Cornea Transplant Restores Artistic Vision to KC Area Woman
For years Independence, Mo., resident Norma Hammons relied on her keen sense of sight to work in a career that she loved. Although she is now retired, Norma spent the majority of her career as a greeting card artist at the Hallmark Greeting Card Company in Kansas City. With an expert eye for artistic detail, Norma painted tiny forget-me-nots and other beautiful flowers for Hallmark’s popular greeting cards.

After a cataract surgery about 10 years ago, Norma began having vision problems. Her vision became distorted and was deteriorating quickly. It was almost like looking through a foggy haze: Norma couldn’t even make out the big “E” on the chart at her eye doctor’s office.

Soon, Norma found that she had to give up her favorite hobbies- painting, reading and gardening. Norma was also afraid that she was quickly losing her independence as she could no longer drive. “I just wasn’t as confident,” she explained.

In February of 2006, Norma was the lucky recipient of a sight-saving corneal transplant with tissue from the Heartland Lions Eye Banks. Although her vision will continue to heal in the year following her surgery, Norma’s sight has already improved tremendously. She hopes that soon she will be able to paint her favorite flowers again- especially to make a pretty painting for her newly born great-granddaughter. Norma is also looking forward to planting and tending to her garden again- an activity that will surely provide inspiration to her artwork.

Each day, Norma is grateful for the continually healing “gift of sight” that she received thanks to her donor and their family. She thanks the Heartland Lions Eye Banks and the Lions of Missouri for helping to make her corneal transplant possible.

Upcoming Events
November 10-12
National Donor Sabbath Weekend, nationwide.  To find out more about this time for faith communities to discuss organ and tissue donation, please visit www.organdonor.gov.

December 3-9
Join the Heartland Lions Eye Banks and Lions Clubs International in celebrating Lions Eye Bank Week.  For more information about this observation visit www.lionsclubs.org.

Looking for more detailed information on our upcoming amblyopia and glaucoma screenings? Visit our screening calendar online.

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