Free cataract surgery offered through Gift of Sight program

DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) - Eye Center South in Dothan sees firsthand how disabilities can affect our everyday life.

They have a specific program designed to help those in need.

Kimberly Veal was one of those people.

Veal has worn glasses her whole life and these past few years have been a challenge.

“It’s hard to do daily things like cooking a meal, washing laundry, even taking care of our pets,” said Veal.

She reminisced on kayaking trips with her family. Those cherished memories have a place in her heart, along with the memory of being unable to enjoy those times comfortably.

This is about life’s quality and there were a couple of options to fix it; one of those being cataract surgery, but even that posed another challenge.

The surgery was about $3,000.

Thousands of dollars that Veal did not have due to her husband recovering from heart issues that led to his retirement.

“When he had to retire, that wiped out everything, what savings we had, we couldn’t afford the insurance,” said Veal.

That is where her saving grace came in.

“This Gift of Sight program has been around for 30 years, said Dr. Sebastian Heersink, MD. “It’s a good option to help patients who could not otherwise afford it.”

Multiple requirements needed to be met to be considered for the program.

Veal happened to meet all of them and was selected; a moment she has been praying for a long time.

Dr. Heersink met with Veal twice, once in June for the initial appointment and in August for surgery day.

The surgery was quick and successful.

Veal was smiling from ear to ear overjoyed to be on the road to better vision.

The program not only gave her the gift of sight, but another chance to enjoy this thing called life.

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