The Tortilla Story: Dr. Glenda Aleman’s Lesson in Respecting Every Patient
Dr. Glenda Aleman, OD, often shares a story that changed her life and the way she practices eye care.
Back when she worked in an optical shop in Honduras, there was a woman who sold tortillas on the street corner. Glenda and her coworkers would stop by every morning, buy a few tortillas, grab an avocado, and enjoy breakfast. Over time, they built a warm, familiar relationship.
One day, that same woman walked into the optical to get glasses. Glenda greeted her with excitement and immediately led her to the economy frame board. But the woman stopped and asked, “What the hell is this?” Then she looked Glenda in the eye and said, “You brought me here because I sell tortillas and you don’t think I can afford anything else.”
It was a moment Glenda never forgot.
The woman had been saving for a premium frame she’d admired for months—and Glenda had almost denied her that opportunity because of an assumption.
Her takeaway: Never judge a patient’s ability to pay. Always present every option. Let the patient decide what’s right for them.
It’s a lesson that continues to shape how Dr. Aleman educates and empowers her patients today.