10k run in Strathclyde
It’s always a bonus after a busy day and travelling to get a chance to sleep in, and this morning I got that bonus . . . and then it was up-and-to-it to help Karen and CBM Scotland team to man the marquee at the 10k Charity Fun Run in Strathclyde Country Park. The area where the roadshow and the run was being held was beautifully situated on the Loch, with the rowing club towering over the park. It was a bit muddy, however, and shoes were squelched within an inch of their lives. In the CBM marquee Karen had organised to have a giant “Operation” game set-up which was loads of fun and attracted kids of all ages.
The run started and I did not envy the runners. It amazes me sometimes how unfit I really am now, compared to when I was swimming. Watching these people run for the charity, however, inspired me again to start swimming again in an effort to get some of that toned muscle and healthy body back. So congrats to the all the runners for making the 10k around the Loch.
Once they had all finished I then was asked to help hand out the prizes. Unfortunately, due to the bad weather, many people had left all ready and there were only a few there to receive their prizes. It was a great day – even though the weather wasn’t the best – and I firmly believe that if they make this a yearly event then it can only get more and more successful.
After the race and prize giving, the road show continued on at the Glo Centre in Motherwell. By this stage I was pleased to be reaching the end as I was nearly all talked out, though sad as well as the whole weekend had been such a great adventure, and I had met so many wonderful people. The Glo Centre event was very inspirational, after some music to get proceedings kicked off, we had the main part where the various charities could stand and talk about their work. In between each talk, a little team of actors would do a little skit illustrating some of the moral points so lacking or needed in today’s society. Then, it came to my turn to talk about CBM.
I will admit, I was very nervous, but started off well . . . (I feel another da da da dummmmm is appropriate here). All the talking had worn my wee throat out and that horrible dry tickle decended onto my tonsils. I had to stop and cough a few times (apparently only three times), but everyone was lovely about it, and I have been told that the coughing wasn’t as bad as I though. My main concern, of course, was that I was getting CBM’s message out there, so here’s hoping it was successful on that front.
The weekend was over! I must say, I didn’t know what to expect, but I did have a fantastic time, and I would love to do it again. It is, kind of, a subtle feeling of pleasure to be helping others out, a kind of pride in the fact that you can overcome your own life and be able to aid people in any way they need. If I can inspire others to do the same, so make their lives more than the mundane and apathetic, then I can feel truly accomplished.
The School Run
Today was the day that I would be talking in two schools, John Ogilvie High School and St John’s Primary School. Talking in schools has always been my favourite way to talk about the Paralympics (and now CBM) as the enthusiasm and interest is always so high. At John Ogilvie (a rather amazing looking school by the way – HUGE) I was set to talk to both 6th and 5th formers. The talk, I believe, went quite well. I spoke about being born with my disability, my experiences at school and the inclusion that I felt was so important for people with disabilities, my time at the Paralympics, my studies, and finally my work with CBM. Then came question time (da da da dummmmmm), in typical teen style, no one was game enough to raise their hand . . .
The moment was saved by some of the teachers. A few questions came my way, and a few students even felt brave enough to finally raise a hand and ask some rather intelligent questions (not implying that the students aren’t intelligent, but after silence filling the room for what felt like hours, it felt nice that my talk had inspired some curiosity). The best question that was asked by one of the students went along these lines – “Do you notice any difference between the way various cultures treat the disabled?”
I could only answer this question based on my experiences in the countries I have been to (mostly Europe, America, and Australia), but Karen (Garrott) leapt in and saved the moment by talking about the more incontrovertible differences between, say, the UK and Africa (thanks Karen). I find that this moment reflected a realisation on my part – I feel that my understanding and knowledge of CBM, whilst growing, still has a way to go, but experience and discussion will enable me to further talk with ease about such matters. After question time, the students left and Karen, Jess (friend) and I left with some wonderful support pledged by the school for CBM.
There is always a break between these things, and we had morning tea for ours. Then it was onto St John’s.
I am very aware of the overt differences between high school students and primary school students. This difference is inhibition. Whilst teens are self conscious about drawing attention to themselves, primary school aged children just . . . let it all hang out (for want of a better pun). They have no fear about drawing attention to themselves, they are usually enthralled by me (not that I find this goes to my head much . . . hmmmm), and show absolutely no fear in possibly asking the wrong question (of which, in my opinion, there are no wrong questions).
The students at St John’s were brilliant. I altered my talk to a more personable level, left out a few, perhaps, confusing details, spoke more about the Paralympics than anything else, and when I opened up to questions, well, the kids were talking over each other to try and get their questions heard. (At St John’s, they have integrated lessons with disabled kids, and they were demanding the most to be heard – go them!!!)
Questions from these kids were great, I am often amazed at how intelligent the questions can be from kids so young. Of course, the interest is in my disability and the Paralympics, so unfortunately CBM disappeared a little behind the mire of interrogation (however, Karen saved this in the end, of course, and reminded them about the fun run for the following day). Then, it was time to leave . . . or time to try and leave. Mobbed by littlies, I couldn’t move an inch, and continued to answer questions as I edged to the door. After promising to return (hopefully with my Paralympic Medals next time), Karen and I finally left the building, again, after a promise of support from the school.
So Friday, perhaps I should write an ode to the brilliant Friday that was, but no, I won’t, all I will say is that you can never underestimate school children, as much as the media paints them with a tainted brush, I find that most kids are willing to listen, be motivated, and achieve, if given the chance. These two schools, though so different, are now aware of many new ideas – that those with disabilities can achieve, that those with disabilities can be included, and that those with disabilities around the world should not be forgotten.
As awareness of CBM spreads, I feel that it is the schools which are most important in the process of raising CBM’s profile – cause these littlies are our future leaders, workers, inspirers, and need to know that they can change the world for the better.
The economic impact of restoring vision
For years, CBM has needed hard evidence on the economic impact of restoring vision, and now we have it.
A recently completed study in Kenya, Bangladesh and the Philippines showed that following a sight-restoring cataract operation, the average economic gain per family per year is £250. Not much by UK standards, but an awful lot of money for a Bangladeshi family.
A Kenyan woman has her eyes examined for cataract. Photo: CBM.
It costs CBM about £20 to do one cataract surgery, so the return on investment is 1,500%!
In 2010, CBM and its local partners restored eyesight to 644,000 cataract blind people who would otherwise have remained blind, due to poverty. So a bit of maths shows that the global economic impact of CBM’s cataract surgical work comes in at about £160 million. Not bad at all!
Now, we have to get the message across to governments that restoring vision benefits their economies!
Sambani
I couldn’t quite believe what I was hearing! It was such a great moment for Sambani, and he was so honest.
Sambani before surgery.
I met Sambani two days before, indeed depressed and sad. Dr Ute Wiehler has operated his first eye, and I did his second cataract operation two days later. All went well, even better than anticipated! I now saw him playing skittles with Coke bottle tops in the eye hospital courtyard with another boy who was staying in the hospital with his mother.
Sambani is from Kalonga Village in Lilongwe District. He lives with his parents and four siblings. He had been blind for two years, and had stopped going to school last year.
He had been doing well at school, and told me “I was an intelligent boy!” He was in standard 4 but his low vision “made me to be a useless boy” he said. I couldn’t believe what he was saying.
Sambani told me and nurse Rose, that he is now going to continue his education because he is “still young”. He wants to be a driver or a teacher.
Sambani after surgery
It will be great to take Sambani back home today, so he can be with his whole family again, and then start school again next week when school opens for the new year. We will try and meet him again in a few months to see how he is doing.
Pieter, the South African missionary living near Monkey Bay phoned me yesterday. There are many people he has met in the villages who would like to, or need to, come to Nkhoma for their eyes. Lumbani will be heading down on Sunday with the ambulance to help collect them.
We will try and meet with Mary who lives nearby, and see how she is doing, 4 months after her surgery!
Grace and Strength
In Vietnam recently I met an old lady whose husband had just become partially paralysed after a stroke. Their daughter has Down’s Syndrome. The old lady herself has a badly mutilated right hand – the result of an artillery blast that killed the rest of her family when she was a girl.
She was the epitome of hospitality, industry, grace and strength. There is so much we can learn from such people.
Mary from Mangotchi
Mary is young and had been at school until just over a year ago. Now she is totally blind. The brittle undiagnosed Diabetes had metabolically robbed her of her sight in a matter of months. Her sugar was so high when she came to Nkhoma, we had to spend 2 weeks controlling it even before it was safe to think of operating.
Malawi to start Phaco Cataract Operations
So an awesome week, an historic week, and a lot of fun with a few very happy patients!
Nkhoma now has a modern ‘phaco’ cataract surgery service! The first permanent such unit in Malawi. Fantastic.
Although the technique we use for cataract surgery for thousands of operations each year is very very good, and we can perform an operation to treat blindness in 7-8 minutes; the availability of ‘phaco’ allows for a much smaller incision in the eye, and a faster visual recovery. Also less astigmatism (and need for glasses) and glare after surgery. Some of the really good artificial lenses we can use, have a built in UV filter to protect the retina from the sun! Which is nice.
