Extraordinary stories of patients who regained their vision thanks to Fundación Visión!

…..Imagine yourself…. a person very close to you… suddenly loses his eyesight…..

Here we tell you the stories of blind and partially sighted people who regained their vision after many years of darknes. Those are just few stories. 24.000 people – everyone dealing with his own fate – are dreaming of living a life with vision.

The story of the sisters Griselda y Dora Yahari (7 and 9 years old)

The two blind sisters Griselda and Dora who live in Yaguarón, located 70 km from Asunción, were rescued out of extreme poverty and darkness which they had been exposed to since birth.  The girls were living in precarious and unhealthy circumstances. They didn’t have any perspective for their future nor did they attend school. Griselda and Dora, very undernourished, depended on each other and spent all of their time together.  They had been neglected by their parents who were under the influence of alcohol. The neighbours were in great concern of the siblings and therefore they contacted a social worker from the state. She took the two sisters to a health centre nearby where they stayed for three months. The social worker knew about the Program of Fundación Visión and accompanied the girls to their examinations. There were diagnosed with congenital cataracts.

The girls had undergone surgery in the new Central Clinic of Fundación Visión. Griselda and Dora can hardly believe their great luck. For the first time in their life they are able to see and explore the world around them with their new vision.

As the fate of the two girls has touched so many hearts, in the year 2010 Fundación Visión invited Griselda and Dora to their „Cena del Millón“, a charity event that takes place every year in Asunción (always in October). With their appearance and amazing story the two inseparable sisters conquered the hearts of the audience and there were tears of joy and compassion that special night.

This year Griselda and Dora will be attending school for he first time and they will finally learn how to read and write.

This is the story of family Lopéz Valdéz from Limpio

Their three children, Cristian Osmar (7 years), Viviana (4 years) and Araceli de los Angeles (9 months), suffered from cataract since birth which leaves them unable to see. All three children had undergone surgery performed by doctors of Fundación Visión. The children are now able to live a life with vision.

This is the story of Clementina Villalba

Clementina is 76 years old and deaf. She lives in Caazapá with her granddaughter Vidalin, who has been a great support for Clementina and the most important person in her live. So far her sense of vision was the only connection to the people around her until she lost her eyesight due to cataract on both eyes. Since she did not have any financial resources for a proper treatment no one could help her. She had even sold her chickens and other belongings to seek help before she heard of the Program of Fundación Visión. After receiving a letter from Clementina’s grandchild the doctors of Fundación Visión decided to perform surgery on Clementina and her granddaughter was with her during the entire time. The surgery took place on August, 4, 2006 in Caazapá. The day after surgery she regained her vision. Both she and her grandchild are deeply grateful to Fundación Visión. Now she has new hope for a better future.

The story of Diego Benítez from Villa Las Mercedes (San Pedro)

Diego Benítez was born blind on May 10, 1994, in Villa Las Mercedes, Oratorio (San Pedro). Long time ago he had undergone cataract extraction surgery on both eyes in a state hospital, but they were not able to implant intraocular lenses. So he remained blind. He lives with his dad who also suffers from severe eye problems. For having been in these conditions he had lost all hope in life and so he never sought help for Diegito.

On a rainy afternoon, during a surgical campaign at the Colony Volendam, San Pedro, an uncle of Diegito accompanies him to search for aid hoping to receive treatment for his nephew. He did the impossible to bring Diegito to Volendam for a consultation, arriving by tractor and trailer with 30 other people, withstanding heavy rain and cold for 4 hours.

Diegito’s family is very poor. Therefore the community of Volendam were sensitized to the problem and covered the cost of the cataract surgery. In addition they donated clothing and footwear. Even the children of Volendam were helping Diego because their parents of missionaries taught them such activities and attitude towards disadvantaged and poor people.

After being examined and having all the materials Dr. Miguel Scalamogna decided to perform surgery on Diego. Within 24 hours the bandages had been taken off.  Diego had to cover his eyes because of  the strong daylight. It was such an emotional moment for him that he began to vomit. After 10 years of blindness Diego saw his family and friends for the first time in his life and he discovered a whole new world.

Before that time Diegito looked sad. But with the realization of the surgery, on May 12, 2004, Diegito has got his smile back.

The story of Julio Mario Chuaijhart Acevedo, from Puerto Jejuí, San Pedro

As a result of cataract disease in both eyes Julio Mario lost his eyesight at the age of 18.

For thirty years he lived in darkness and during this time he got married and became father of three children. He had never seen his wife and his children before. Julio Mario had undergone surgery during a surgical campaign at the Colony Volendam that was organized by Fundación Visión. The day after his cataract surgery they removed the bandages. He was so happy to see again and there were many tears of joy as the family was reunited. For the first time he saw his wife and his three children.

The story of Cristaldo from Campo Alegre

Cristaldo, 8 years old, was accompanied by his parents to the Fundación Visión. His father, Fulgencio Domingo, who works as a farmer, told us that Cristaldo was suffering from a cataract disease since birth. Due to this illness he was living a life with limitations. The employer of Fulgencio Domingo knew about the activities of the Program and advised the family to pursue Fundación Visión where Diego had undergone surgery.  Very content with the excellent treatment he received, but even happier about the opportunity God gave him, that is a future with vision. Cristaldo is now able to play with children his age and go to school.