News

<<Go Back

Clear Vision, Clear Kindness

By: Jo-Ann Suzal

I first became involved with Transplant Foundation last December by me and my high school friends adopting a transplant family for the holidays thru their Holiday Angels program. My transplant family consisted of the mother, Marilyn, and four children including Keimonte, a transplant recipient, and his brother Antwann. When I and my friend Juan (Juanky) Diaz visited their home I could tell, despite financial struggle, their home was filled with love and goodwill. I was overwhelmed by their demeanor and kind manner. While I delivered gifts to the family I discovered that Antwann was nearly blind, thanks to a disease that affects your heart and vision. At 3 years of age, it’s too much to bear and I wanted to help.

So, I called my friend, Dr. Jennifer Lage, a certified optometric physician, and asked for her assistance with Antwann. She was equal to the task, and with my friend Juanky, we took Antwann and Marilyn to meet Dr. Lage at her Weston office. She measured Antwann for glasses that will greatly increase his line of vision. The visit and glasses were donated by Dr.Lage, Vision Unlimited (vision_unlimited@bellsouth.net, 305-592-2270, or 954-384-1127). Now, Antwann can see considerably better thanks to Dr. Lage and her efforts.

Antwann and family were all overjoyed by Jennifer’s hospitality; Keimonte especially appreciated that thru his transplant experience, it led to helping his little brother. Since that visit, Keimonte, who had cancer, passed away. My heart breaks to think of the travesty of losing a child and my thoughts remain with Marilyn, Antwann and their entire family. While Keimonte’s stay in this world was brief, he and his family will have forever impacted my life, as well as Juanky and Dr. Lage, because no matter what happens in our day-to-day lives, our vision will remain to reach out and help others like Keimonte and Antwann.