Staff photo by Fritz Busch Kathy Rathmann of New Ulm sews at the Sewing for Sight Retreat at the Church of St. George Satudray. Rathmann said she enjoys coming to the event to see what projects other quilters are doing.

ST. GEORGE — Hutchinson opthalmologist Dr. Christopher Wallyn talked in great detail about what his mission trips mean to needy Guatemala residents at the Sewing for Sight Retreat at the Church of St. George Saturday.

A medical doctor who treats complicated eye problems with surgery and other procedures, Wallyn gets a little choked up when he talks about just how difficult life can be for Guatemalans impacted by diabetes that can gravely affect eyesight.

“We’ve been able to help kids and adults with congenital cataracts (eye lens disorders). In that culture, if you don’t have good vision as an 18 to 20 year old, you’re not considered good marriage material. It affects your entire life. You’re living with your parents for the rest of their lives. That’s a real sentence in a third-world country,” said Wallyn.

Families he serves in Guatemala often live in a ten by ten foot space with a dirt floor where they cook and live. The thought of anyone in the family paying for eye surgery is an impossibility.

“But they’re happy people. They’re lovely people. When they get things like cancer and gall bladder attacks, it’s difficult. The average worker makes about two dollars a day. From that, they buy fire wood, corn for making tortillas and black beans which is a protein source. After they buy that, their $2 is gone. If dad gets sick or injured and doesn’t get up the next day, there’s nothing. There is no bank account,” Wallyn said.

He said helping Guatemalans with eyesight needs makes him feel “wonderful.”

“I think if everybody could go to a third-world country for about a week, we’d come back with a whole different feeling about our country. It would be a good educational opportunity. I brought my kids down there through the years. It changed their lives. I’ve seen a lot of kids volunteering down there and how it changed their lives,” said Wallyn.

He is currently vetting (evaluating) a group of doctors in Colorado who want to go on a Guatemalan mission.

“They’re very successful doctors in Colorado who want to give back but they don’t know how to start. Their lead doctor coming down to Guatemala with us in February and see our mission. I’m hopeful they will be part of what we’re doing down there,” said Wallyn.

Drs. Wallyn and Michael Merk established the non-profit Foundation for Saving Sight in 1992 and sponsored the first eye clinic and surgery suite in San Lucas-Toliman, at the foot of three volcanic mountains in the middle of Guatemala.

“Many lives have been significantly impacted by what we would consider routine eye care in the United States, restoring human potential, dignity and quality of life,” said Sewing for Sight Committee member Ann Wendinger.

Wendinger, her friends and business partners Jackie Forst and Cindy Wendinger established Sewing for Sight in 2012. A one-day quilt retreat began at the Church of St. George Parish Center.

Supported by the St. George Catholic United Financial Organization and Sewing Seeds Quilt Company, funds are generated so medical teams can focus on the vision and health needs in Guatemala.

More than $189,000 has been raised in 13 years to improve surgical equipment, the hospital of San Lucas and purchase medication, inter-ocular lenses and instrumentation for surgery and eye disease treatment. A retinal laser was purchased to treat people on the verge of loving their eyesight.

“We invite you, our business associates to become involved. Together we made a difference. We know the need is real and it continues,” said Wendinger.

The Sewing for Sight Committee agreed the next equipment purchase should be a diagnostic instrument for OCT (optical coherence tomography) non-invasive imaging using light waves to take retina cross-section pictures. Used OCTs cost $20,000 to $25,000.

Several New Ulm quilters talked about why to participate in Sewing for Sight.

“You can spend the whole day quilting. I make one or two quilts a year. This is where I start my project. I look forward to it,” said Sara Covich.

It’s great to get together and see how other quilters are doing,” said Kathy Rathmann.

“Quilting is a good stress reliever. It’s how I unwind after work,” said Ann Bauer of St. George.

“I’ve been doing this for a long time. I like the cause,” said Mary Sievert.

“I love to support Sewing for Sight. It’s a good cause. I know where the money is going,” said Marie Guldan.

“My dear friend’s mother needed eye surgery. My sister in law lost her eyesight. It’s a good cause,” said Cindy Terrell.

Sewing for Sight can be followed on Facebook. Donations can be sent to Ann Wendinger, 37848 631st Ave. New Ulm, Mn 56073.