James sees the light ahead

JAMES Willis broke down as he spoke of the hardship he has endured from glaucoma and cataracts, and of the relief to finally be treated locally for his condition.
He and his wife Betty, both in their 70s, have had to make numerous trips to Brisbane for treatment.
By the end of the year the Sunshine Coast should be able to offer the same treatment thanks to a fund raising initiative of the Wishlist Foundation.
“That’s how much of a relief it is,” Mr Willis said as he brushed away the tears.
Mr Willis has been on a waiting list for surgery for more than three years. He said the condition had made even simple activities difficult.
“It makes it difficult to walk. When I look down at the ground, all I see is a big blur,” he said.
“You don’t know where the dips are or where the hills are. If I fall down I can’t get back up.”
Wishlist is the Sunshine Coast’s leading charity and has raised more than $9 million to purchase medical equipment and support local public hospitals.
The latest project will raise funds to improve and expand the Coast’s ophthalmology services through Wishlist House.
In conjunction with Ausmar Homes and Stockland, a home will be built from scratch using donated goods and services. It will then be auctioned, with all proceeds going towards helping people like Mr Willis.
Ausmar Homes director Tim Hendy said it was a project in which the award-winning building company was keen to be involved.
Ausmar will manage the project from start to finish and will liaise with local businesses to organise all the supplies, equipment, labour and subcontractors free of charge.
Wishlist is urging the community to get behind the cause.
For more information or to donate, contact Ausmar on 5442 6413