The newest group to come to the aid of Austin’s uninsured musicians is Prevent Blindness Texas, which offered free vision exams and vouchers for prescription glasses on June 12, 2010.
About 200 Austin musicians were selected to receive the services through the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, a nonprofit that offers care to 1,300 Austin musicians. This was the first vision screening for the musicians and future screenings are possible, according to Carolyn Schwarz, executive director of HAAM.
“We filled it really quickly because there’s a pent-up demand,” Schwarz said.
Musicians were surveyed and requested the service. “Some of them wear glasses that are just taped together,” said Jill McGuckin, a spokeswoman for HAAM.
With help from local eye-care professionals, the exams and vouchers were provided to HAAM members at Eye Physicians of Austin.
Alejandro Escovedo performing at the 2009 HAAM Benefit Day at Whole Foods in Austin, Texas.
“We are grateful for the generous support of local Austin eye care professionals such as Dr. George Thorne of Eye Physicians of Austin, Robert Wong, M.D., and many other ophthalmologists, optometrists, technicians and volunteers who donated their time to provide free eye exams on June 12,” said Debbie Goss, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness Texas, in a written statement. “We also thank our optical center partners from OneSight and the Luxottica Group.”
HAAM provides access to free and reduced-cost health cost to musicians through the Seton Family of Hospitals, St. David’s Foundation, the SIMS Foundation and Estes Audiology. The health care organizations donate that care, the cost of which is supplemented by donations and fundraisers, including the annual HAAM Benefit Day in which participating businesses contribute 5 percent of the day’s proceeds to HAAM.
This year’s HAAM Benefit Day — the fifth annual — is Sept. 21.
by Mary Ann Roser
statesman.com
preventblindness.org
