his family’s hotel. One bad decision led to his greatest regret. At 30 he was sentenced to life in prison for kidnapping. Good conduct and rehab participation reduced his term.

Fate continued to challenge Donnie. Blinding cataracts developed in both eyes. His family had emigrated years back, leaving him with no one to ask for help. Just as he was losing hope to turn over a new leaf, BuCor and Tzu Chi’s surgical partnership came like answered prayer.

Donnie can now look forward to his future with hopeful eyes. “I’ve lost my youth, I want to walk the straight path and hopefully start a family of my own. I will forever be indebted to Tzu Chi for helping us.”

The eye center’s optometry team flew to Tagbilaran to support the local Tzu Chi office’s mission at Bohol jail. Lugging their own equipment and supplies, Dr. Adriene’s eight-member team provided refraction tests and dispensed eye drops and reading glasses to 540 male and female PDLs and jail guards. They committed to provide lenses for those who didn’t get such necessity on the spot.

The mission was special for Dr. Adriene. “We don’t often have the opportunity to reach these people, so when told of this project, I joined to give them the best we can offer. Give them the comfort of vision. It’s the only thing they now have to improve themselves and their skills.”

PDL Allan learned to paint when imprisoned four years ago. His vibrant pictures are a source of joy and income to support his wife and child. Poor vision threatened to take away his chance to make it up to his family. It turned out that all he needed were reading glasses.

PDL Theo, 48, finds comfort in the Bible since imprisonment two years back. Failing vision impairs his reading. The glasses he received brought him huge relief and spiritual peace. “Faith matters more to us while we’re here. It helps keep us positive and learn from our mistakes. I’m grateful that you visited today and shared your kindness. Though we are prisoners, you came out of concern for us.”

Jail Supt. Thomas Diaz Jr. echoed this gratitude, adding that the project supports the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology’s Plan 2040, which includes PDLs’ social reintegration. “They’re always regarded as ‘the last, the lost, the least’ but today you came here and made them feel that they come first in your heart.”

Natalia, 44, a Russian who served jail time in foreign lands and longs for her four children, received reading glasses and eyedrops. “I’m so pleased to be given attention today. I appreciate your coming here. I’m a single mother with no money. Nobody is helping me. No one is supporting me. You came and made my day.”

Patients’ words of gratitude are the reason volunteer optometrist Dr. Siu Yu Lam couldn’t retire from her profession 10 years back. She cherishes the opportunity to assist with Tzu Chi. “Volunteering gives me so much satisfaction. That I can do something for my community makes me happy because it gives my life value. Your capability is appreciated by those who need it. It may seem like a small effort on your part, but for them it matters a lot.”

Volunteer Joseph Co, Tzu Chi-Bohol medical head, said the optical mission is only one of many medical interventions for PDLs. This project fulfills Tzu Chi founder Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s goal to purify people’s minds and harmonize society. “We consider them patients in need of medical services, and every patient should be treated equally. We don’t look at their backgrounds, just as patients who need our care.”

Tzu Chi Eye Clinic accepts indigent eye patients. Simply set an appointment by texting your name, birthday, address and eye problem to 0908-811-4709. A specialist will see you at the appointed date and time. Checkups, medicines and operations are funded through PhilHealth and supplemented through donations.

Address: 1000 Cordillera cor. Lubiran Streets, Bacood, Sta. Mesa, Manila. Clinic schedules: Mondays to Fridays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Offering services for cataracts, glaucoma, eye tumors, squint and diseases of the cornea and retina.

Catch Sapol radio show, Saturdays, 8 to 10 a.m., dwIZ (882-AM).

Follow me on Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/Jarius-Bondoc

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