Wesson is a state licensed hearing health care provider along with a board certified hearing instrument specialist and a certified audioprosthologist, and has been a trusted hearing healthcare provider in the area since 1979.

"It's difficult to describe the expression on their face to hear for the first time," Wesson said Monday from his new office at 1079 Eucalyptus St. Suite B.

Harder, who is also maintaining his optometry practice in Modesto, has a long-time affiliation with Medical Ministry International. He's currently the optometry director for the non-sectarian humanitarian organization that provides medical care to mostly Latin American countries such as the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Honduras, Columbia, Peru, and El Salvador.

Because Medical Ministry is a charitable organization, Harder indicated that allowing patients from wealthy families specifically to defray cost would otherwise push out the much needier poor.

The Medical Ministry clinic does charge the poor an affordable fee that's based on a day's wage. "It gives them a sense of ownership and pride," Harder said.

He added: "It's not whether the care is available — Mexico's has a better economy — it's just that people in those countries don't have access to a health care program."

In some cases, he said the numbers at the clinic can be so staggering that the medical professional team will opt to examine just a single family member. For example, a parent may have a severe eye problem that's hereditary, Harder said.

A graduate of UC Davis — he attended UC Berkeley for optometry school — Harder has been involved in the Medical Ministry for over 20 years.

Included are thousands of pairs of used eye glasses, with most being donated by service organizations such as Lions Club (those seeking donate old eye wear can do so at any optometry office including Harder's place).

While the clinics are short-term solution projects, Harder said that Medical Ministry has hopes of establishing 500 self-supporting clinics by 2050.

Meanwhile, Wesson is proud of the outside work of his professional partner. He, too, is looking become more involved in assisting the needs of the poor.

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