A strong woman knows who she is
What you see is what you get. That might be true about many people, but when it comes to Gail Altona, it's not a completely accurate statement. There is much, much more to this soft spoken woman.
In 2015 she was awarded a certificate of merit for service to the community by the Tzaneen Chamber of Commerce. She herself, doesn’t seem to think that what she does as part of her passion, is such a big deal that one should be getting awards for it. But, be that as it may, Gail and her team do a great service to the community.
For the past twenty or so years, they have been screening children for various problems at a number of nursery- and pre-primary schools in the district. Children with major or obvious problems are referred to relevant specialists like occupational therapists or medical doctors or are sent for eye tests. But, what really makes her a little different from other optometrists are eyes …artificial eyes. She actually makes artificial eyes and she has been doing this since 1979.
Gail is one of only 15 Ocularists in South Africa and also a board member of the Ocularists Association of Southern Africa. “Being an optometrist is a much wider practice than just glasses and lenses…” and even while saying this, her passion for her job is obvious. “There are contact lenses, sports vision, visual and dyslexia therapy and specialist spectacles for sport”. She is keen to explain and demonstrate.
Out come cases filled with artificial eyes and the difference between factory-made and hand made artificial eyes is explained.
She talks about her patients who come to her from all over the country for eyes. “It’s a very private thing and there is a special relationship between us. Most of them have been coming to me since they were little children and now they are married.” Her table is filled with trinkets and little “thank-you’s” that she proudly displays. Maybe just a pinch of sentiment?
She might be filled with a great passion for her work and her patients, but there is nothing girly and weak about Gail Altona. Being a woman does not mean you have to be fluffy in pink frills. She spends hours in a workshop working with tools that most men won’t know how to handle. She doesn’t cook and she loves the outdoors on a four wheeler or in a 4×4 …but she can crochet! She understands the fine balance between being a mother and having a career. Having raised three sons and being married to a farmer, Gail Altona pretty much nailed it!
Having a wonderful team with her makes everything possible, she adds. “Riana and Sandi always go the extra mile with a smile!”
When asked what she actually thinks it means to be a real women, her answer is strong and certain :
“Someone who knows and understands her own qualities while still remaining an individual.”
