Dr Michael Stefanescu

Writer Optometrist

It was August 2016 when I embarked on my first mission with AHHA. Joining the group on the second week, I got to experience first hand what it was like to deliver health care and humanitarian aid to the poor and underprivileged. I initially volunteered after hearing about the work of AHHA and its volunteers. What drew me in was the fact that all donations made went 100% to those in need and the cost of the trips were self funded by volunteers.

The fact that this group was a selfless and hard working entity of hardworking and dedicated individuals from all walks of life then getting together and working as a team to provide free medical, eye, dental care as well as delivering humanitarian aid is what really inspired me to be part of.

I have been practising as an Optometrist now for almost 17 years and graduated from UNSW. I spent 2 years in a rural setting learning and honing my skills from my first mentor who sparked my interest in Myopia control as well as complicated rigid contact lens fittings to manage keratoconus and other corneal ectasias.

During this time I also used it to plan before deciding to set up my practice in Canley Heights in 2008. The goal of every business is to create internal and external raving fans and even after almost 15 years this is something we continue to strive to achieve in our business.

The first trip to the steaming hot and humid phnom penh was in 2016. It would be a trip that I will always remember and it was also the spark I needed to dedicate my time and future towards helping the less fortunate locally and overseas.

In August 2016 I hopped on a flight to join the team that had already set up the week before. Being my first trip I wasn't sure what was installed or the type of emotions that I would feel. I had little expectations and my main goal was to do my best and help get the job done regardless of what I had to do, whether it was to check eyes or carry a rice bag and lift heavy boxes. I was there to help.

I was very surprised by the organization of the trip and realized that the team must have surely done this many times before. Our role on the optometry team is to check vision, measure eye pressures, dilate pupils and examine the anterior and posterior eye for cataracts and other disease, then recommend surgery if needed or provide glasses, eye medicine or even just counselling the patient that perhaps all they needed at that time are eye drops and a pair of sunglasses to help protect their eyes.

On the first day setting up our clinic room. It was quiet and cooler in the morning. It wasn't long till the line of people outside started to pile up and then the line would expand far beyond the walls that I could see. There were young and old, and many had a second person who was either their carer or family who guided them as they could not see.

In that first moment I was standing at the door of our clinic room and peering over towards the line of patients waiting. I suddenly felt a little overwhelmed and my eyes started to tear up and I said to our team leader I had to go for a walk. I walked down to the other side of the hospital and had to take some deep breaths to really calm myself down. This feeling of sadness, love and sorry for these people all exploded in my mind and in my eyes. I needed some space to breathe, reflect and also remember why I was there.

It took me a few minutes to get myself back together and then after thinking why we are here really helped me get control of my emotions again.

This was my first trip though I said to myself that I will continue to provide ongoing support from this day forth and help create lasting change for the less privileged and have attended the field trips each year since.

Having grown up in a single parent household and also in a very rough part of Sydney all my life I had thought I had things tough. Yet after seeing the lifestyle and the helplessness the poor have to live with, it really woke me up.

In life it’s so important to have contrast (the good and bad) to help you appreciate even more of what you have. Each day I makes sure to take out time to show gratitude for all life has given me, for example the heart that beats over 100,000 times a day to pump blood and nutrients throughout my body without even having to thinking about it, the magical moments spent with my wife and 3 wonderful boys and even the small things like receiving a message or phone call from an old friend wishing me well.

In more recent times I have also taken a more involved role within AHHA and joined the management committee. My role at the moment has been to help with information technology such as updating our website and also attending monthly meetings, also helping with fundraisers and field trip planning. This year I have also been handed the role of Optometry team leader and am very proud to be given the opportunity to serve. Apart from spending quality time with family and friends, my top interests are ongoing fitness and health training and running ultra marathons, obstacle course racing, as well as scuba diving and fishing. I also look forward to our fundraising events such as the annual big fundraiser where we get to let our hair loose. It's during these fun times at events and field trips where bonds, friendship as well as a sense of family are forged.

Lastly I have also been dedicated to a life of constant and never ending improvement and making sure to work on all areas of life. In order to live a happy and fulfilled life we must meet all 6 human needs (certainty, variety, significance, love, growth and contribution) and the key to this is to convert experiences that are uncomfortable but are good for you, good for others and good for the greater good and convert them into experiences that feel good, are good for you, good for others and good for the greater good. It's also not about us making sure that we “tick off” all our goals though what is important is who we become in the process. Each day if you choose to make a 1% shift or improvement you can only imagine the compounded growth you have an entire year.

If you see me around, don't be shy and just say hello. I'm always happy to have a chat or drink especially after our work during the field trips.