John was slowly going blind with cataracts
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© CBM
The cataract in 3 year-old John's left eye is so bad you can clearly see it in this photo. But when we met him, our doctors discovered that he was actually going blind in both eyes.
As someone who cares as much as I sense you do, your heart will go out to little John.
You see, for a little boy of just three years, he’s been through so much.
First of all, he was born one of twins. But tragically, his twin brother did not survive his first day in the world. A devastating blow to his parents.
Then two months later, he was diagnosed with a life-threatening condition called hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is an abnormal build-up of the brain’s normal water-like fluid that is present at birth. Fortunately, his doctors were able to treat him quickly and he recovered really well.
But then when he was three years old, his father noticed a pale, cloudy spot developing in his left eye. A cataract.
We meet children just like John every day
The simple truth is that we meet children just like John every single day of the year. And right now, one of them needs your help. Please will you reach out and help a child like John by sending a gift today?
Your caring generosity, will save this child from going blind, and help to transform his or her life in so many wonderful ways.
Just as the generosity of another CBM supporter like you has changed John’s life.
Here’s a little of what Ophthalmic Nurse, Sister Jane told us about him…
“It was John’s father who first noticed a spot in his eye. At first his parents didn’t know what it was, but his grandmother knew it was a cataract, because she’d seen them before. She told them to bring John to the CBM funded eye clinic here at Kikuyu Hospital.
It didn’t take me long to confirm that it was indeed a cataract in John’s left eye. It was quite large and clear to see. But I also found a smaller cataract developing in John’s right eye as well. This came as quite a shock to his parents. Especially when I told them he needed surgery soon, or he would go completely blind.”
Can you imagine how terrifying that would have been for a child of just three?
A life of darkness. With no friends. No schooling. And living in extreme poverty… no chance to make his way in the world.
There's another child like John waiting for your help
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A nurse at the CBM funded Kikuyu Eye Clinic in Kenya removes John's bandages
There’s another child out there right now, in Kenya, Uganda, and other parts of Africa where good people like you are acting through CBM Ireland to help the most vulnerable people. A child just like John.
This child needs your help. Now. Today.
Because with your generous gift, you can reach out and give this child the sight saving cataract operation he or she urgently needs.
That’s how John’s eyesight was saved.
You might be interested to hear that the word ‘cataract’ is Latin for waterfall. This is because the ancient Romans described the experience as though you were trying to look through a waterfall. Your vision becomes severely blurred. Washed out of all colour. Flat and dark. But then it gets worse. You lose your sight completely…
…unless someone steps in to provide the replacement lens surgery you desperately need to see again.
John's cataract surgery
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The miracle of sight restored, thanks to someone like you
That’s the situation John was in when a CBM supporter like you sent a kind and loving gift to pay for his surgery. A simple 20 minute operation to remove the soft watery ‘lenses’ from John’s eyes, and replace them with special artificial replacement lenses.
The very next day, John’s bandages came off, and he saw the world again in all its glory.
He saw his mother by his bedside, and hugged her tight, marvelling at her face and all the glorious colour in the world, after having seen things through such a haze for so long.
And so began the first day of John’s renewed childhood.
What a magical gift to be able to give a child. Not just sight, but the beginning of a renewed, happier life, full of promise for the future
You can probably imagine the joy that John’s mother, Teresia, felt when John’s bandages came off.
She sent a kind message to the people who paid for his surgery, and the other wonderful CBM supporters who help other children just like him.…
“Thank you so much! I’m so excited about John’s future. Now he has a chance to go to school, because now he can see! I’m so thankful to you, and God should bless you for the good work you’re doing.”
This joy is only possible thanks to the amazing generosity and compassion of people like you. Through your loving gifts, children like John get to see the world again in all its glory.
Every time you give… your support touches and changes someone’s life.
Cataract surgery for a child like John 
