Renewed Kayla is sight to see

Kayla McCloud stood in line, occasionally touching her new eyeglasses, as she and the other students prepared to head to the Park Avenue Elementary School library.

She smiled and turned toward other second-graders as they settled down in the brisk morning breeze before walking from the classroom and across the blacktop.

Still shy, the youngster could be called outgoing compared to a few months ago.

Kayla, 8, underwent major surgery in mid-February in San Francisco to correct an eye disorder, thanks to efforts of school personnel, Peach Bowl Lions Club charter member Joe Pelaez and the Lions Eye Foundation of California-Nevada.

"It was such a miracle," said teacher Claudia Curtis. "I knew that if we could get this surgery done, it would change her life."

Because of a deviating eye, the self-conscious girl often sat with her head looking down, not playing with the other kids, Curtis added. "Now she's playing with the other kids."

Kayla's case was the latest undertaken by Pelaez, local Lions sight chairman, in his more than 15 years working with the foundation.

The Lions Eye Foundation helps with financial assistance to lower-income children and senior citizens in the community, he said. It's slogan is "Preserving the Gift of Sight."

"If I can help and they meet the guidelines, I will be there, especially for children," Pelaez, 78, said.

Kayla's vision problem was first noted when she started kindergarten. But the child's condition wasn't helped until school nurse Beckie Kersting contacted Pelaez. "That's why we are school nurses," she said, "because we are advocates for children and their family."

Pelaez estimated the Lions have paid out between $30,000 and $40,000 for Kayla's case. Family friend Alice Boswell and Peach Bowl Lion Bill Paden and his wife helped ferry the patient to doctor's appointments and the surgery at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco.

The surgery affected Kayla's self-esteem, said her mother Melissa McCloud, 31. Now, "She'll look you in the face and talk to you some more."

Kayla, the second child of Melissa and Daryl McCloud, 30, has six siblings: Marisa, 11, D.J., 7, Andrew, 6, Benjamin, 4, Duncan, 3, and Seven, 7 months.

Schools know to contact Pelaez when needed. Just since January he has received 10 referrals for eyeglasses or other vision treatment, he noted.

In 2007, the local club sponsored four eye surgeries, including for an elderly couple, and countless eye exams. The foundation's California-Nevada district sponsored 208 surgeries and 2,600 patient visits.

"If there's a kid I can help, I will do it," Pelaez said. "As long as the Lions are there, I'll be doing something."

Contact Appeal reporter Leticia Gutierrez at 749-4722 or at lgutierrez@appeal-democrat.com

How the Lions provide assistance

Lions Club members raise money for their community efforts during White Cane Days, two days in October.

The public can also drop off used eyeglasses at Lions collection boxes at various businesses in the Yuba-Sutter area, including both Wal-Marts, Bel Air and the office of Dr. Loan Tran in Yuba City.

Donations for the sight program can be sent locally to: Peach Bowl Lions Club, P.O Box 1086, Yuba City, CA 95992 (specify for the local sight program).

The program is part of the Lions Eye Foundation of California-Nevada.

— Leticia Gutierrez