Serving others is in Austin's DNA. After six years as a volunteer firefighter, he became a full-time member of the Mishawaka Fire Department two years ago. "Frankly, I can't think of a more rewarding career," he says. "What else can you do where you are called on to help people on one of the worst days of their life and really know that you have made a difference. On any given day, you never know what you may encounter, but every day ends with the feeling that you've really done something worthwhile."
Austin used to wear glasses and occasionally contact lenses. But he couldn't sleep with contacts and couldn't always take the time to put them in when he received an overnight call. Glasses, on the other hand, are not a very viable option to wear under protective headgear. LASIK surgery performed at Boling ended up being the ideal solution.
"LASIK surgery truly changed my life," Austin says. "Fighting my glasses while fighting fires just wasn't working. Unfortunately, there is no way to ‘test-drive' LASIK so, for my part, there was an element of faith involved. But I did my research and chose Boling. They are a first class operation and the real experts when it comes to LASIK surgery. Their professionalism and friendliness gave me the confidence I had made the right choice. Next to becoming a firefighter, it was the best decision of my life."
"Basketball has been my life for as long as I can remember," Ryan says. "But it's not just the enjoyment of the game. Being a coach allows me to give back to the next generation."
Ryan has had a long career in basketball. After graduating from Notre Dame, he played in the NBA for 13 years. Now he is back at ND where he has been an assistant varsity coach for five years.
He credits the LASIK surgery he had performed at Boling for enabling him to be an even better coach. "You have to wear many hats as a coach and need to be ready for anything. On the court, things happen quickly and you need to see what is going on at all times so you can be your best for your players. Since I had the LASIK treatment at Boling, my vision is sharper than ever. You can't underestimate the importance of good vision and what it does for your confidence.
"Thanks to Boling, I'm not missing a thing."
Betsy is in charge of fundraising at WNIT-TV, the public television station serving the greater Michiana area. A former college athlete, she is also a part-time fitness instructor at the YMCA. And Betsy's personal experiences have taught her that life doesn't always unfold in expected ways. Sometimes, things end up even better than anticipated.
"I did not foresee a career as a professional fundraiser," Betsy says. "A lot of people can't imagine themselves in a role of asking for money. But I like it. On one hand it is humbling, but on the other it's inspiring. I'm reminded daily of the generosity in this community and how that generosity enables WNIT to offer educational programming that benefits not only the entire population, but especially our children."
Getting LASIK surgery performed at Boling has been equally eye opening. "LASIK has changed my life," Betsy says. "It's an amazing feeling to see so clearly when I open my eyes. I've seen the greatest impact on my work as a fitness instructor in terms of not having to worry about glasses or contacts. But it has also helped keep my eyes from getting so tired staring at a computer screen at work for hours on end. And I can't say enough about the technological capabilities and the caring attitude of the entire team at Boling."
"In my line of work, seconds count," says Christopher. His line of work is being a firefighter for the Middlebury Fire Department. He's been at it for 15 years so he knows a thing or two about the demands of the job. And being in the best position to have the backs of his "brothers." Being a firefighter he says, "is truly a brotherhood. You're with the guys for 24 hours straight. It's like having another family."
And family members look out for each other. That's why he had LASIK surgery performed at Boling. "I always wore glasses because contacts were too uncomfortable," he says. "But my glasses were always slipping around – not exactly what a fireman wants in the heat of a fire fight. It took years of frustration before I finally looked into LASIK. Now my eyesight is amazing, even in smoky situations. When a call comes in, I jump up and can see right away."
Christopher's work shifts between firefighting and EMS duty. Even something is basic as seeing someone's veins to insert an IV is so much easier now. "Getting LASIK was a great decision."
Kara and Kyle are more than a married couple. They do everything together. They are both teachers at Elkhart Memorial High School (where Kyle is also the basketball coach). They even had LASIK surgery on the same day!
Their mutual love likewise includes their passion for working with the students at Memorial. Says Kara, "We teach some kids from rough backgrounds. Those kids count on us. I don't want to let them down. I want to inspire them as I was inspired by the teachers I had growing up." And Kyle quickly adds, "I always wanted to work with youth. I love sports and basketball so the teaching/coaching combination is perfect for me."
What hasn't been perfect has been their eyesight. Kara wore glasses since she was a small child, and then switched to contact lenses. Kyle says he preferred contacts over glasses for physical activities but it still wasn't the perfect solution. That "perfect" solution ultimately came when they both had LASIK surgery at Boling. The difference was easy to see. "It was unbelievable," says Kara. "I literally felt ‘Oh my goodness, I can see.'" For Kyle, the experience was life changing. "I feel like we are better teachers now… and it's just amazing."
Angelica is more than a dedicated police officer in an elite unit. She is a black woman with a strong sense of community and an even stronger commitment to be a positive role model and difference-maker. With a long-standing military tradition in her family, Angelica chose police work because "When I was growing up, I saw very few black, female cops. I wanted to fill that need." It is an attitude that she lives everyday, even when dealing with suspects. "I tell them you need to be at home; your family needs you. Even if I can't affect them directly, I hope it will have an impact on their kids and help them follow a new and better path."
Noting that police work is inherently dangerous, she makes a point of picturing her own family in every call. "It reminds me to be safe," Angelica says. "That's why I depend on my eyesight to get the job done and to get home to my family." She had LASIK surgery at Boling in (year) and says it changed her life. "My vision is sharper than ever and I don't have to worry about losing a contact lens in a scuffle or at other inopportune times." To those who may be afraid of eye surgery, Angelica says simply, "LASIK surgery wasn't scary for me at all. What is scary is the possibility of never seeing my family again."
Seeing the results of a job well done is a great source of pride and accomplishment for José. He loves his job and recognizes that many people depend on him including family as well as his customers. For that reason, he relies on his sight for maximum productivity and quality workmanship.
"I used to wear glasses," José says. "As you can imagine, cutting and sanding creates a lot of dust. Sometimes, it seemed like I spent more time cleaning my glasses than working. I didn't realize how bad my sight was until after I had LASIK surgery at Boling."
Now José spends less time cleaning his glasses and more time being productive at work and being a more engaged grandfather. "LASIK has also helped me read better," he says. " I can see everything more clearly now. I have six grandkids and I can read to them and help them learn Spanish. Everything about the experience at Boling and the positive outcome of the surgery has been absolutely amazing."
Angelica is more than a dedicated police officer in an elite unit. She is a black woman with a strong sense of community and an even stronger commitment to be a positive role model and difference-maker. With a long-standing military tradition in her family, Angelica chose police work because "When I was growing up, I saw very few black, female cops. I wanted to fill that need." It is an attitude that she lives everyday, even when dealing with suspects. "I tell them you need to be at home; your family needs you. Even if I can't affect them directly, I hope it will have an impact on their kids and help them follow a new and better path."
Noting that police work is inherently dangerous, she makes a point of picturing her own family in every call. "It reminds me to be safe," Angelica says. "That's why I depend on my eyesight to get the job done and to get home to my family." She had LASIK surgery at Boling in (year) and says it changed her life. "My vision is sharper than ever and I don't have to worry about losing a contact lens in a scuffle or at other inopportune times." To those who may be afraid of eye surgery, Angelica says simply, "LASIK surgery wasn't scary for me at all. What is scary is the possibility of never seeing my family again."
Seeing the results of a job well done is a great source of pride and accomplishment for José. He loves his job and recognizes that many people depend on him including family as well as his customers. For that reason, he relies on his sight for maximum productivity and quality workmanship.
"I used to wear glasses," José says. "As you can imagine, cutting and sanding creates a lot of dust. Sometimes, it seemed like I spent more time cleaning my glasses than working. I didn't realize how bad my sight was until after I had LASIK surgery at Boling."
Now José spends less time cleaning his glasses and more time being productive at work and being a more engaged grandfather. "LASIK has also helped me read better," he says. " I can see everything more clearly now. I have six grandkids and I can read to them and help them learn Spanish. Everything about the experience at Boling and the positive outcome of the surgery has been absolutely amazing."
Ryan has had a long career in basketball. After graduating from Notre Dame, he played in the NBA for 13 years. Now he is back at ND where he has been an assistant varsity coach for five years.
He credits the LASIK surgery he had performed at Boling for enabling him to be an even better coach. "You have to wear many hats as a coach and need to be ready for anything. On the court, things happen quickly and you need to see what is going on at all times so you can be your best for your players. Since I had the LASIK treatment at Boling, my vision is sharper than ever. You can't underestimate the importance of good vision and what it does for your confidence.
"Thanks to Boling, I'm not missing a thing."
"In my line of work, seconds count," says Christopher. His line of work is being a firefighter for the Middlebury Fire Department. He's been at it for 15 years so he knows a thing or two about the demands of the job. And being in the best position to have the backs of his "brothers." Being a firefighter he says, "is truly a brotherhood. You're with the guys for 24 hours straight. It's like having another family."
And family members look out for each other. That's why he had LASIK surgery performed at Boling. "I always wore glasses because contacts were too uncomfortable," he says. "But my glasses were always slipping around – not exactly what a fireman wants in the heat of a fire fight. It took years of frustration before I finally looked into LASIK. Now my eyesight is amazing, even in smoky situations. When a call comes in, I jump up and can see right away."
Christopher's work shifts between firefighting and EMS duty. Even something is basic as seeing someone's veins to insert an IV is so much easier now. "Getting LASIK was a great decision."
Kara and Kyle are more than a married couple. They do everything together. They are both teachers at Elkhart Memorial High School (where Kyle is also the basketball coach). They even had LASIK surgery on the same day!
Their mutual love likewise includes their passion for working with the students at Memorial. Says Kara, "We teach some kids from rough backgrounds. Those kids count on us. I don't want to let them down. I want to inspire them as I was inspired by the teachers I had growing up." And Kyle quickly adds, "I always wanted to work with youth. I love sports and basketball so the teaching/coaching combination is perfect for me."
What hasn't been perfect has been their eyesight. Kara wore glasses since she was a small child, and then switched to contact lenses. Kyle says he preferred contacts over glasses for physical activities but it still wasn't the perfect solution. That "perfect" solution ultimately came when they both had LASIK surgery at Boling. The difference was easy to see. "It was unbelievable," says Kara. "I literally felt ‘Oh my goodness, I can see.'" For Kyle, the experience was life changing. "I feel like we are better teachers now… and it's just amazing."
Serving others is in Austin's DNA. After six years as a volunteer firefighter, he became a full-time member of the Mishawaka Fire Department two years ago. "Frankly, I can't think of a more rewarding career," he says. "What else can you do where you are called on to help people on one of the worst days of their life and really know that you have made a difference. On any given day, you never know what you may encounter, but every day ends with the feeling that you've really done something worthwhile."
Austin used to wear glasses and occasionally contact lenses. But he couldn't sleep with contacts and couldn't always take the time to put them in when he received an overnight call. Glasses, on the other hand, are not a very viable option to wear under protective headgear. LASIK surgery performed at Boling ended up being the ideal solution.
"LASIK surgery truly changed my life," Austin says. "Fighting my glasses while fighting fires just wasn't working. Unfortunately, there is no way to ‘test-drive' LASIK so, for my part, there was an element of faith involved. But I did my research and chose Boling. They are a first class operation and the real experts when it comes to LASIK surgery. Their professionalism and friendliness gave me the confidence I had made the right choice. Next to becoming a firefighter, it was the best decision of my life."
Betsy is in charge of fundraising at WNIT-TV, the public television station serving the greater Michiana area. A former college athlete, she is also a part-time fitness instructor at the YMCA. And Betsy's personal experiences have taught her that life doesn't always unfold in expected ways. Sometimes, things end up even better than anticipated.
"I did not foresee a career as a professional fundraiser," Betsy says. "A lot of people can't imagine themselves in a role of asking for money. But I like it. On one hand it is humbling, but on the other it's inspiring. I'm reminded daily of the generosity in this community and how that generosity enables WNIT to offer educational programming that benefits not only the entire population, but especially our children."
Getting LASIK surgery performed at Boling has been equally eye opening. "LASIK has changed my life," Betsy says. "It's an amazing feeling to see so clearly when I open my eyes. I've seen the greatest impact on my work as a fitness instructor in terms of not having to worry about glasses or contacts. But it has also helped keep my eyes from getting so tired staring at a computer screen at work for hours on end. And I can't say enough about the technological capabilities and the caring attitude of the entire team at Boling."
