This past weekend, June 16-18, was the Saskatchewan Special Olympics Summer Games and they were hosted right here in Moose Jaw! Approximately 250 athletes participated and there were over 150 volunteers in total. PECC is proud to have supplied several of those volunteers! One of the many “clinics” set up for the athletes at Mosaic Place was called Opening Eyes – the athletes received a very in-depth vision and eye health screening. Drs. Lins and Gatrell were happy to do their part checking the ocular health of each athlete that came to the clinic, as well as update their eyeglass prescription when required. The clinic was incredibly busy and hectic at times, but was a very rewarding experience for everyone involved. Each athlete received either a pair of prescription glasses, non-prescription sunglasses, prescription sports goggles or non-prescription sports goggles depending on their specific needs. This was all done free of charge thanks to sponsors such as Safilo (supplied all of the frames) and Essilor (supplied the prescription lenses).
Our optometric assistants Kathy and Pam were very helpful fitting, adjusting and ordering the appropriate eyewear. Gail, one of our newest optometric assistants, did a great job preparing the athletes for the doctors with the autorefractor and checking the eye pressure. Also a special thanks to Bev, one of our retired optometric assistants, and Gail’s daughter Jenn, a former optometric assistant herself, for lending a big hand!
Many others deserve big thanks including the clinic director Dr. Irene Mastido-Dao and Tom Weisgerber. Irene practices in Winnipeg and Tom is an optician in the Toronto area. Both have been involved in eye care at the Special Olympics events for several years. There were many volunteers (including a handful of pilots from 15 Wing) with no optometric office experience, but they quickly caught on and were a great asset.
Congratulations to all of the athletes that participated in the games!
Primary Eye Care Centre 