“I started wearing glasses when I was eight years old.  When you are a kid, it’s really fun to wear glasses; it’s a new toy.  However, once I began middle school, I was embarrassed to wear them, so I never did.  My eye sight got worse over the years and I eventually needed to use them all day long.

I was always involved in many activities.  I danced since I was 13 years old.  My glasses would slip off, get crooked, or fall off.  I hated wearing glasses.  I saw a video of eye surgery when I was a teenager, desired it, but was scared.  I started wearing contacts in college, but this was painful because of my allergies.  Eventually, I went back to wearing glasses and only used contacts on special occasions.  I set a goal for myself that when I graduated and found a professional job I would reward myself with eye surgery.

Just a week after being hired, I registered online for the eye surgery and was entered for a drawing to receive the cost of one eye free.  I thought to myself, what are my chances? I set up an initial appointment with Dr. Bowers at Piedmont Eye Center and after I was approved for the surgery, I scheduled my appointment and was very excited.  The day of surgery, I was very anxious and nervous.  Dr. Bowers and his team were very comforting.  They talked to me the entire time and told me how great I was doing.  This helped me a lot.  When they finished the procedure, I could already notice the difference, but all I wanted to do was go to sleep.  The next morning, I opened my eyes and was able to see the alarm clock across the room, which I was never able to see before.  It was a miracle!  I cried and thanked God.  I was very grateful and am blessed to have great eyesight.

The story does not end there.  Three months later, while vacationing, I received a phone call from Piedmont Eye Center.  I was very confused as to why they were calling.  I had forgotten all about the drawing, I was just happy to see! When they told me I won the drawing and that they were sending a check to my house for half of the amount of the procedure, I was overjoyed.  This was a double blessing! I thanked them, thanked God, and really just felt very blessed.”