I recently received lasik surgery from Hoopes Vision. They generously donated the procedure for a few reasons. I will now be able to wear sunglasses to prevent my eyes from getting sunburnt while I ride from Idaho Falls to Huntington Beach, but more importantly to help me with my everyday life. I often dropped my glasses and had my dog pick them up for me. Needless to say, when I got my glasses back they were covered in slobber. In most cases a little (sometimes a lot) of dog slobber wouldn’t be a problem. However, having limited dexterity made it close to impossible to clean them. These are only two out of many different issues that having glasses or wearing contacts presents. Those of you that need one or the other to see can agree, they are a PAIN!

The surgery has helped me better understand another concept that can apply to almost any accomplishment, victory, or happy ending. The first week after the type of lasik I received (PRK), was difficult.  My eyes were extremely light sensitive, it was difficult to see, eye drops are required every hour while awake, and it felt like there was something constantly in my eye the whole time. In fact, I still need drops several times a day and I still cannot see very well. However, good vision, like anything else worth having, is worth going through a difficult time or process to get. This procedure was a good reminder that all the pain and struggle from training will be worth holding a world record, and especially worth helping other spinal cord injury patients become more independent through therapy.