Today we’d like to introduce you to Bernadine.
Hi Bernadine, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania, so I’ve always loved the feel of a small town. In 4th grade, we studied the stars and planets, and until I was about 20 years old, I thought I would be an astronomer. Unfortunately, the job prospects were few and most of them were teaching positions, so I looked for something similar. Optics was the link! I love how the eye and the brain process what we see and I get the added bonus of meeting people and sharing in a little bit of their lives. Being able to help someone maximize their vision and spend individual time with people has been a blessing.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Back when I first went to college, long distance phone calls were expensive and I didn’t have a vehicle. I became so homesick, that I dropped out in my first semester. I worked for 2 years in fast food and a grocery store doing 80 hour weeks until I was ready to go back to school. During those two years, there were about 2 months when I was homeless. I would clean myself at the sink at work and go about my day.
After going back to school , I was unable to attain all the financial aid I needed, so I was out of school for 6 more years while I worked to pay that debt off. Luckily, I was able to find employment in an optometry office and I fell in love with it. When I was financially able to go back to college a third time, I went to school part-time and worked in an ophthalmology office full-time as a Certified Ophthalmic Technician. I graduated with a B.S. in Psychobiology. I got my Doctor of Optometry in 2010 and was the oldest person in my class.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
We are a full-service optometry office, providing glasses, contact lenses, and medical eye care on the historic town square. I am also the Clinical Director for Special Olympics Opening Eyes in South Carolina. We meet intellectually disabled children and adults at their athletic events and provide screenings and glasses to all athletes.
We also participate in local events. Last year was the first STEAM event, which stands for science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. We had tables set up for the kids to design glasses or make kaleidoscopes.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love the small town vibes and the friendly people that reside in it. There are a lot of good people in town trying to make it better.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.laurenseyecare.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=family%20eye%20care%20center%20laurens
