Doctor on humanitarian mission gives early Christmas to blind Georgians


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SALT LAKE CITY — A doctor at the Moran Eye Center is brightening the lives of blind people in war-ravaged Georgia as part of a humanitarian mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Moran Eye Center Dr. Jeff Pettey and his wife visited the country of Georgia where years of civil war and crisis have caused a lot of poverty. However, thanks to generous donations from Utahns, Christmas came a little early for several Georgians.

Many of the students at the school for the blind were born prematurely — without the early care needed to prevent blindness — and others are blind because of congenital defects. In a country that's still recovering, refugees need the basics of life that Pettey brings like hygiene kits and cotton gloves.

Pettey examines the students and offers advice, but there is no miracle cure.

"The message I tried to leave with the training doctors was simply, take a moment to make the child feel special," Pettey said. "Take a moment to tell them how proud we are of them for everything they've done in their lives."

Pettey teaches Georgian residents how to to become better doctors, but it's a challenge. Doctors in training can't actually treat patients until their residencies are finished. Pettey also brought donations like braille plates, which are like a pen, paper and a braille globe.

"It does put into perspective when you see these refugees who simply need soap, a comb, a hand towel or gloves," Pettey said. "These children for the first time being able to feel a globe to feel where different countries are in the world."

The Petteys said the feeling in the room when the blind students accepted their gifts was indescribable and reminded them of the true meaning of Christmas.

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Heather Simonsen

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