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Show Page 4 HILL TOP TIMES June 17, 1977 SAFETY COBWEB. Wear your safety glasses, eyes are priceless (EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was written by Sgt. Walter D. Brown. It remains in his own words and has not been edited. Sgt. Brown wrote the article on his own initiative, his sole purpose being to save someone else the agony he has gone daylight. The pain from my eye was constant. The pain would race all over my face causing my good eye to weaken and also go blind. It was like 20 Vikings jamming an oak tree through the king's castle doors. I was helpless. For 2 years I worked approximately 3 months. My time was spent in hospitals and convalescent leave. I was drinking close to 40 dollars a week in liquor. It didn't relieve the pain, but I was so fired up it didn't matter. I was scared of becoming an alcoholic, so the hospital started giving me pain pills. I started with mild pain pills, then went on to stronger pills that could knock out a fighting bull. Still, no pain relief. My doctors were becoming worried that I might get addicted to these pills. I was popping close to 70 a week. The condition in my eye was through. The article is published with permission of Industrial Safety Magazine.) If you are like me and millions of other people, that is a juestion you may never think about until it is too late. Well, it s too late for me for I have already lost the sight of one eye. I ruly hope in reading this article that you find out how much our eyes are worth to you or your loved ones in life. I used to be a jet engine mechanic working on the lercules cargo plane. This was my job for 5 years. I had also C-1- 30 worsening. lanned to continue my career as a mechanic after my nlistment was over. On December 6, 1974, my career ended and a nightmare began. While working on a engine change during a TDY in Colorado, I had the misfortune of being too close to the safety wire. While safety wiring a cannon plug, the safety wire pliers bucked on me, causing the wire to penetrate through the middle of my right eye. I saw the wire coming, but there was no time to move. Even if I could have blinked, at the force and speed the wire was coming it would have pierced my eyelid too. For the next 2 years I went through hell. Words have not been written to describe the pain and heartaches I have experienced. The vision in my right eye was listed as which is blindness. I had developed a cataract, which is a clouding of the lens of the eye, obstructing the passage of light. My first operation brought back my vision with the help of a contact lens. I thought my problems were over, but they had just begun. I developed Glaucoma, which causes double vision. While driving or reading, my good eye would see straight ahead while the other eye was seeing two of everything; and, the road was always heading toward the sky. As time went on, my depth perception worsened. I walked into things in broad I started traveling to surrounding hospitals for help. In a period, I visited hospitals for 30 days or more in the following order: The Air Force Academy, Hill AFB Medical Center, David Grant Medical Center at Travis AFB, Kirtland AFB Medical Center, Sheppard Regional Hospital, Brooks Medical Center, Albuquerque VA Hospital, and Wilford Hall Medical Center three times. This does not count the private physicians downtown. The mental strain and personal problems are something I never want to go through again, or see anyone else go through. As a result of these visits, I received only temporary relief for my eye. On December 7, 1976, 2 years and one day later my eye came out. Continuous tests showed that my eye was dead and would soon start causing trouble to my good eye. My medical bill, if I were a civilian, would take two lifetimes to pay, not counting my false eye, which cost $800. My VA benefits are only 40 percent with $52 extra a month for loss of eye, leg or arm. This doesn't come close to $300 a month for an E-- I don't know about you, but to me an eye is worth much more than that. I could go on and on talking about all the new adjustments I have had to make with only one eye. Some things I'll never get used to, like popping out my eye to clean it. And looking at a hole in my face for the rest of my life. I am not bitter nor have I any down feelings. I am grateful for the moral support I received from friends and people in my squadron. I'm also grateful to the many physicians involved to rid me of my pain and saving my remaining eye. I work in Special Services now, in the base gym. I hope to start a new and safe career. I am only 24 years old. I hope in reading my story you will have a new outlook on the value of your eyes. If, by chance, you don't, all I can say is that you are FOOLISH. Take it from one who knows. I've been there; they're priceless. So, wherever you are, at work or play, WEAR YOUR SAFETY GLASSES. It only takes a second to put them on, to save a lifetime of light. 2-y- - 4. C-1- 30 20-20- 0, OOO9OOd0$dOOOOOOO o ooo e e o o 5387 So. 1950 West PHONE k 1 P it. I i it 825-100- rJL. & 9 m e HRS: o e Daily Except Sunday 6 10-- 6 EXTENSIVE BLACK POWDER SUPPLIES & ACCESSORIES O KITS O REVALVERSO RIFLES SHOTGUNS A SERVICE FOR OUR MILITARY CUSTOMERS: We will receive personal guns being shipped to you. o o o e o o o o o ROY o o o G COMPLETE RELOADING DEPARTMENT: G Let us help you with all your reloading problems. O ooeoeoooeeoo oo ooooooooooo 0 A r THE Model Car An integral part of the JUMPS program is automatic deposit of your paycheck into your check- ing or savings account. At First Security's two banks, we've been doing that on our own for years, for many of our Hill Field customers. Our experience makes the plan easy to start and convenient to stay with And, as your bank, we're well equipped to accept automatic deposits. on-ba- se on-ba- se How Automatic Deposits benefit you RELIABLE You are assured your pay will be credited to your account on payday even if you are on leave, TDY or during a PCS. No standing in line to make your deposit, no side trips on your way home. CONVENIENT SAFE There is no risk of a loss of your deposit in transit. Sign up for JUMPS automatic payroll plan at either of our two Hill Air Force Base offices. FIRST SECURITY BANK n.a. of utah, West area bldg. 1235 Hours: 10:00 to 4:00 East area bldg. 442 a.m. p.m. Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Member FDIC -G' i i. Ex Truck Contest IFT i i i 1st annua CERTIFICATES & TROPHIES SIGN-U- P NOW FREE Model Building Classes - -- a Beginner thru Intermediate June 14th thru August 24th CaTF "u "at f40 0 for" de taTTs" 8 We're in the Roy Shopping Center INTERMOUNTAIN MODELS INTERMOUNTAIN MODELS 10 10DISCOUHT DISCOUNT One Per Person Good thru July 30 One Per Person Good thru July 30 SIGN UP FOR FREE ENTRY BUGATTI MODEL JULY 2nd I l l I |