'Now I can see': Eye clinic's day of giving gives the gift of sight
There are plenty of ways to give at the holidays, but one eye clinic in St. John's has been giving the gift of sight this holiday season.
The Jackman Eye Institute held a day of giving Saturday afternoon, providing free eye exams and glasses to those in need.
The eye practice partnered with the Lions Club to arrange for three optometrists to provide the free exams, and several local businesses donated coffee and sandwiches and muffins.
Anna Doyle attended the event and credited ophthalmologist and eye surgeon Dr. Christopher Jackman and his staff with changing her life.
"He did my eyes for me. I was a high-functioning blind person and I couldn't see a thing," said Doyle.
"Now I can see, and he gave me that sight. I'm so thankful for him and I'm so thankful for what's he's doing right now for everybody here."
She said the day of giving not only gave free exams to those who needed them, but it also allowed people to see doctors who are in high demand.
"He's so busy, it takes months and years sometimes to see this guy, and here he gave up his free time just to open his doors to help the community, which is fantastic. I'm so happy."
'I couldn't afford it'
Geraldine Noseworthy got an eye exam and free glasses at the event, and says it would have likely been several hundred dollars if she had had to pay for the glasses herself — quite an expense for a senior on a tight budget.
"I've been gone a long time now without the glasses because I couldn't afford it," Noseworthy said.
"But I'm quite happy with what they're doing here today."
