Cornea Recipient Comes Full Circle
In 1987, Terri Ristow, of Columbia, Mo., received her first of two cornea transplants. Since that time, Ristow has volunteered on behalf of organ donation, collected used eyeglasses, and now continues her sight-saving work as a Call Center Coordinator at the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation.

Her journey began in the 1980s when she and her older brother were both students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. During a short period of time, the vision of Ristow's brother deteriorated so rapidly he became legally blind. Through an opthalmologist, it was discovered Ristow's brother had Keratoconus, a disease which causes the cornea to become cone-shaped and thinner, disrupting the vision function.

After her brother's diagnosis, Ristow's family also went to get tested, as the disease can run in families. It was then determined that Ristow also had keratoconus. For a few years following her diagnosis, Ristow compensated for her worsening vision by wearing contacts. One of her eyes had better vision than the other, so Ristow increasingly relied on her "good eye" to see things.

Following the birth of her second child, her vision had deteriorated so much that Ristow was legally blind. After receiving her first transplant, the difference in her vision "was like night and day," Ristow said. "I was able to see all this detail and all this color."

After her first transplant in 1987, and again after her second transplant in 1991, Ristow began volunteering as a recipient speaker. She spoke about her experiences as a cornea recipient at Lions clubs throughout Missouri. Around the time she had her transplant, Ristow also began collecting eye glasses for recycling with the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation. To this day Ristow still maintains two collection sites for eye glass recycling.

In March, Ristow expanded her dedication to organ donation by joining the MLERF staff as a Call Center Coordinator. At the Call Center, Ristow works with hospital staff to screen for potential organ donors. When potential donors are identified, Ristow contacts the donor's family to talk with them about donation and receive their consent.

Because of her unique situation as a cornea recipient, Ristow will sometimes discuss her own story with donor families, and they will also take the time to talk about their own personal stories and the significance of their loved one's donation. "It is an interesting experience to be on both sides of the organ donation process," Ristow said.

Upcoming Events
July 17, 2007: 31st Annual Missouri Lions All-Star Football game in Warrensburg. Game tickets are available at the gate for $7. For more information, contact the Missouri Lions State Office at 573-635-1773 or molions@embarqmail.com.

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