Mobile screening unit tests Sisters children

Nancy Dempsey administers a hearing test on Austin Nicholson.

Sisters children got their vision and hearing checked last week during the first visit of the Oregon Lions Mobile Screening Unit on Friday, September 27.

Screeners offered free hearing and eye tests for all first and second grade students at the Sisters Elementary school.

"We are testing for visual acuity, and we also test the children on how well they see up close," Dick LeFrancis, MSU facilitator, explained.

"The school district wanted us to test the first and second graders to get them while they're young. But the smaller they are, the longer the testing can take."

LeFrancis supervises the volunteers who give the tests and drives the screening unit.

The mobile screening unit is a 44-foot converted fifth-wheel trailer.

It has two rooms -- one for visual screening (complete with eye charts).

The second is equipped with five audiometers to test for hearing.

"We provide the screening free of charge," LeFrancis said. "The school then does the follow-up with the parents.

"We also do public screenings for adults. In addition to screening for vision and hearing, we can test for diabetes, blood pressure, and glaucoma."

As the name implies, the Mobile Screening Unit is sponsored by the Oregon Lions Club, a community service organization.

Larry Simonson, the president of the newly-formed Three Sisters Lions Club, was on hand to help with the screening.

"The Lions Club in Sisters just got its charter on June 1," he said.

"The Lions are all about community service, and the Mobile Screening Unit is just one project that we have."