Cindy McCain and my wife, Kat, have something in common (besides both being beautiful, capable women)… they have both been active volunteers with the Norfolk, Virginia based charity Operation Smile.
I was watching Mrs. McCain’s speech Thursday night at the Republican National Convention, during which she mentioned Operation Smile. This fine group of plastic surgeons, ENTs, dentists (and many other medical specialists) did the work on Bridget McCain‘s cleft lip and palette, John and Cindy’s daughter whom they were entrusted with by Mother Theresa.
This is truly a tremendous group. Kat and I both have been on several missions with them in the Philippines… Kat reporting for television coverage on The 700 Club and producing an award-winning special on their work, while I was doing pre and post op photography, shooting video and then scrubbing in and assisting in the OR.
I salute the founders of Operation Smile, Bill and Kathy McGee, they have built something that has impacted the world and is well on its way to having a volunteer living in the White House — a non-profit’s dream. My view of Cindy McCain changed drastically from the woman with seven houses to a giving and caring relief volunteer. Amazing the power of TV.
Wow! What a great day for me to check your blog! Thank you for the compliments, but I wasn’t all that impressed with Cindy’s speech — she seemed a little “slow in the draw” to me — and some of the comments she’s made to the media have been downright stupid (like reportedly saying that Gov. Sarah Palin knows about foreign policy because Alaska is close to Russia!). It’s cool that their adopted daughter was helped by Operation Smile. I have many wonderful memories of our trips with the Magees and have the greatest admiration for them!