Mark Colip, O.D.

This mission trip was typical of the other Medical Wings International trips that I have attended; there was a high need for basic medical care among a people with limited access to such care. Our Team for this trip was much like others, most Primary Care areas were represented and assembled from various cities and states across the United States including; Dallas, Denver, Maryland, Chicago, California, Oklahoma, Florida, Iowa, North Carolina and Montana. The Team assembled at Miami International airport prior to a 6 hour flight to Lima, Peru in South America. Several of the Team members for this trip had participated in previous trips so it was a sort of reunion for those members, while welcoming new faces as well.

The Clinic set-up in St. Vincent occurred early in the morning on our first day after travelling most of the night to arrive. Upon arrival at the site we were welcomed by applause from the hundred plus local residents that had already assembled in lines in anticipation of our arrival, this was an emotional moment for me. The sun was already hot and the pavement was reflecting even more heat, but these people wanted to express their appreciation in advance for our efforts.

After set-up, Glenda Johnson, the Founder and President of Medical Wings, assembled the Team and gave basic instructions and held the traditional moment of silence for prayers, clarity, whatever everyone needed before launching into the first long, hot and busy day. As is typical with these MASH-type set-ups, it takes some time for each Team member and specialty group to work-out their patient flow issues and settle into an efficient pace and routine. Likewise the crowd has to figure out the mazes of lines and flow that they ultimately need to navigate to receive the medical care that many desperately need. At one point an estimated four hundred people were standing in line.

Our day in the Eye care tent revved-up quickly as each member of the eye care team for this trip had worked together on previous missions. Not long into the day a mother pushed a young boy into our tent (in a new wheelchair he had just received from Medical Wings - several wheelchairs had been brought on this trip for distribution) and asked if there was anything that could be done regarding his vision. The young boy suffered from what appeared to be cerebral palsy. Upon closer examination of his eyes it was quite apparent that his blindness was likely cortical in origin and therefore there was nothing that we, or anyone for that matter, could offer them with regard to restoring or improving his vision, the first big disappointment of the day. The mother clearly knew it was unlikely we could help her son with his vision however she had to ask and indicated she was very grateful for the new wheelchair and the professional assessment and opinion regarding his chances for vision someday. There was clearly some relief in her knowing his prognosis rather than simply wishing and wondering.

For 3 days our routine was similar, arrive early in the morning and set-up (all of our equipment had to be packed away and stored at night) and see patients as efficiently as possible while treating everything that walked in the door. Our days involved examinations and treating and prescribing simple things like reading glasses for elderly people that had not been able to read or sew well for many years; to diagnosis and initiating treatment for more complex and potentially blinding eye diseases such as glaucoma. Many children exhibited high need for significant prescriptions that would certainly impact their ability to perform in school and work. One young girl was literally jumping for joy at the new vision provided by her glasses. Regardless of the complexity of the diagnosis, the appreciation expressed by all of the people was genuine.

Our days and the lines of people that we served were both long, but the satisfaction gained from knowing that we were truly making an immediate difference in their lives and community leaves a lasting impression on each of us. Following each trip I always reflect and marvel at all of the details that go into the planning of each mission and I am very thankful for the extensive behind-the-scenes efforts that take place both before and during our trips. These details are superbly managed and coordinated by Medical Wings International Founder and President, Glenda Johnson. Her commitment and calling to make each of these missions possible is evident in everything that takes place. Another key person and behind the scenes contributor is Mission Director Anne Leduc; as well as Glenda’s many colleagues from American Airlines - both in the US and on the ground in our host countries.

I urge anyone considering getting involved in this type of international mission work to take the leap and jump in. This was my third trip and each time I have returned home exhausted, yet enriched by the experience and with a new perspective on life and our world and a genuine appreciation for the many blessings we have living in the United States. Won’t you consider getting involved and sharing your talents and blessings with others in need?

Doctor Mark Colip, O.D.

University of Chicago

This mission trip was typical of the other Medical Wings International trips that I have attended; there was a high need for basic medical care among a people with limited access to such care. Our Team for this trip was much like others, most Primary Care areas were represented and assembled from various cities and states across the United States including; Dallas, Denver, Maryland, Chicago, California, Oklahoma, Florida, Iowa, North Carolina and Montana. The Team assembled at Miami International airport prior to a 6-hour flight to Lima, Peru in South America. Several of the Team members for this trip had participated in previous trips so it was a sort of reunion for those members, while welcoming new faces as well.

The clinic set-up in St. Vincent occurred early in the morning on our first day after traveling most of the night to arrive. Upon arrival at the site, we could hear the welcoming applauses from the hundreds of local residents assembled in lines in anticipation of our arrival, this was an emotional moment for me. The sun was already hot and the pavement was reflecting even more heat, but these people wanted to express their appreciation in advance for our efforts.

After set-up, Glenda Johnson, the Founder and President of Medical Wings, assembled the Team and gave basic instructions and held the traditional moment of silence for prayers, clarity, whatever everyone needed before launching into the first long, hot and busy day. As is typical with these MASH-type set-ups, it takes some time for each Team member and specialty group to workout their patient flow issues and settle into an efficient pace and routine. Likewise, the crowd has to figure out the mazes of lines and flow that they ultimately need to navigate to receive the medical care that many desperately need. At one point an estimated four hundred people were standing in line.

Our day in the Eye care tent revved-up quickly as each member of the eye care team for this trip had worked together on previous missions. Not long into the day a mother pushed a young boy into our tent (in a new wheelchair he had just received from Medical Wings - several wheelchairs had been brought on this trip for distribution) and asked if there was anything that could be done regarding his vision. The young boy suffered from what appeared to be cerebral palsy. Upon closer examination of his eyes it was quite apparent that his blindness was likely cortical in origin and therefore there was nothing that we, or anyone for that matter, could offer them with regard to restoring or improving his vision, the first big disappointment of the day. The mother clearly knew it was unlikely we could help her son with his vision however; she had to ask and indicated she was very grateful for the new wheelchair and the professional assessment and opinion regarding his chances for vision someday. There was clearly some relief in her knowing his prognosis rather than simply wishing and wondering.

For 3 days our routine was similar, arrive early in the morning and set-up (all of our equipment had to be packed away and stored at night) and see patients as efficiently as possible while treating everything that walked in the door. Our days involved examinations and treating and prescribing simple things like reading glasses for elderly people that had not been able to read or sew well for many years; to diagnosis and initiating treatment for more complex and potentially blinding eye diseases such as glaucoma. Many children exhibited high need for significant prescriptions that would certainly affect their ability to perform in school and work. One young girl was literally jumping for joy at the new vision provided by her glasses. Regardless of the complexity of the diagnosis, the appreciation expressed by all of the people was genuine.

Our days and the lines of people that we served were both long, but the satisfaction gained from knowing that we were truly making an immediate difference in their lives and community leaves a lasting impression on each of us. Following each trip I always reflects and marvels at all of the details that go into the planning of each mission and I am very thankful for the extensive behind-the-scenes efforts that take place both before and during our trips. These details superbly managed and coordinated by Medical Wings International Founder and President, Glenda Johnson. Her commitment and calling to make each of these missions possible is evident in everything that takes place. Another key person and behind the scenes contributor is Mission Director Anne Leduc; as well as Glenda’s many colleagues from American Airlines - both in the US and on the ground in our host countries.

I urge anyone considering getting involved in this type of international mission work to take the leap and jump in. This was my third trip, each time I have returned home exhausted, yet enriched by the experience, and with a new perspective on life, our world, and a genuine appreciation for the many blessings we have living in the United States. Please consider becoming a member of Medical Wings International and share your talents and blessings with others in need.

Better Vision with help from Medical Wings International
2008-11-22 00:13:56

Better Vision with help from Medical Wings International

Susan Berry, Eye Care Tech.

Joining Medical Wings International, as an eye care technician, is one of the greatest things I have ever done. That was five years ago and I am still eagerly awaiting each upcoming trip. We hope to improve the daily lives of the people we see in our clinics. Vision is something Americans take for granted; imagine your life without seeing clearly. It amazes me how many people are willing to wait all day in sweltering weather for a chance to see an eye doctor. The majority of them have never had a vision screening. Providing someone his or her first pair of eyeglasses is one of the most rewarding acts of kindness I have ever done. MWI doctors are not only able to correct their vision, but also treat a wide variety of eye problems from simple allergies, removal of foreign bodies, treatment of eye infections, and testing for glaucoma. We come with a wide range of eye medications donated by pharmaceutical companies to treat the many problems we encounter.

Medical Wings International welcomes volunteers to help assist the eye team. We are in need of vision screeners, doctors, and eye technicians who will work with the team. In addition, our eye doctors would benefit from portable eye equipment, such as hand held auto refractors, retiniscopes, and lensometers.

Donations of all kinds of eyeglasses are needed. Sunglasses of all sizes are exrremely helpful. Many of the people we care for work out in the hot sun all day and have no eye protection. World wide adults over the age of 40 typically need two pair of eyeglasses; a pair for distance and a pair for reading. On an average MWI mission, we provide six to eight hundred pairs of glasses to those in need. These donated eyeglasses come from many different sources; some are off the rack readers, some come from the Lions Club, and many are donated to our eye doctors private practices.

As an eye care technician, I extend to you a global invitation to help underprivileged families throughout the world. By your generous contributions, volunteering your time, you can make a difference.