When I was nine years old, I was diagnosed with this thing called pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE). None of the doctors knew of it, as it seems they do today. I was about 50 when I had my first macular bleed with another following six months later. It was then that my vision really started to become impaired.

Since then I’ve been on a mission to have the best and fullest life I can, to keep adjusting and be positive at all times. Even when I feel limited by this disease, I always have a plan B to remind myself how full my life can be. It’s too dark to drive? So I clean the basement. Or I organize all the donations for the El Salvador Eye Campaign which fill my garage. There’s always something that can be done.

Let me back up and tell you how I became involved with my work in El Salvador.

The following year I went to El Salvador with a small group of people from my church. Having no idea really what I was to do, I took five pounds of beads and yards and yards of ribbon. When I arrived, I found out that I would spend most of my time on the ground, working with kids who lived on the street, making beaded things. They called me the ‘bead woman’ and still do. I taught arts and crafts to the moms and the older children so that they might have something that they could make and sell in the market. One of these kids is now in art school making beautiful jewelry!
 

I went back to Santa Ana with my church group every year after that. One August however, I was unable to go, but I learned that there was another possibility for a five-day trip in January. This trip was an Eye Campaign that started in my church during the war in El Salvador. It has become so large that it is now operated under the ‘Friends of ASAPROSAR’ umbrella. It began with only four people but has become a team of at least 60 doctors, nurses, technicians, optometrists, computer experts, and lots of regular folks like me. Some of the volunteers are trained on the spot to fit eyeglasses, and they are busy all day long. On that January trip alone, we saw 2200 patients, fitted 1700 pairs of eyeglasses, and completed 149 eye surgeries. We accomplished all of this in five days, working from 7 AM until we were done for the day. My most important job is to give toys to the kids who stand in line for hours and hours waiting for their eye exams. I also take them to the lending library and entertain them with coloring pages and art projects so that those performing the eye exams can do their job without being interrupted. All of this I do without speaking Spanish; I just keep smiling.

Even after those five days were over, I continued my work with the Eye Campaign. We maintain a bank of 10,000 pairs of eyeglasses. During the year as we get donations, they all have to be washed, screened for scratches and then read. I wash A LOT of eyeglasses.

Now, I generally travel to El Salvador twice a year in both January and August. Each trip is different, but each trip is important to those with whom we visit. I have come to know that even though we might just go to a community to watch a women’s meeting or attend a service, they will tell generations that the North Americans came to their village on that day. Knowing that simple fact keeps me going back.
 

Most importantly I’ve learned that no matter what, we can all do something to help an important cause. When people work together, even greater things can be accomplished. There is a blind man who teaches a class at the Eye Campaign. He explains to the patients what will happen during the examination and eyeglass fittings. To do his job, he has to take two buses. People on the corner where the bus stops help him get on the right bus. Again, we can all do something.

Participating in the Eye Campaign is an awesome experience. January 2013 will be my 15th trip. The team members all know of my vision problems and are very supportive and helpful. They are terrific people.

As my vision dims, I consider myself ‘in training’ for when it dims a little more. I am so blessed to have the support of my team of doctors, my family, friends and my faith community, who are all more than willing to listen, learn, and help.

In the end, each of us can do something for someone else – write a note, make a phone call, drop those old glasses in the Lions Club bin – many things.

Have a blessed life,
Linda Maria Falconiero