Title: Ready for 20/20 for 1st Time Since 3rd Grade Author: Brian Holst My vision first started deteriorating during the third grade. I was no longer able to read the chalkboard from the back of the room and had to be moved closer to the front. That summer my mom took me to the eye doctor for the first time; there I was told I would need glasses. I was sensitive about my looks then and begged to get contacts instead. Even though I was told I was very young to have contacts, I did end up getting them, being told I was the youngest person to ever get them. I was very responsible with them, and in fact never lost a single one until just a couple years ago. Now, over twenty-three years later, having worn them every day, I estimate I have put my contacts in and taken them out over 17,000 times. I broke down six years ago shortly before my son was born and purchased my first and only pair of glasses. My vision had deteriorated so much since those days in third grade that I could no longer even read a book without my contacts being in my eyes. My eyes were so near-sighted that I had to hold a book up to my face with my nose touching the pages to make the words come into focus enough to read. I felt glasses were a necessity for those late-night baby wake-up calls, and indeed they were. I appreciate this chance to tell my story and look forward to having my vision corrected so that I will be able to complete even the most mundane activities, such as reading the newspaper in the morning or relaxing in bed with a book, without having to put in my contacts or find my glasses. Thank you.