New eye offers hope after bus attack

as posted here

The bus driver who lost an eye after a vicious attack was overjoyed at getting an artificial replacement yesterday, but says the incident has left him with ongoing nightmares and a heightened fear for his safety.

Gerard Sin, of Thornlie, said he was pleased with the life-like appearance of the prosthesis after it was fitted yesterday.

But while the physical scars are healing, Mr Sin said he was still having nightmares that started immediately after the rock attack. "On my first night I dreamt a group of people were pounding on me," Mr Sin, 59, said.

"They were jumping on to me and I got so scared I tried to kick them. My wife woke me up and I was delirious. I even asked my wife to make sure the door was locked."

Mr Sin was driving along Church Avenue, Armadale, on July 31 when he was hit in the face with a rock after refusing to let a group of men get on the bus. Doctors removed his left eye five days later.

Mr Sin reiterated yesterday that it was unlikely he would return to the job because he feared his mononuclear vision would put passengers at risk.

The father of two was also reluctant to put his wife Camilla through more anguish after she had long begged him to give up the dangerous work. The devout Christian said he might do some part-time work for his Presbyterian Church and was considering a request from his wife to become a "househusband".

He said he hoped to have counselling one day to cope with the trauma, but in the meantime, was managing to maintain his sense of humour.

Ocularist Jenny Geelen, from West Perth's Artificial Eye Services, said muscles around the eye socket had grown around an implant which was installed when the eyeball was removed. This allowed his artificial eye to move at the same time and in the same direction as his right eye.

The Christmas Islander and Friends Association is taking donations for Mr Sin at any Westpac branch. A morning tea fundraiser will be held at 9.30am on Friday at Westpac's Armadale branch.


as posted here