As a charity we do not normally suggest to members and friends that they might like to support an online petition.
However, we recently saw one on the change.org website that we felt worth sharing.
The petition, which was started by Jessica Powell, explains that at the age of just four, her daughter was diagnosed with myopia and astigmatism in both eyes.
Jessica explains that myopia can up to one in three people in the UK, many of them being children.
Unfortunately, some children who have it need very thick lenses, which was the case with Jessica’s daughter.
Her online petition explains that the vouchers the NHS provides to families to help children who need glasses doesn’t cover the cost of thinning these lenses to enable them to fit into a child’s frame and that no alternative frames were provided.
“The lenses, heavy on her tiny face, distorted her beautiful eyes, making them look out of proportion. Every three months, high fees were paid out of pocket, with no choice but to bear it.”
Jessica says that this isn’t just her story and that countless families in the UK grapple with this problem.
Her petition declares it is crucial that this oversight in the NHS’s policy should be addressed for the well-being of our children.
“We plead for an extension of the NHS vouchers This change will not only help families financially, but it will also significantly improve the quality of life for these children.”
