For many women, planning their pregnancy is one of the most exciting and
happiest times of their lives. For others, it can be a stressful and
confusing time. In fact, half of U.S. pregnancies are not planned at
all. Regardless of the circumstances, one of the most important things
women can do is to prepare their bodies and minds for optimal health
during their childbearing years (age 15-44). In this episode of the Health Matters at Work video podcast series, our
host Jerry Franz sat down with representatives of three of Community
Health Charities’ member charities to discuss a topic of common
interest, pregnancy planning.
Nineteen-year-old Bryant had extremely poor vision from a young age and the glasses he wore didn't help, until one day he asked his family to drive him to the clinic. It was at the Community Vision Outreach Clinic at the Prevent Blindness Georgia office that Bryant was given hope of vision once again.
Bryant came to the Community Vision Outreach Clinic at the Prevent Blindness Georgia offices when he was 19 years old. His mother, father and uncle brought him because his vision had been extremely poor from a young age, and the glasses he was wearing were not helping him see. Fortunately, all of his family decided to take advantage of the free vision exams being offered. Bryant, along with his mother, father and uncle, were examined by Rachael Sweeney, O.D., who determined that the whole family needed vision correction.
Bryant’s exam showed that he was legally blind without correction and that glasses would only improve his vision to 20/50. He was referred to Rachael’s husband, Dr. David Sweeney, also an optometrist at InSight Eyecare in Atlanta. Dr. Sweeney specializes in contact lenses that help restore vision in patients with irregular corneas from either eye surgery or eye diseases (such as keratoconus). Dr. Sweeney designed contact lenses especially for Bryant to correct the serious nearsightedness and astigmatism in both eyes. These new breathable, high-technology lenses were donated by InSight and improved Bryant’s vision to 20/30. In addition, Southern Optical, an Essilor lens lab in Norcross, agreed to donate a pair of glasses for Bryant with his special, strong prescription.
Bryant’s ability to see is now nearly normal, but his family members could not afford $30 each for glasses needed to restore their vision. Through the work of Peggy Mackenzie, Director of Adult Services, Prevent Blindness Georgia donors were able to pay the cost of glasses for Bryant’s mother, father and uncle.
Even with free eye exams, many people cannot afford the $30 to buy the glasses they need. Your gift of $30 will provide glasses to someone whose quality of life can be immediately improved. Please visit www.pbga.orgor call 404-266-0071 to find out how you can help.
Nineteen-year-old Bryant had extremely poor vision from a young age and the glasses he wore didn't help, until one day he asked his family to drive him to the clinic. It was at the Community Vision Outreach Clinic at the Prevent Blindness Georgia office that Bryant was given hope of vision once again.
Bryant came to the Community Vision Outreach Clinic at the Prevent Blindness Georgia offices when he was 19 years old. His mother, father and uncle brought him because his vision had been extremely poor from a young age, and the glasses he was wearing were not helping him see. Fortunately, all of his family decided to take advantage of the free vision exams being offered. Bryant, along with his mother, father and uncle, were examined by Rachael Sweeney, O.D., who determined that the whole family needed vision correction. 
