Fred Hollows Information
The eye surgeon Fred Hollows is the main reason as to our extensive knowledge of cataracts and the human eye. He trained and educating untold amounts of doctors the ways of performing essential cataract surgeries. While restoring sight to thousands of people. Hollows passion and love for helping others was virtually blinding as he dedicated his whole life to assisting humanity in any way possible. He traveled all over the world from Pakistan to Indonesia, helping any third world country in need. Searching around the world aiming to leave no one behind.
The man himself was born on April the 9th, 1929 in Dunedin, New Zealand. As a boy Fred’s love for science was the seed that was planted in his long, long journey, of greatness. His words were so breathtakingly passionate, and as he once said; “I believe the basic attribute of mankind, is to look after each other.” This quote portrays his personality to perfection.
The Fred Hollows Foundation is full of passionate people doing what they love, helping others. When Fred died his legacy did not. It was lived on by his friends, family and all of the company members. The Foundation stretched all of its resources to help anyone that they could. At this time and before now they have restored peoples’ sight, and also their lives. As they said, “Every time we restore someone’s sight, it also brings back their independence, ability to work, or get and education.”
When they perform the cataract surgery they are not only giving them the gift to see they are also giving them the chance to live life to their best potential possible, they are giving them a second chance.
Before the surgery they are burdened with blindness and burdened with the feeling of being a burden to their families as they could not provide for their families. Leaving their parents, siblings or even their children to provide for them.
Fred Hollow’s life is full to the brim of mind boggling achievements. Ranging from being on the Australian one dollar coin to getting an award for helping at school when he was 6 years old. In 2004 he was entered into the Hall Of Fame for his contribution in the ‘Advancement of Aboriginal Healthcare.’ In 1990 he was named the ‘Australian of the Year.’
When Fred was offered the ‘Officer of the Order Australia’ award from the government he refused to take it as he saw the lack of engagement the government was taking in tackling the problems of Aboriginal Healthcare.
Poverty is a serious problem here on earth. As dozens of countries suffer from it. From children to grandparents. And not only was Hollows changing the sight of thousands but changing the poverty of even more. For example; Two children and a grandma live together alone in a poverty ridden country. But the grandma has cataracts on both eyes and is completely blind. So the younger sister must stay at home and look after their grandma, while the brother must go and work to earn a living for all of them. Meaning that both children cannot go to school and be educated meaning that generations of families will not be educated leaving no one to help sweep that country clean of poverty. But if that grandma isn't blind then she can stay at home and clean and do all the chores while the children go to school and then the brother can come home and work while the grandma sews. The grandma then sells the sewing. This cycle continues and so do their lives.
The Fred Hollows Foundation alone is a notable enough, and along with all the lives he has made livable. Fred Hollows is without a doubt worthy of Night of the Notables.