LUMBERTON — Five Robeson County residents were given the gift of sight Monday.

The Lumberton Lions presented each of them, ages 6 to 57, with eSight, a device made in Canada that is worn over the eyes like glasses. The club spent $10,000 for each of the devices. The recipients paid nothing for a new outlook on life.

“I dreamed about these things. I didn’t know if they would come around. I can go back to college,” said Artie Stewart, who lost his eyesight to diabetes in 2011.

The 57-year-old plans to get a bachelor’s degree in Business.

“I’ve always wanted to work for the North Carolina Services for the Blind since I lost my sight,” Stewart said. “I want to give back to the community what’s been given to me.”

The device contains a video camera that shows pictures on a screen, which allows the wearer to see the world around them, to see the faces of loved ones, to get and hold a job, and to be a more fully functional part of society.

David Cox, the Lions Club’s first vice district governor, learned of the devices during a conference and brought the idea to buy them to the club’s members, who said yes unanimously. The process of buying the devices and donating them has been ongoing for seven months. Nine visually impaired people were gathered at Robeson Community College in August to test eSight. Five of the nine people were able to see with the device, and the club decided to make the purchase in late August.

“It will allow them to be in society, for kids to learn in class. They’re looked down on in society,” Cox said. “This can bring them back to where an average person is in learning, be able to get jobs. Many wouldn’t get jobs as a blind person. It will allow them to see and go, like you and I. It’s a life-altering change.”

Cole Oliver, 14, is extremely nearsighted.

“This will enable him to see farther away, go enjoy sports, and maybe drive,” said Scarlett Oliver, Cole’s mother. “He’ll have a better life, enjoy seeing details and color.”

“Until he can see what he can see he won’t know what he’s been missing,” said Chris Oliver, Cole’s father. “He’s going to have a whole new life, and a lot more opportunities. It’s clear that it makes a better life. When he knows what he’s been missing, he’ll appreciate it.”

Lizzy Ashford, 12, is looking forward to a simple pleasure after a gunshot wound took her sight.

“I want to read a book by myself,” Ashford said. “I want to color and draw, and study photography.”

Ashford’s grandmother Althonia Sawyer sees a brighter future for Lizzy because of the technology.

“She’ll have independence, and I won’t need to hold her hand,” Sawyer said. “She can do more of what she loves, go to high school, with no worry.”

Kyland Kicks, 7, of St. Pauls and Miracle Villanueva, 6, of Lumberton also received eSight.

“They’ll see things they’ve never seen before,” Lions Club President George Lawson said. “They can walk around the house by themselves, pick out clothes. It all means so much.”

The goal of these devices is to allow the wearer to function in the outside world, Cox said.

“We’re trying to make a better person in society,” Cox said. “It’s tough enough to function with sight, but there’s more difficulty with a disability. We’re giving the ability to function in society. It’s one less hurdle to deal with.”

Cox said depression is common among the blind, especially if the problem developed later in life. Being able to go out with friends, to play ball or to see a movie is part of growing up. The blind are often cut off from activities with friends because of the lack of interaction and erroneous concepts about the blind. This creates the depression in those who suffer from the loss of sight.

“My self-esteem is not always what it used to be,” Stewart said. “You want to be able to help yourself.”

Stewart said participating in his favorite activities will be forever changed.

“I can watch ball games without having to ask my wife or son about what happened,” Stewart said. “I’m excited about going to church and to be able to read the songs on the screen. It’s about more visual independence.”

Stewart’s faith was apparent as shared his thanks for the new visual tool.

“God’s mercy is everywhere in this place. I haven’t felt better. It’s a long time since I felt this good,” Stewart said. “I’ve been shown the importance of loving your neighbor as yourself. We take too many things for granted. This is such a blessing.”

David Cox, standing, of the Lumberton Lions Club shows Miracle Villanueva, left, Kyland Kicks, Lizzy Alford, Cole Oliver and Artie Stewart how to use the eSight devices the club gave to them Monday. The device helps visually impaired people see clearly again.
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/web1_lion-group-reduce_ne20181112194246809-2.jpgDavid Cox, standing, of the Lumberton Lions Club shows Miracle Villanueva, left, Kyland Kicks, Lizzy Alford, Cole Oliver and Artie Stewart how to use the eSight devices the club gave to them Monday. The device helps visually impaired people see clearly again.

David Cox, left, works with Miracle Villanueva, 6, Monday on using the eSight device, which allows her to see with greater clarity. Five of the devices, which cost $10,000 each, were given by the Lumberton Lions Club to five Robeson County residents.
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/web1_lion-miracle-reduce_ne20181112195848567-2.jpgDavid Cox, left, works with Miracle Villanueva, 6, Monday on using the eSight device, which allows her to see with greater clarity. Five of the devices, which cost $10,000 each, were given by the Lumberton Lions Club to five Robeson County residents.

Artie Shaw, seated, gets instruction from Sammy Cox, of the Lumberton Lions Club, on how to use the eSight handheld controller, which is used for zooming in and out, and to manipulate visual contrast.
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/web1_lion-shaw-get-help-reduce_ne20181112195851700-2.jpgArtie Shaw, seated, gets instruction from Sammy Cox, of the Lumberton Lions Club, on how to use the eSight handheld controller, which is used for zooming in and out, and to manipulate visual contrast.

The gift of the eSight device is overwhelming for Cole Oliver, 14. Cole, a big fan of computer games, is extremely nearsighted. His vision was corrected by the eSight device.
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/web1_lion-cole-overwhelmed-reduce_ne20181112195933643-2.jpgThe gift of the eSight device is overwhelming for Cole Oliver, 14. Cole, a big fan of computer games, is extremely nearsighted. His vision was corrected by the eSight device.

David Bradley

Staff writer

Reach David Bradley at 910-416-5182 or [email protected].