Improving the Way People See Every Day: CooperVision’s Adopt-a-Patient® Program

CooperVision’s Adopt-a-Patient® program provides students an additional opportunity for a “hands on” fitting experience that would otherwise have been prevented by a patient’s lack of financial resources. CooperVision provides selected patients in need a one-year supply of contact lenses upon completion of the fitting process at the school’s clinic or satellite clinics. Adopt-A-Patient® is intended to be a positive contact lens fitting experience for optometry students during their clinical contact lens rotation while serving under-privileged patients. Recently, an 11-year old recipient of lenses through the Adopt-a-Patient® program reached out to CooperVision to share what a positive experience the program has been for him too.

Hello,

My name is Miles, I am almost 11 years old. I am so thankful for CooperVision helping me out and making my life easier by helping me see.

I involve myself in a couple sports such as Jiu Jitsu & football. These two sports are very physical. I used to wear glasses during both of these sports. I have broken four pairs of glasses. One of those times the frame snapped, broke from the impact & it cut my face. I tried sport goggles they fog up, I couldn't see & the strap would hurt my ears from pushing them down. It was very frustrating.

During Jiu Jitsu is where I've had most of my issues. I get pulled, thrown, smashed, flipped and choked. With my contacts I can see what’s in front of me. I can find ways to pass their guard, get out of their grips to find a way out to win the match. Wearing my contacts also keeps me and my opponent safe from being cut by my broken frames during a match.

I attached a picture from one of my Jiu Jitsu tournaments so you guys can see what your gift has allowed me to do.

Once again, thank you for the opportunity to have been selected to be an "Adopt-a-patient by CooperVision". This will allow me to keep pursuing Jiu Jitsu safely and comfortably. I hope that more companies will open their hearts as you guys have to kids like myself.

Miles

For more stories like this and information on all of CooperVision’s academic programs, visit the ECP Viewpoints℠ Optometry Students and Educators Page.