Meet our winners as they look forward to LASIK:
"I have worn glasses for a long time since I have struggled wearing contacts. I have a difficult time putting contacts in and when I did have them in, they would dry out and irritate my eyes. I generally wear my glasses to drive and see things at a distance otherwise I take them off. As a firefighter-paramedic we get calls day and night and having to find or remember my glasses, if I am not wearing them, is one more thing I have to do before going on a call. When on calls my glasses are always getting in the way and making it difficult to concentrate on the task at hand. I have to take my glasses off on the scene because they get in the way. I sacrifice my vision so I can be more comfortable. It is such a relief to know that there will be one less thing that I have to think about on a fire scene or a medical call. I am looking forward to being able to see without glasses and being able to focus on my job while driving responding to fire calls and helping patients."
Thank you Dr. Stahl
Michael Henninger- Firefighter
"I Just first want to say how thankful that I am to have Stahl Vision giving me this blessing of vision. I have spent 20 years of my life wearing glasses and contacts. Always living in fear of something happening to my glasses, since without them I am almost legally blind. Not being able to see has hindered me from so many things. Having glasses are like having a crutch but when my vision is back I will walk again. Stahl Vision is giving me the ability to be a better husband, father, and soldier and to have the opportunity to become a part of the state highway patrol. As a father, I know I'll be able to see my children and play with them, without fear of breaking my glasses. I can be the husband that doesn't have to reach for my glasses to see my beautiful wife and a soldier, which can see the enemy clearer, without relying on the clarity of a lens. I will give my life for this country and Stahl Vision has given me a new life!"
John Schaub- Military
"I started wearing some type of corrective lenses as early as the third grade! I use to struggle in sports when wearing glasses. This trouble caused me to switch to contacts, which was more conducive to play competitive sports. I joined the United States Air Force at age 17. Training required wearing a gas mask along with glasses. Contacts could not be worn due to the sandy terrain. Traveling across the country is not always convenient to pack contacts case, solution, and extra glasses (just in case). Shooting a M16 weapon was difficult for me only because of my vision. I am also an RN that can be put into emergent situations. I sometimes have to deal with my glasses slipping or my contacts causing blurred vision. This is never good at anytime especially in an emergency. LASIK will change how I've been living. There will be no more time spent messing with contacts. I will be able to fall asleep anytime, anywhere I want. This procedure will definitely make a positive impact on my professional military career.
Thank you Dr. Stahl
Erin Schaeffer- RN in Military
"I first want to thank Dr. Stahl and all the staff members for this most generous gift and opportunity. I have been wearing glasses and/or contacts since I was 14 years old and can only imagine what it will be like after getting this procedure. As a military veteran who served for "Operation Provide Comfort" in northern Iraq, and now a Deputy Sheriff, I can only imagine what it will be like to not have glasses on or contacts in. While performing my duties now or then, I would often find that while wearing glasses, the changing weather or conditions would make wearing glasses difficult at times and uncomfortable. I made the change to wearing contacts on a more full time basis several years ago, and yet found those challenging at times as well. While wearing contacts, on several occasions I would find myself trying to adjust them while on scene of an incident or losing one out of my eye entirely. To this date, along with all my equipment, I carry on a daily basis an extra set of contacts and solution so it's on hand in case anything occurs or I lose a contact. After this procedure I will be able to take those items from my equipment bag, and not worry about anything like that occurring again. To conclude, I cannot find the words to thank you enough for this generous gift and opportunity that will make my job in public service so much easier and comfortable."
Todd Cooper- Deputy Sheriff
"Before LASIK I have to worry about late night 911 calls or times when I had to wear my glasses. Now I will be able to respond anytime, regardless of time or weather conditions. Trying to operate when your contacts dry out or your glasses frost over is almost impossible, but thanks to Dr. Stahl and LASIK surgery I never have to worry about that again. Thanks to Stahl Vision and the Vision for Heroes Program I can focus on the important things in life again."
Joe Eblin- Paramedic
"As a firefighter, no longer having to wear glasses improves the ability to perform my job greatly. In the past, I have tried contact lenses, but for middle of the night calls, I would still have to wear my glasses. When wearing my SCBA (Air Pack) and mask, I still have to worry about my glasses slipping off my head while sweating. I'm excited about being able to do my job without worry about glasses, contacts, etc."
Michael Cupp- Firefighter
"I got my first pair of glasses when I was 6 yrs old. I haven't known life without them except when wearing contacts since. There are so many things that are an inconvenience when you have vision as bad as mine. Swimming, playing some sports, even driving can be aggravating. I have limits to what I am allowed to do in the military because I can't wear contacts and if I lose my glasses I can't see. Most of all I look forward to enjoying some of the simple things like walking in the rain, going from cold to hot, falling asleep while watching TV and wrestling with my children without having to worry about my glasses."
James Dunn-Military
"I am very excited about getting laser eye surgery and how it will affect my life at work. I have worn glasses for the past 13 years of my 23-year career in law enforcement. To say it has made my job more difficult is an understatement. Getting in and out of the cruiser with fogged glasses is the worst, not to mention the times I've sat on them, forgotten them, or driven away from a crash scene with them on top of my cruiser. Co-workers have gotten their vision corrected with laser surgery and had great success. Although, apprehensive, I decided to go for it and entered the "Vision for Heroes" contest. I still cannot believe I won! I am so looking forward to riding my motorcycle in my off duty time and golfing again, without having to worry about wearing my glasses. Having my vision corrected will definitely change my life at work and at home."
Yvonne Thorne- State Trooper
Thank you to everyone who entered our 2nd Annual Vision for our Heroes Contest! We had a wonderful turnout and met so many great people whose efforts for our community do not go unnoticed. We hope to see you all again soon.
