'See To Achieve' brings clarity to life!

Back in 1972, Johnny Nash recorded the Billboard Hot 100 Chart's No. 1 song, "I Can See Clearly Now." The single from the album of the same name achieved successes in both the United States and the United Kingdom, and was eventually re-recorded by Jimmy Cliff for the 1993 motion picture, "Cool Runnings." Detroit Red Wings' fans recognize it because it's played on the Joe Louis Arena sound system every time Dan Cleary scores a goal.

It should have been playing in the background Wednesday (April 17) during a cooperative project between the Taylor School District nurses, the Detroit Public Schools and LensCrafters. Forty children from Taylor were bussed to an Allen Park location provided by Ford Motor Co. and provided a free comprehensive eye examination. This project has been going on for seven years.

Originally, the focus was on the disadvantaged schools of the struggling Detroit system and LenCrafters invited Detroit to get involved in the program, "See To Achieve." The DPS then started to invite other districts and Taylor became involved.

Mary Lynn Harrison is the Taylor chairperson and has been involved in the project for six of the years. She pointed out that all the nurses in the district participate in the project, which is a cooperative effort between teachers, principals and nurses, who all take part in referring children who might need visual aid. 

Harrison said that the Board of Education secretary handles mailers to the children's families, and once the permission slips are signed, transportation provides the bussing to the site. Dietary provides snacks for those participating.

"We hear from teachers daily about children who have trouble seeing," Harrison said. "This is yet another way to keep the kids in school and able to learn. It has a huge impact for a long time."

By the end of the day on Wednesday, according to Harrison, many of the Taylor children ended up needing glasses after taking their comprehensive eye exams. The glasses were provided by the program at no cost to the families.

By Thursday, some children in the Taylor schools were seeing things in focus for the first time in a long time.

As Johnny Nash once sang, "I can see clearly now ...."

If you child participated in the "See To Achieve" program, let us know what you think of the results by emailing Blogger Karl Ziomek at karlziomek11@gmail.com.