"The gift that keeps on giving"
This week Dorrie shares how technology has made all the difference for her in living with vision loss.
Hadley
The gift that keeps on giving
Dorrie: I would have to say, that the outstanding category for me, has been technology. Along the way, it has given me back so many things, so many functions that vision loss made difficult or impossible.
Marc: This is Hadley’s Insights and Sound Bites, where people facing vision loss share what has helped them cope and adjust.
Dorrie Rush: My name is Dorrie Rush and I am from New York. I have Stargardt disease and have lived with progressive vision loss for more than 30 years.
There is one device that plays a major role in every single day in so many ways for me, and that is the smartphone. The smartphone of my choice is the iPhone.
From the beginning, I learned to use voiceover, the screen reader. So, everything on the screen is read to me, which takes a lot of the stress out of trying to decipher or magnify everything on such a small screen.
I also use Siri to the maximum of my ability, which is very helpful because obviously in many ways the voice assistant makes verbal commands, voice commands easier to accomplish.
I also, of course, use the clock. Very difficult finding out what time it is when you have difficulty seeing. I use reminders a great deal and just things that I need to remember at a certain time. And I also am an incessant list maker, so I have a lot of lists. I love checking the weather. It's always nice to know what's happening in the weather.
I use Seeing AI, the app from Microsoft to read signs, to read documents and to read product barcodes, which is helpful when you're shopping or when you are cooking dinner and right now, I'm using voice memos to record this.
It sounds like a lot, but I learned one app at a time very patiently and with a lot of help from Hadley's workshops, which are the best. So, I can't imagine functioning without a smartphone. It is the gift that keeps giving.
Marc: You never know who might need to hear your story. If you’d like to share with us, just leave us a message on our Insights & Sound Bites voicemail. By calling, 847-512-4867. Or, you can use your smartphone or computer and email us a recording to [email protected].
All Episodes
-
Episode 99
Rebecca was used to handling things on her own, but vision loss brought anger, frustration, and challenges she hadn't expected. Over time, she found a different way forward, making room for the hard days, accepting help, and finding people who understood.
-
Episode 98
As her vision changed, Martha worried her world might start getting smaller. But a trip reminded her that she didn't have to give up the things she loved. Turns out, asking for a little help can take you a long way.
-
Episode 97
Vision loss doesn't always happen all at once. For Kara, it keeps changing, which means she's constantly figuring out what she can and can't do. Hear how she's learning to adjust, deal with the frustrations, and take each day as it comes.
-
Episode 96
For Carolyn, connecting with people has always come naturally. When vision loss made it harder to recognize faces, she worried about missing those everyday connections. Hear how speaking up about her vision helped others understand what she needed.
-
Episode 95
A close call on a walk changed the way Lance thinks about living with vision loss. It reminded him to stay open, keep learning, and keep moving forward.
-
Episode 94
For Dottie, losing her vision meant giving up many things, and there was one farewell that hit especially hard. But after making a difficult choice to let go of something she loved, Dottie found a new perspective on what she had lost—and gained.
-
Episode 93
Linda always imagined retirement would mean doing the volunteer work she loved, but after losing her eyesight, she thought that chapter of her life was over. Then one memorable hospital visit reminded her she still had exactly what people needed.
-
Episode 92
As Mary's vision worsened, the life she'd always known began slipping out of reach. She wasn't sure where to turn or what might help. But a chance meeting changed things for her in ways she now hopes to pass on.
-
Episode 91
When Susan began losing vision, she grew fearful about the future. But she found a source of hope and courage.
-
Episode 90
Early in her journey with vision loss, Char was bitter and angry at the world. But one day, a heartfelt conversation helped her turn a corner and, as she put it, "look at vision loss through different eyes."
-
Episode 89
The impact vision loss had on Todd's life was profound. Through cycles of anger and depression, he often took it out on those who cared most about him. Then he started channeling those emotions into a new activity, and that made all the difference for him and his family.
-
Episode 88
When Pat was diagnosed with an inherited retinal disease, her doctor told her she wouldn't go completely blind, but her life would change forever. And while it's been a hard road, she's found some things along the way that help.
Join the Hadley Community
Hadley's resources are always available to you. Create a no-cost Hadley account to go further:
-
Pick up where you left off Everything you start is automatically saved across Hadley.
-
Personalized recommendations We'll suggest resources based on your interests.
-
Join live discussions Live and lively discussions on technology, cooking, and more, all geared toward the community of people living with vision loss.
-
Find peer support Connect with people who understand what you're going through.