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Seeing is Believing

Everyone has challenges-even beauty buffs such as Boom Boom, owner of Boom Boom Brow Bar in New York City. The master brow artist has a rare thyroid eye condition from Graves' disease-an autoimmune condition that causes over activity of the thyroid, which is known as hyperthyroidism. It can, but rarely leads to thyroid disease. Since Boom Boom has had numerous surgeries, she truly understands the challenges of eye surgery and rehabilitation.

In a goodwill effort to give children the gift of sight, this entrepreneur is graciously donating $3,000 to the Volunteer Health Program (VHP) to cover 30 surgeries for children. Her heart grew three sizes when granted the opportunity to travel to the Dominican Republic, from March 8-12, to help the VHP with its mission and to raise awareness and money for the cause.

Thanks to her efforts, many children can enjoy the gift of sight! Dr. Brian Campolattaro MD, who is in charge of Pediatric Ophthalmology for VHP, sees the results of his efforts as a young girl sees her parents for the first time (see coverage here: http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/health&id=9262752).

"I would expect the child to attend normal school, read books although a larger print would be easier, be able to walk and run and play sports, says Dr. Campolattaro.

"This is something that is so close to my heart because of my personal experience physically and emotionally," says Boom Boom. "Lack of vision can take a toll on your self-esteem and confidence, and in some extreme cases be extremely debilitating. I've committed my whole life to eyes and making people feel better about themselves, but I'm no doctor, and this is a chance for me to help change lives for the bigger bolder and better. Dr. Campolattaro's a rockin' surgeon, I live to tell."

Boom Boom's mission can be tracked via https://www.facebook.com/boomboombrowbar.