TWECS COSTA RICA 2018

TWECS COSTA RICA 2018
THANK YOU
If you are up for a unique and memorable experience, consider joining TWECS on our next project to Lima Peru July 2019.

THE MAGIC BOX
Dr. Brad McDougall



TODO CLARO



REFUELLING YOUR EMPATHY
Myra Madrilejos
Trainer – AB & SK
Eye Recommend

HOW LUCKY WE ARE
Dr. Melanie Scott, Ontario


THIS IS WHY IT WAS WORTH IT

Yesterday morning (day 4) we got up and had to be on the road by 5:30am to make the trip across the mountains to service and indigenous group (the Cabécar) and banana plantation workers. What was supposed to be a 3h trip turned into 4.5hrs due to a crash which closed the main highway forcing us to back track and take the windy mountain pass (Gravol was needed).
The area of the Atlantic coastal plane is humid. We all stared sweating immediately after stepping out of our air conditioned bus, causing our clothes to stick to us as we set up the makeshift clinic. Needless to say, by the time we started taking patients (100 had lined up by the time we arrived) I was not in a great mood.
However, once I had an 11 year old girl in front of me with a -10.00 diopters of uncorrected myopia and approximately -4.00 diopters of oblique astigmatism it all became very clear why were had put ourselves through the rigorous clinic schedule and less than comfortable working envy: to give the gift of sight to a girl who has never before seen clearly in her life.


After the clinic was packed up, our host took us down to the nearby Chirripo river. I wasn’t exact sure why but when we got there she explained that for the Cabecar have to cross a river on foot to get to and from their mountain reserve, often carrying their bikes of their backs and wearing boots to protecting snake bites. Shortly after, a teenager came to the river bank to do that very thing. Watching him wade across the river carrying his bike overhead with boots flooded in water was humbling to say the least.
So after an exhausting, rewarding and humbling day. I was up again this morning at 5am ready to do it all over again.
Dr. France Muise, Nova Scotia
THE HEART ALWAYS BREAKS IN LA CARPIO



By Dr. Brad McDougall, BC
A DAY IN THE JUNGLE







By Dr. Dan Bernet
and Dan Bernet Jr. California USA
A SMILE TO REMEMBER IN LA CARPIO
I met this young man in Registration with his mother. When I asked him what his concern was about his vision, he wouldn’t speak and would not look up at me. After a few unsuccessful attempts to get a response, I asked his mother if he could speak and she replied “retardado” which means retarded.
I was fortunate to have been passing by the dispensary and noticed him with Myra. I went over to ask Myra what was the result of his eye exam and she said that he needed some distance glasses. Myra was sorting through the box to find the right size of frame with his prescription and I waited to see his reaction….
He was so happy and everytime his mother asked him if he could see, if he was happy with his glasses he would nod his head repeatedly with this big beautiful smile, and the best part was that he looked up at me to take this photo. I wish you could have seen him Rodger and Robert!!! I was thinking of you guys. We gave him 3 pairs.
Marina

MAKING CONNECTIONS



By Trina Mendria, Victoria BC
I NEVER KNEW THAT TREES HAD LEAVES....
Brenda Lloyd, BC


