Albert Streete Relied on the Selflessness of Others to Save His Vision, and His Family
Posted by: Georgia Retina in Uncategorized
Immigrant Strives to Help Others in His Daily Life
When Albert Streete immigrated to the U.S. in 2005 from his native country of Liberia in West Africa, the first American eye doctor he visited alerted Streete of a potential retina issue. Sure enough, in 2009 Streete began to see blood spots in his left eye and was referred to Georgia Retina for what would be the first of two surgeries to fix a detached retina.
Dr. John J. Miller, one of Georgia Retina’s nine board-certified ophthalmologists, performed Streete’s second surgery in February of 2010, and Streete says the two formed an instant bond.
“Dr. Miller has been the most passionate person to me,” Streete said. “He talks to me, and he makes me feel that he’s really trying to help me.”
But it turned out Streete needed more than just medical help; he needed financial assistance as well. With three children and a wife in nursing school, Streete’s job working for Annandale Village – an organization offering services for adults with developmental disabilities or traumatic brain injury – doesn’t bring in enough to pay for health insurance.
That’s where Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation stepped in, offering to help finance Streete’s retina procedures. A friend told Streete about how the group offers aid to uninsured and low-income Georgians.
Being able to help Streete get the surgeries he so desperately needed is a perfect example of why the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation exists, according to executive director Christina Lennon.
“His story touched me personally and reminded me of why I love my job,” Lennon said. “Not only did we keep him employed and self-sufficient, we also helped all who depend on him.”
Streete is forever grateful. “I want to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to Georgia Retina, and mostly to Dr. Miller, because he’s given me a second chance to be able to see,” Streete said. “And also Lions Lighthouse, since I don’t know what I would have done without that help.”
This partnership between Georgia Retina and Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation is a well-established one. In fact, Dr. Jay Stallman of Georgia Retina, along with his wife, Jane, will act as 2011 event chairs of the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation’s annual Night of Spectacles fashion show fundraiser, which will be held on April 30, 2011.
Georgia Retina is an Atlanta-based private practice physician group that was founded in 1994 by the merging of two retina-only medical practices, and since has become one of the largest retina-only medical practice in the southeastern United States.
Georgia Retina focuses their care specifically on conditions of the retina, macula, and vitreous, making them experts in addressing retina disorders. The retina specialists have the training and experience to provide their patients with state-of-the-art treatment.
At Georgia Retina, patients’ vision needs are the top priority. As one of the largest retina-only medical practices in the southeastern United States, Georgia Retina specializes in treating diseases of the retina, macula, and vitreous. Its nine board-certified ophthalmologists have received special Fellowship training in vitreo-retinal diseases and surgery, and are engaged in clinical trials with the goal of advancing research into retinal diseases, their causes, and their cures.
– See more at: https://garetina.com/news/20-albert-streete-relied-on-the-selflessness-of-others-to-save-his-vision-and-his-family#sthash.Bkj4DLys.dpuf
