"I can make my life as full and rich as I possibly can"
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.
Hadley
“I can make my life as full and rich as I possibly can”
Martha: I think that was one of my big learnings was asking for help and that really, it can change everything, it really can.
Marc: This is Hadley’s Insights and Sound Bites, where people facing vision loss share what has helped them cope and adjust.
Martha: My name is Martha Taylor and I live in Little Rock, Arkansas.
I was diagnosed with macular dystrophy and after I did some genetic testing, I had a form of Stargardt and Stargardt's is an eye condition that usually starts in young children, but you have to have two gene pairs to have that form of Stargardt. And after my genetic testing, I found out I only had one gene pair, which is why my condition didn't come on until later in life. And I really didn't notice any difference until probably about 10 years ago. And have been kind of trying to figure my way forward since then.
I've always been very independent and I love to go on trips and travel and the thing that has been the hardest for me is to ask for help and to not see that as like a character flaw or a moral failing.
I went on a two week cruise last fall with my cousin and it was a Baltic sea cruise and I've never been to that part of the world at all, but she said, "I want to do this with you."
So the first few days we kind of spent time navigating the ship and navigating the walking tours and here's the curb and here's cobblestone and you know, and I would just have to say to her, "I can't see that. Can you describe it to me? " And it was fantastic.
I thought, "Oh, traveling is done for me. " And no, it's not. And it really gives you confidence. I think that was one of my big learnings was the asking for help and that really, it can change everything, it really can.
We all need help and sometimes you need, sometimes you need a little more than other times and, I think just seeking the support of other groups or services or friends or family because we tend to isolate. We tend to say, "Oh, our world is so small now and shrinking," but it doesn't have to be. And so I just had to suck it up and just say, "I'm going to do this. I can make my life as full and rich as I possibly can, but I can't do that by myself."
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
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Episode 49
Jennifer didn't know what to do or who to go to for help as her vision was fading. Then, by chance, she found some help. She found some direction.
The book referenced in this episode is "Macular Degeneration: The Complete Guide to Saving and Maximizing Your Sight"
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Episode 48
When Carmel heard a Hadley podcast, it helped her understand what had been happening to her along with her vision loss—something she had nicknamed her "phantom vision."
Carmel mentions an episode of our sister podcast, Hadley Presents. Here's a link to that episode on Vision Loss and Charles Bonnet Syndrome.
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Episode 47
It was tough for Linda to give up driving and she was heartbroken when reading became difficult. She felt her world was shrinking. But then she asked for help.
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Episode 46
Ashia felt all alone in her vision loss. No one around her knew what she was going through. Then she found something that gave her hope.
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Episode 45
Dennis found that many aspects of life with vision loss can be a struggle. Then he found something that turned that around.
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Episode 44
Judy has lived with progressive vision loss for many years. She's found a way that helps her cope and adjust.
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Episode 43
For years Bill hid his vision loss from others. He was self-conscious about it. Then, he decided to open up.
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Episode 42
For Cynthia, every story shared helps her on her own journey with vision loss.
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Episode 41
Living with low vision meant Karen was constantly explaining to others what she can and can't see. Then she found a tool that has made a big difference.
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Episode 40
Having to give up the car keys was traumatic for Eugenia. She worried about becoming isolated until she found a new way.
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Episode 39
This week, hear how rediscovering a favorite activity helped Celia find balance as she adjusts to vision loss.
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Episode 38
Denise can struggle with the slow but continuous loss of vision she's facing. But she's found a way to pick herself up on a bad day.