Trustingt My Memory vs My Sight

I was asked to introduce one of the two honorees at the recent Foundation Fighting Blindness Dinner in San Francisco. It was the first time I spoke in front of close to 500 people and it was truly a surreal experience. I was just getting over pneumonia and not feeling 100%. My voice was hanging on by a thread, but I managed to pull it off.

I was worried there would not be enough light to see for me to read my speech/introduction, so I asked Ron to print a couple of copies in different fonts (just in case). At the very last minute, I decided to use the copy with the larger font. BAD DECISION. I only practiced with the smaller font copy, so I kept loosing my spot. It was amazing that I did not FREAK OUT or loose my composure. Instead, I took a deep breath, paused and spoke from memory until I found my place again. In the end, it all worked out. The pauses caused a great reaction in the crowd and worked to my advantage. Who knew!

If only my high school speech teacher could see me now. I remember that being one of the most painful classes ever and I was not even remotely close to average at delivering speeches, but instead the classic epitome of awful.
Here is a copy of my speech. Enjoy the read.

**************************************************************************************

Good evening.

My name is Lorie Hirson and it is my honor to introduce Dr. Stephen McLeod. I met Dr. McLeod through my involvement with the Foundation Fighting Blindness and That Man May See, which is the supporting foundation of UCSF Ophthalmology Department.

I am a patient of Dr. Jacque Duncan, who you just heard from, which has allowed my path to cross many times with Dr. McLeod. I was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa when I was 18 years old, but it wasn’t until very recently that I felt comfortable sharing my story and feeling I could make a difference.

The truth is while every one of us can make a difference, which is why we’re here tonight, Dr. McLeod transforms people’s lives every single day in a significant and positive way. He uses his tremendous gift as a doctor to manage and mentor a department of world-class ophthalmologists at UCSF, one the nations premier medical institutions. He teaches and educates a group of talented and up-and-coming residents who represent the next generation of innovators searching for a cure for blindness. And, he is an amazing clinician dedicated to his patients and spends countless hours on his feet in surgery giving his patients back their sight as god had originally intended.

During my first visit with Dr. McLeod, I got a sense of his extraordinary skills and the delicate hand it takes to be an eye surgeon. A small group of us were touring the UCSF Ophthalmology Department and he asked for a volunteer. He sat me down in front of a microscope and introduced me to my cataract patient, which was a bright red tomato. He handed me the needle and guided my hand under the microscope with patience and kind words. His easy coaching manner allowed my shaky hand to complete its first suture. I was terrified and it was only a tomato. I handed over the needle and Dr. McLeod showed us with ease and grace how to suture an eye. We witnessed an artist at work.

I recognize many of you may not have the pleasure of meeting Dr. McLeod personally. In addition for my wish for Dr. McLeod and his team of brilliant clinical scientists to find a cure for RP and other debilitating eye diseases, I wish that you could have the simple pleasure of sharing a conversation with Dr. McLeod. Beyond his surgical brilliance, he is a wonderful husband, father and friend. He is humble, gracious and always willing to lend a hand.

I do not consider myself a star-struck person, but every time I am in the presence of Dr. McLeod, I am in awe of what he has accomplished in the field of ophthalmology and what he is giving back to me personally, as well as for every other individual combating an eye disease.

Thank you for sharing your gift and standing up every day to give back and make a difference to improve the lives of those impacted with eye disease today, as well as reducing the burden of blindness for future generations.
Congratulations Dr. McLeod on your honor this evening.