Technical Preparation

I have such appreciation for and am so grateful to: 1, My Supervisor Jan; 2, Tech Supervisors-Tina, Claire, and Kathy; 3, Technicians-Anthony, Amy, and Christy. Thank you for being so willing to assist me in this effort to bring my skills to such a level that I may be of assistance to the Mercy Ships Ophthalmic Crew. Your teaching and patience have already been invaluable, and I look forward to continuing this educational experience with you.

I learned some technical skills 20 years ago, but the facility at which I worked didn't require the level of skill from technicians as that required at my current employer. For instance, retinoscopy was always performed by the M.D. , autorefractors were used in the screening process, only air puff tonometry was performed by the technicians, and few techs had the ability to use the slit lamp.

I am feeling much better about my ability to perform refractions, I have learned some slit lamp skills, and performed a very poor retinoscope evaluation. I am hoping to learn applanation tonometry and Tonopen tonometry this coming week. As I attain these skills, I will then practice, practice, practice.

Anthony recommended a book called The Ophthalmic Assistant. Thank you, Anthony! I study this book every evening, and it helps me to further understand what I covered with the Techs earlier in the day.

Information about Togo

The capital city of Togo is Lome, and this is the city in which Julia and I will serve. The Africa Mercy arrived in Lome the week before last. Mercy Ships volunteers have begun their pre-screening processes, and they have begun serving the citizens of Togo.

Togo is a very small country, long and slender, in West Africa. It is sandwiched between Ghana to the West and Benin to the East. It was under French Colonial rule until 1967 when it gained independence and Eyadema became its President. There is an area in Northern Togo which has gained status as a World Heritage Site because of its unique and interesting residential and farming structures, which are quite beautiful.

Unfortunately, for many British, Dutch, and French Colonies, there was a price to be paid for independence-sometimes in the form of dictatorial rule and/or economical struggle for the citizens of the former colonies. Certainly, the Togolese have suffered some of both. There is a Presidential election looming in 2010.

The Lome area of Togo is quite warm, but this is tempered by ocean breezes to the south and a lagoon to the north. The rainy season extends from April through July.

We're getting closer!

Julia and I have found a flight on Air France so we can go to Togo together. We'll be leaving from Seattle on May 7 at 1:45 p.m. We'll fly into Paris for a five-hour layover, then we'll head to Lome where we'll arrive at 6:50 p.m. on May 8. The flight is quite expensive, but the living fees on board the ship will be fairly low.

I'll begin working with the technical staff at NW Eyes next Tuesday and hope they can bring me up to speed over the next two months.