"I didn't have to figure it out on my own"
When Cliff unexpectedly lost a fair amount of his sight, he felt overwhelmed. But with time, he found a way forward.
Hadley
“I didn’t have to figure it out on my own”
Cliff: My vision loss came on really suddenly. It was really overwhelming. I felt myself grieving, just like anyone would experience with any other kind of major loss of a loved one or some major loss in their lives. It was something I couldn't change.
Marc: This is Hadley’s Insights and Sound Bites, where people facing vision loss share what has helped them cope and adjust.
Cliff: Hi, my name is Cliff Hochberg and I'm from Princeton Junction, New Jersey. I just want to share a bit of my journey with vision loss with you. I have a condition called neovascular glaucoma.
So, my vision loss came on really suddenly, and it was triggered by a medication change. My doctor wanted me to get a better medication that would allow me to go longer periods of time between my injections.
Well, unfortunately for me, the vaccine didn't work. My vision started to deteriorate. I was ultimately going to have to have surgeries in both eyes to install a shunt. That in addition to being on some different eyedrops and the hope was that everything would be fine and I wouldn't really get worse because it wasn't a degenerative condition.
But unfortunately, the nerve damage had been permanently affected me. And that's really when my life changed and my entire world turned upside down.
It was really overwhelming. I found myself riding waves of anger, depression, sadness, and it would come and go. I felt myself grieving, really, just like anyone would experience with any other kind of major loss of a loved one or some major loss in their lives. It was something I never expected. It was something I was not looking for, and it was something I couldn't change.
But here's the thing. Over time, I realized I didn't have to figure it all out on my own. I reached out to a vision occupational therapist, also a low vision doctor, and discovered that there are tools and there's technology that allowed me to accept this new way of living. It wasn't easy, but step by step, I learned to navigate my life again.
I also came to realize that while my eyesight won't improve, my ability to handle the challenges can.
While this has really affected me, I lost the ability to drive. I have to rely on my wife and other people to do things for me. I don't have total vision loss. I have low vision and I'm grateful for that.
You know, I'm grateful for the things that I, I can do. So, thanks for listening to my story. I hope that my experience can help someone else listening to this.
Thank you so much. Bye-bye.
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 77
Thomas is experiencing many challenges of late, including vision loss. He finds inspiration and hope knowing he's not alone.
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Episode 76
Nikki has lost her vision due to a rare autoimmune disease. While she appreciates positive bits of advice and encouragement, she also stays grounded in the struggles she's facing and knows others do, too. She's feeling the loss.
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Episode 75
When a favorite hobby became more difficult for Dianne due to glaucoma, she learned to tap into something else. It turned out to be the ideal thing.
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Episode 74
Peter's sight slowly but steadily worsened over the course of several years. When he had to give up driving, his self-image took a hit. Working through his emotions has helped him cope and adjust.
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Episode 73
Sherry's vision loss has been gradual yet relentless. Asking for help to do things she used to be able to do on her own is a challenge for her, as it is for many. But she's finding some new tools and new ways to do things.
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Episode 72
Carolyn lost much of her vision after several glaucoma surgeries, leaving her feeling angry and discouraged. But a familiar childhood story inspired her to keep trying, even when tasks seemed impossible.
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Episode 71
Learning he would never see again was heartbreaking for Shannon. Embracing what challenged him, Shannon discovered strength in the unfamiliar.
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Episode 70
The week Jessica was diagnosed with an eye disease that would progressively impair her vision, she also found out she had cancer. A few things have helped her continue to feel strong and less isolated.
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Episode 69
Jack's vision has been declining for years. The hardest part for him is that it just keeps changing, so he needs to keep adapting. A routine Jack's wife put in place for the couple has helped him cope and adjust.
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Episode 68
Losing a fair amount of her vision brought with it a series of other losses for Dia. She began to feel depressed and very fearful. However, she gradually started giving herself pep talks and reconnecting with the things that bring her joy.
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Episode 67
Julia had always lived life on her own terms. So, when vision loss meant giving up her car keys, she used a white cane or her husband's arm to guide her steps, and kept going. Still, she noticed a change in how others treated her… until she made a decision she now calls, "the best thing I ever did."
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Episode 66
When the scenario Leighann had feared for years finally happened and glaucoma took much of her vision, it hit her hard. But her desire to keep living meant challenging herself—even when it scared her.