In early 1977, while many of my fellow MBOS colleagues were either starting their optometric education, careers or practices, I (at the age of seven) was about to embark on a new life in search of freedom, to escape a life of oppression; the future unknown, the journey dangerous, but the promise of a better life worth the risk.

After the Fall of Saigon in 1975, and South Vietnam falling into Communist control, my parents left mainland Vietnam and resettled on a tiny island just off the coast of South Vietnam.  There my mother taught children in a single room school and my father started a water taxi business ferrying people between the island and mainland.  All the while, my father started a covert operation for the family to escape Vietnam to go to America.  Finally on a clear morning in April 1977, having established themselves as “respected & contributing” members of the island, my parents, with the aid of an elderly seaman, initiated the escape plan in phases so as to not draw suspicion.  My mother, my siblings and I, and two other families were to be picked up at different sites on the island.  In spite of the careful planning, our escape did not go unnoticed.  During the final pickup point, Communist police forces fired upon our group, some as they swam toward the waiting boat.  This final image, the sounds of shots fired from their riffles and pistols as the boat was fleeing, and the fading image of the last vestige of my homeland (like the setting sun) as the boat gained more distance are things I shall never forget.

Our group, now refugees, sailed for three days on the open sea, fortunately didn’t run into infamous sea pirates and the horrors of which they perpetrated.  We arrived in Thailand and joined thousands others in crowded refugee camps.  My parents sold the boat and were able to use the money to buy extra food beyond the rations for the family, and to buy fabric for my mother to make us clothes.  Due to my father’s military service to both South Vietnam Army and U.S. forces in Vietnam, we were able apply to go to America and after a relative short stay of five months (others can linger there for many years), we were on our way to America.

Arriving in Hawaii with little more than a few small suitcases, $15, and a little aid and guidance from a small Vietnamese community, we began our new life with freedom.  Our story from that point on is like those of countless other immigrants before us:  a lot of sacrifices, hard work, a drive and persistence to succeed.  And similar to some, there was no turning back for us:  America was our new home now and we became citizens of the U.S.A., with its rights and responsibilities.

Fast forward 20 years later: In 1997, my husband, Will, and I arrived in the beautiful Monterey Bay and have the privilege of residing here since.  I graduated from UC Davis in 1992 and UC Berkeley School of Optometry in 1996.  I have been a member of AOA since 1992, COA since 1996, and MBOS since 1997.

Some memorable experiences in optometry include work revolving around vision screening:  a year through the Alameda Contra Costa County’s Modified Clinical Technique (MCT) school vision screening program,  public service vision screenings for indigent population in Berkeley and in Modesto,  local school vision screenings and talks about optometrists and eye care to students at several elementary schools and preschools.  My favorite is a VOSH trip to the Philippines.

Currently, I work as an associate optometrist at a private practice in Watsonville.  I have been a MBOS board member since 2005 and have served as Public Awareness