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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBioJourney to Little Havana I would be remiss if I were asked to write a paper related to the Little Havana's history and did not write about Dr. Mario M. Perez, my father. He has had an established business, Optica Futura, and his Optometric practice at 1846 SW 8'�' Street, in the heart of Little Havana, since January 7, 1974. Dr. Perez studied and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the "Instituto de la Habana Numer Uno" in 1946. He then entered the school of optometry at The University of Havana where he graduated as an Optometric Doctor ( OD ) in 1948. His journey was not an easy one. Being the youngest of seven children, raised by his widowed father, grandmother and sisters since the age of 4, his dream was always to become an ophthalmologist but had to settle for optometry because his family could not afford to help him through school. He worked his way through college at his uncles business, "El Mauser", an optical and jewelry store. His job was to clean and mop floors as well as run errands for the business; in other words he was the "gopher". On Saturdays his task was to distribute "kilos" or pennies to the poor of "La Habana Vieja", Old City of Havana. It was during this time that he learned compassion for the poor and as a result he worked and studied hi_yder in order to secure a better life for himself and his family. He worked his way up at "El Mauser", until he was able to work at its optical. It was there that he gained the experience and confidence to establish his own practice. It was not until July 13, 1953 that the first Optica Futura opened its doors on San Rafael Street, one of the busiest commercial streets in Havana, in the heart of the city. He worked endless hours to build up his practice and business along with my mother, Helena Balsinde. It was not common for wives in the early fifties to work outside the home, especially one that came from a very wealthy family. Optica Futura was a well known and respected establishment and Dr. Perez proved to be an exceptional optometrist, one of the first in the city to fit contact lenses. Just when business was flourishing and at its peak, Castro's communist government seized his establishment, and his life long dream was crushed and taken away. On August 15, 1965 the government abruptly closed his doors and he was never allowed to enter Optica Futura again, not even to retrieve personal items. Not money, not equipment or merchandise belonging to him was as important to him as a picture. Everything in the store now belonged to the government. His most prized possession was a beautiful portrait of my sister which hung at the center of the optical as its focal point. Why was this picture so important? My parents had decided to send my sister to the United States, by herself, at the tender age of 8 to meet my aunt, uncle and cousins on August 17, 1961. It was at the time that Castro declared "Patna Potestad", which meant that all children belonged to the government. The original plan was for the rest of us to follow her shortly after, since she would be allowed to apply for political asylum and request from the American government our exit from Cuba and entry into the United States. At the time of the seizing it had already been five years that we had not seen her. We, along with all other Cubans, were prisoners on our own island. In life, though, it is usually better whom you know than what you know and someone who knew someone was able to retrieve the picture and gave it to my . parents. That,same picture now hangs in his practice, at his optical here in Miami, in the heart of Little Havana. Dr. Perez was no longer able to work or provide for his family. The government knew of his desires to flee the island and was quick to intervene and take over his business, in order to make life harder for him and his family. Luckily Castro had opened what he called "Vuelos de la Libertad" or Freedom Flights in 1965 and Dr. Perez had quickly applied running the risk of losing what he had worked so hard to obtain. On January 17`h, 1966 the government once again invaded his privacy and broke into our home and took possession of our condominium, in the well known area of Vedado. Jobless and now homeless he depended on family and friends brave enough to provide shelter and to share the already rationed food supply. They took us in knowing that there would be repercussions for harboring "traitors". It was not until April 13, 1966 that we were able to join my sister in the United States after several previous dates were set and then suddenly cancelled.. This is the way the communist government works, using fear tactics and always letting you know that you are at their mercy. Dr. Perez's first job in the United States was at Town Optical in downtown Miami, not as a doctor or an optician, but at their lab cutting and edging lenses and making minimum wage. While working at Town Optical he began studying and preparing for the Opticians Board Exam. He took the exam and passed it in 1968, just 2 years after arriving in thiountry. After having worked for four years at Town Optical he was offered a position as a Licensed Optician at Sterling Optical on Lincoln Road, where he worked until 1974. He not only worked full time at Sterling Optical but also moonlighted in the evenings and became vice-president of The Cuban Optometric Association in Exile (COA). He worked endless hours along side America Parla, president, in order for Cuban optometrists to obtain professional recognition. He was an advocate and crucial member of the COA who was able to negotiate, with the help of The American Optometric Association (AOA), for Cuban optometrists to take a one year course, from September 15, 1975 to September 30, 1976, at the University of Miami. After the successful completion of this course they were then allowed to take the Board of Optometry Exam. On February 1977, along with 40 other Cuban Optometrists, he sat for the exam. On March 19, 1977, he and twelve others received the great news that they were officially optometrists and allowed to practice in the United States. Did I mention that in the midst of all the work, lobbying and studying he had opened the doors of Optica Futura in Miami. On January 7, 1974 the American Dream became a reality. In the heart of Little Havana, at the Monaco Building, the same original sign hangs on the exterior walls. The original store was a mere 630 square feet, and after receiving his OD license he expanded and set up his practice adjacent to the optical. The furniture and decor have changed (not by much!), but the will to serve the Little Havana Community and the people of Cuba is still there. He is well known in Cuba for filling prescriptions to anyone who sends him a letter requesting a pair of glasses. For decades he has been sending eyeglasses, free of charge, to strangers in dire need who would otherwise not be able to afford them. He gives free eye exams to relatives I didn't even know existed and to any patient who find themselves in a precarious situation. He offers them an unconditional payment plan knowing that most will never pay him. Sounds like a plan to fail, but it has actually been one to succeed. His desire to give is endless and is part of what has made him successful. At age 83 he still drives to the store daily, works in his practice 2 to 3 times a week and refuses to move the business to a different location. His heart and soul belong to Little Havana. Shortly after receiving his Optometric Doctor's license he worked closely with the Dade County Optometric Association (DCOA), first as trustee then secretary/treasurer, then as vice-president and finally as president of DCOA in 1990. He was the second Cuban American to hold this position. Giving back to the community, to those who helped him achieve his goals, has always been a priority. He is still the acting president of the COA in Exile, and has been for over fifteen years. His energy, hard work, determination and enthusiasm are to be admired. On many occasions my sister and I have attempted to move the optical to a location closer to home, to no avail. His desire has always been to be in the heart of the Cuban community and he remains true to his roots in Little Havana. Having been in business for over 35 years, in the same location, make him and Optica Futura an integral part of Little Havana's history. Stories such as this one are not in history books, but should not go untold or unnoticed. They should be shared as a sample of loyalty to their surrounding community. His story is close to home for me, but what I have learned in putting all the facts together has been priceless as I hope it has for you, the reader. Ana Maria Rodriguez License #481171 Sources: Interview of Dr. Mario M. Perez -Martinez