Tim Hopping

My name is Tim Hopping, and I am a retired Elementary School Teacher and Counselor.  For the first 9 years I worked in the field of Education, I was a classroom teacher, and after that I began working as an Elementary Counselor.  In 2011, I decided it was time to retire, but I continued to substitute teach in DeForest until 2019.

Our family lives in Waunakee with 2 older cats, Ricky and Lucy, and a 4-year-old Golden Retriever, which we rescued from the GRROW group.  We have 2 adult sons and 2 grandchildren who live in the area.

I first noticed that my eyesight was changing in 2004 when I went to the ophthalmologist for my yearly eye exam, because my vision had become very blurry, and I thought I just needed a new prescription for my glasses.  I was 54 years old, so the news that I had Glaucoma was indeed shocking.  The pressure in my right eye had reached 54, which was extremely high.  Immediately, I was put on drops to help bring it down, but some damage had already been done.  It was surprising because I had no pain, headaches, etc., just the blurriness.  I now encourage people to get an annual eye exam, or if they notice any vision changes.

Over the years, I have had several procedures and eye surgeries on my right eye.  My first cornea transplant on my right eye was in 2013, but by that time, my Glaucoma had affected my vision, and some had been lost.  The Doctor told me to pick the date when I wanted to do the surgery, and the Wisconsin Eye Bank and Lions Club would help with the rest.  It was at that point that I decided to join the Waunakee Lions Club.

I have been a member of the Waunakee Lions Club for 10 years, serving on various projects and serving as a former President and Board Member.  Most rewarding to me is working with the Eye Tissue Transporting every February and August to help deliver to Wisconsin Surgery Centers.  This experience is special to me because I know firsthand how it can help someone regain their vision.  I also previously worked with the Elementary Vision Screening Program.

Last summer, the ophthalmologist thought a second cornea transplant might help my vision, because the first one was failing.  My left eye so far has had the Glaucoma controlled with medication drops, but because of medical advances, I was going to get another transplant.  This one was a different type that used both artificial and human components.  She felt this would be more likely to improve my vision.

The Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin has been a special blessing to me because of the donation program.  It is only possible because the donors’ families are willing to allow their loved ones who have passed to be part of it.  For that, I am eternally grateful to everyone who has helped me regain some of my sight so I can have a chance to see the beauty of the world I live in again.