"I can make something out of what I have left"
Michael's vision loss led him down a long, uncomfortable road, discovering what he had to let go of and what he could still hold on to for his future. He continues to challenge himself to try new things.
Hadley
I can make something out of what I have left
Michael: My journey began into trying to recover what was left and find out what still in front of me.
Marc: This is Hadley’s Insights and Sound Bites, where people facing vision loss share what has helped them cope and adjust.
Michael: My name is Michael Stinger and I'm from Wichita, Kansas. I had a unknown heart problem, which caused me to have a very minor stroke, and, I just ignored it. I didn't think anything was going on really. It just, you know, pretty minor. And I didn't know that's what it was.
Go forward about 8 or 9 months, and I had a second stroke, and this one was pretty good. It, took out, a good portion of the vision in my left side, as well as a few other things like taste and smell are not working correctly. And I was diagnosed with a heart problem. So, at the time, I was a patrol sergeant for a police department.
And due to my vision loss, they kept me on for eight months trying to burn vacation and see if I could get better. And turns out at the 20-year mark, right at, I had to retire, because of my vision problems.
So, my journey began into trying to recover what was left and find out what still in front of me.
Luckily, I still had, resources. I'm currently labeled as a disabled veteran at the VA, and it took me about four years to get to the point where I actually asked them for help. Where they sent me to one of the rehab centers for low vision and got me some of the tools that I needed to get around, including a long cane and the support cane.
And it's been a long road and it's been uncomfortable, and I can't drive. And so, like most of you, I experienced transportation issues and whatnot. However, I do have friends who get out and do a lot of fishing, so I'm challenging myself. I've been challenging myself for the last few years to go fishing with them and learn how to tie these knots, mostly by memory and somewhat by vision with the tools that I have.
And I have found a lot of success for that endeavor. I actually won a national fishing tournament. And that was a major achievement, a bucket list, if you will. And that pushed me to the point where I'm not going to let anything stop me. I realized I can make something out of, what I have left.
So, I would say that I'm kind of a success story, but I haven't reached the success part yet. But I'm getting there, and I don't know when that will be, but I hope this encourages you guys. And thank you very much.
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 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.
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Episode 37
Listen in as Vanessa shares what has helped keep her from feeling hopeless and defeated due to vision loss.
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Episode 36
Stacy shares with us how being honest about her vision loss with her friends and coworkers has made all the difference in the world.
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Episode 35
For many, having to give up the car keys due to vision loss is traumatic. Deb felt it too. Then, during a call to arrange transportation for herself, a new door opened.
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Episode 34
Listen in as Anne describes how a question posed to her shifted her perspective for living with vision loss.
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Episode 33
This week, William shares how learning to continue with his favorite hobby, even with vision loss, has been therapeutic—and uplifting. Here's the link to his website https://www.blindtruths.org/
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Episode 32
This week Angela shares how she struggled to get around due to vision loss, how she tried to hide it from others, and what helped her.
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Episode 31
This week we hear from Appreciate. She found that a Facebook group, The International Blind Cafe, gave her a source of comfort and encouragement.
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Episode 30
Marian's inner voice had her living in fear. Listen in as she shares how she redirected that voice to be more helpful for her.
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Episode 29
This week Dorrie shares how technology has made all the difference for her in living with vision loss.