For 27-year-old Jonathan Harripersad, who lives with cerebral palsy, last Thursday was a day of happiness as he finally received the gift of better eyesight. He was one of 14 people, including several children, who received free glasses through a partnership between A Touch of Joy Foundation and Adam’s Optical.
Speaking to Guardian Media, Jonathan’s mother, Flora Harripersad, said she never realised her only son needed glasses until screenings by the foundation revealed it.
“His eyes were running water for some time, and he was trying to scratch them, but I didn’t think it was a problem,” Flora explained. She added, “At a fun day event hosted by the foundation, they did a screening and later chose him for further testing. Now he is getting his eyeglasses free,” she said.
Without this kind of help, Flora said she could never have afforded it.
“We are very grateful,” she added, with tears in her eyes.
She said raising a child with cerebral palsy is often a struggle, but support like this makes a difference.
“It’s really a challenge with them to get things done. He’s my only child, and I do everything I can to support him. He’s physically challenged but mentally strong, and with therapies and resources, he keeps learning,” she added.
Other families also welcomed the initiative. Kajol Dookhoo, a mother of two, said the glasses would bring relief, especially after months of heavy screen use during the school holidays.
“Honestly, I didn’t expect to get the glasses, but I’m very thankful. I’m a housewife with a child who has special needs, so I can’t work. This kind of help means a lot for us,” she said.
Meena Jadoonanan, President of A Touch of Joy Foundation, said the initiative grew out of the group’s focus on health and wellness during its annual back-to-school events.
“We do screenings for children, and we identified several who needed glasses. That’s why we partnered with Adam’s Optical to make sure they could be tested and provided with free eyewear,” she explained.
She added, “Eye care is so important. With children spending more time on phones and tablets instead of outdoor play, we are seeing more eye strain and vision problems. We want to encourage parents to pay attention and know that support is available through organisations like ours.”
Meanwhile, Ravi Khan, manager of Adam’s Optical’s San Fernando branch, said his company was proud to be involved, having contributed $28,000 in glasses.
“Today we are catering for roughly 14 children and one individual with a disability. For us, it’s about lending a helping hand to the community. Eyesight is a priority, everything you do in life depends on your vision,” he added.
