"I can see." Gee McNeil, 19, gets free glasses from Remote Area Medical in Oakland

[Generic Other]

Uploaded by roseaguilar3 on Mar 24, 2012

Gee McNeil, 19, and her mom Tyra Manks, stood in line at midnight in the cold on Friday, March 23, to get free vision and dental care from Remote Area Medical (RAM). "I haven't had my eyes checked since elementary school. I used to sit in the front row at school because I couldn't see the chalk board. My teachers used to say, 'Tell your parents to buy your glasses.' But we couldn't afford glasses. My vision is always blurry. I can't drive at night. I'm so excited. I can't wait to put my glasses on."

When Stan Brock started RAM in 1985, never in his wildest dreams did he think his services would be needed in the United States, the wealthiest country in the world.

RAM began as an all-volunteer mobile medical clinic that provided free and immediate health care to people living in remote areas of the Amazon rainforest. In 1992, he was asked to bring the clinic to Knoxville, Tennessee. He was shocked by what he saw.

RAM has conducted 663 clinics in the United States. Brock says the need is the same in every city he's visited. Find RAM's schedule here: http://www.ramusa.org/expeditions/schedule.htm

What does this say about the US government's priorities?

[villager]

1. This is unchecked Communism! Only the extremely wealthy, and corporations, should get things free!

We need to stem the tide of this dangerous empathy immediately!

[RKP5637]

2. What does this say about the US government's priorities? Wars make some people wealthy in

$$$, this does not. We have twisted priorities in the big picture.

[Generic Other]

3. I was in tears watching

Glasses. Every person who wears them knows how life-altering they are. We also know we left heaps of them behind as we aged and our vision and/or fashion tastes evolved. What a travesty that a kid in the USA could go without glasses for lack of an eye exam!

[iemitsu]

4. i agree generic.

i have a love/hate relationship with glasses. i hate to wear them but i love to see.
i have many old pair that i would gladly give to anyone who might need them.