Back in Nepal / Eye
Cris and I are back in Nepal where she continues her work on the UNICEF funded early grade reading project through World Education.
It has been an interesting trip. I developed a problem with my right eye when I landed in Dubai, and by the time I got to Kathmandu last Tuesday evening it was clear that something was really wrong. Cris took me directly to CIWEC travel medicine clinic where they set me up with an ophthalmologist early the next morning (Wednesday). Dr. Meenu is a cornea expert, but she wanted me to see the retina guy at the Triphuvan Teaching Hospital. She immediately put me in her car and drove me there. Dr Pratap examined me and saw two spots on my retina that were torn and bleeding. He immediately took me into the laser room and repaired as much of the damage as he could. I saw him this past Monday for a follow-up and he was really happy with the results. Since this whole thing started I have had huge black floaters in the middle of my right (shooting) eye, but they should begin to resolve in the next few months. It was all a bit unsettling, and I am so grateful to Dr. Pratap for caring for me.
Here he is on the left with some of his students.
And with a patient.
I learned pretty quickly that Nepal has a great reputation for eye treatment in the developing world.
Dr. Pratap’s notes.
Here’s the clinic. Officially the B.P. Koirala Lions Centre for Ophthalmic Studies. Note the word “Lions” in the name. The Lions Club is famous for it’s support around eye issues, but I had no idea their reach extended as far as Nepal.
I debated with myself a long time about posting this. Blogs like this are by definition self serving and ego based, but I have always tried to steer away from having it be about me, per se. But weird things can happen when one travels, and I wanted to share my good fortune in getting such prompt and excellent treatment, and to give thanks to all the people here who have helped me. Cris has been a brick through this whole thing and so patient with my worries. I also really want to thank Peggy Ross for getting on the phone and setting up an appointment with my ophthalmologist in Springfield soon after I get back to the States. Her skills at getting through bureaucratic systems are unmatched.
NAMI Waco Talk
I had the chance to walk around Waco a bit this morning before I started working on tonight’s talk.
There was a public ceremony today in the park across from my hotel memorializing fallen police officers. I am always drawn to a crowd (which were behind me when I took this photo).
I learned that Dr Pepper was invented in Waco, and the amazing Cynthia Cunningham from NAMI Waco gave me a bag with some gifts, including these two bottles of Dr Pepper (made with real cane sugar!). I am drinking one now and it is wonderful.
My talk tonight went pretty well; I was nervous at first, but seemed to do ok. I’d give myself a B, but I am still learning. Lots of folks came up to me afterwards and were so nice and complimentary. If you are looking to do a bit of good in this world, send NAMI Waco some money through their site, or if you live in an area with a local NAMI group, think about volunteering. They are doing amazing and important work. / I also met some great folks from the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute. Coby Chase was familiar with the suitcases project and drove up from Austin where he works lobbying the state on mental health issues. He mentioned their site okaytosay.org which is really interesting and inspiring. So much of the work NAMI, Meadows, and like minded organizations do is related to reducing the stigma of mental illness. I am so grateful to Cynthia for connecting the suitcases to her work, and for giving me the chance to meet so many wonderful people who work so hard to improve the lives of families who struggle with mental health issues .
That’s it for tonight. Back home tomorrow. Thanks, as usual, for following.
Willard Suitcases / Chapin House / NAMI Waco
I took this photo in the early 1980s at the very beginning of my connection with Willard. It is still one of my favorites from the “Silent Voices” project.
Here are a few shots from my recent uploads to the suitcases site.
I’m not exactly sure what the white fabric object is in Kenneth Q’s case, but it is interesting. The orange toothbursh is kind of nice.
Elizabeth C’s dress is so beautiful.
The cotton fabric is soft and wonderful.
There are 3 different places on the above photograph where I had to obscure Amelia’s surname, and it still makes me sad every time I have to do so. The Office of Mental Health pr guy told me a few years ago that it was necessary due to the stigma of mental illness. It is precisely that attitude that prolongs that stigma; the Willard patients deserve to be recognized as being more than just patients at a New York State asylum.
On Wednesday, I fly to Texas to present the suitcases project at a dinner sponsored by NAMI Waco. Here is a link to the event. If you are in the area, it would be great to see you and make a connection.
Thanks for following.
Tom
I am sitting in a local coffee shop working on email and while looking out the window to see how much time I have left on my parking meter, I noticed my pal Tom Schack making a radical 5 point turn in the middle of Amity Street. I grabbed my camera and took a quick photo before he went into the bank. That is the Outer Stylie van in the background.
Have a great week, everyone.
Jon Crispin's Notebook 
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