Making a difference

This week, Liverpool and Tottenham advanced to the Champions League final from what seemed like impossible situations. Whether that’s down to a change in mindset or a substitution being made, it’s not always clear, but the effect rippled through the teams and resulted in two great comebacks.

Change can be brought about through passion, which was undeniably a factor in the football, but also in the case of Rachael Andrews. The 46-year-old blind woman from Norwich has successfully challenged the Government’s current provisions for blind and partially sighted voters after her experiences at the polling station left her feeling frustrated.

The judgement would affect around 350,000 people in the UK, enabling them to vote independently and secretly at the polling station.

In general terms, there are various ways to make a difference, such as through a company’s charitable initiative or an individual taking on a challenge to help fund research that has the potential to change lives.

OT has been speaking to AOP Awards winners and discovered how making a difference to patients is often the most rewarding part of the job.

Optometrist of the Year, Dr Martin Smith, shared that making people happy gives him great job satisfaction.

“In optometry, you have different opportunities. You can improve people’s sight, you can identify and treat sight-threatening disease. You can provide people with fantastic eyewear, which they wear every day; I think getting that right makes a real difference for people,” he said.

OT would like to hear how your practices have made a difference to a patient’s lifestyle. Share your stories with us by email.

Also, nominations for the AOP Awards 2020 are now open. Will you be putting yourself forward or recommending a peer?  

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