BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

23/07/2006

A summer in Charlotte for youths from Belarus

Before going home, they'll get free eye, medical and dental checkups

Think of summer vacation and the first thing to come to mind usually isn't the eye doctor.

But for 14 kids from Belarus, a trip to the eye doctor was first on their agenda when they arrived here June 25. The kids -- ages seven to 16 -- had appointments over three days at Horizon Eye Care's Cotswold office. They got free eye exams and glasses.

The kids, hosted by members of Lakeview Church in Monroe, are here as part of the American Belarussian Relief Organization's summer camp program. The program gives the kids a chance to get medical attention and away from any radiation left behind from the Chernobyl nuclear plant disaster. The very least you can do is help, said Dr. Rick Weidman, and become "a part of the bigger picture."

And while taking any kid to the doctor can be tricky enough, most of these kids didn't speak English and travel with an interpreter. Weidman said that while it goes a little slower, it's something you take your time with and patiently wait because the kids are just glad to be here. Radiation-related problems seemed to be rare, and the most serious conditions found were fairly regular things, like needing a pair of glasses or amblyopia (lazy eye).

The doctors at Horizon have been donating their services for several years. Some of Horizon Eye Care employees are members of the church.

Before flying back in August, they also will get their teeth checked out and medical checkups.

Source:

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/news/local/states/north_carolina/counties/mecklenburg/15102880.htm

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