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http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2313999/Key-mishap-a-lucky-break-for-blind-man

Key mishap a lucky break for blind man

The Dominion Post
Last updated 05:00 04/04/2009

A 93-year-old grandfather who was blind in both eyes is one of 120 people who have had their sight restored thanks to Prime Minister John Key's broken arm.

Warren Koumana, who has been blind for three years, had cataract surgery in the Solomon Islands this week as part of two Fred Hollows Foundation outreach programmes.

The sight-restoring surgeries in Buala on remote Ysabel Island and in the capital, Honiara, were funded by the proceeds from Mr Key's arm cast, which raised $18,500 when it was auctioned on Trade Me in February.

In the past fortnight four Solomon Islands eye doctors, all trained by the foundation, braved floods to restore sight to more than 120 locals and provide glasses to others in a country where at least 5000 people are blind and a further 15,000 suffer from poor vision and need glasses.

They also delivered a baby boy by emergency caesarean at Buala Hospital, which had been without a doctor for three months.

Mr Key broke his arm in a tumble at a Chinese community New Year celebration. His cast was signed by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and fellow leaders at the Pacific Islands Forum. The proceeds from the sale paid for surgery costs, including anaesthetic, lens and eye patches, and the eye team's flights and accommodation in the Solomons.