Special Olympics broke the “Opening Eyes” World Record

This great story comes from Santinelli International’s Facebook page and we would like to share it with our readers. Good job guys:

According to the official report, the folks at Special Olympics broke the “Opening Eyes” world record of number of exams and eyewear produced/dispensed at any one event this weekend!

There were 950 exams and over 500 pair dispensed! Congratulations and thanks to all involved, especially Santinelli’s Jaysun Barr who… volunteered his time and effort during the three days of this special event! Santinelli supplied the eyeglass maker.

Kerry Hincka congratulates Sam Suchanek for placing first in the 25 meter butterfly swim during the Special Olympics. Sun Photograph by RYAN EVON

The Opening Eyes Vision Screening is where Special Olympics athletes can get an eye exam, and eye glasses, swim goggles, recreational specs, and sunglasses for free.

“We do it to help the athlete,” said Dr. Phil Irion, clinical director for Opening Eyes. “To help them see better to participate in their sport and in life.

“As a volunteer, there is the satisfaction of working with athletes with special needs.”

Irion said that the screening process to vision screen those who may not be readers, or who can’t speak, offers a learning opportunity for students and doctors.

“When we ask which one is better of the two, sometimes we just get a stare,” said Irion. “So, we ask, ‘Can you see a shape?’ and we have them show what shapes they are seeing.

“Our testing is pretty accurate. It would be better with a verbal athlete, but we can do objectives.”

The Opening Eyes program has been a part of the Michigan Special Olympics for 11 years.

“It started after Dr. Irion got involved with International Special Olympics,” said Nancy Walton, volunteer coordinator for Opening Eyes. “Eunice (Kennedy) Shriver said she wanted it at every Special Olympics.

“She wanted to see that every state has it.”

Walton said the three-day screening is funded by the Lions International Foundation and the American Foundation for Vision Awareness.

“Some states can only have this for half a day,” said Walton. “We’re lucky we have the funding.And we fabricate the glasses right here.”Walton said that many of the athletes live in group homes, and for those over the age of 21, Medicaid no longer provides vision care.”We didn’t realize that need when we first started,” said Walton. “We serve people aged 7 to 71, but a majority of our athletes are 20 to 40 years old.”

Karen Tribfelner of Bay City was waiting in line after line with her son, Jim, an athlete from Area 9. This is the fourth year he has been getting his eyes checked.”It’s a way to make sure he doesn’t have any vision problems,” said Tribfelner. “The staff is very nice, and it is a long wait.But it’s well worth it.”

There are 114 volunteers at the Opening Eyes screening, with a majority being optometrists.

“All lenses and frames are donated,” said Irion. “Internationally, we are doing the same testing, and we save all the data (from the athletes) from around the world. There are 750 screenings going on around the world.”

Irion said the Opening Eyes program normally gives away close to 500 to 900 glasses to athletes every year.

Similar Posts:

• Opening Eyes with Santinelli
• Donate or Volunteer- Optical Non-Profits
• Eyes Of Faith Partners With RestoringVision.org
• Optical Volunteering Booms
• Charitable Donations – So Many Needs, How to Decide