"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 65
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.
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Episode 64
Tamisue's eyesight has diminished to the point where she feels stuck between two worlds—not enough vision to function as she once did, but not fully blind. She fears her world going completely dark. However, an addition to her life has made a tremendous difference for both her and her family.
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Episode 63
The loss Tom feels regarding his vision is complicated because it is ongoing. Acceptance has not come easy. Through the years, though, he has come to approach life a bit differently.
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Episode 62
Anne's declining vision had her feeling down and sorry for herself. But two gifts—one she gave and one she received—helped turn things around for her.
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Episode 61
Glaucoma advanced to the point where Ron found it too difficult to do the volunteer work he loved in retirement. Still, he found a way to pull himself out of the hole he felt he was in and continue to give back.
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Episode 60
Diabetic retinopathy has taken more and more of Charles's vision. To cope, he is learning new approaches to life AND leaning into areas of passion that don't rely on sight.
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Episode 59
Bruce's vision had been decreasing for years. When it reached the point where he was tripping over objects and bumping into people, he felt embarrassed and kept his vision loss a secret. His wife convinced him to try something new.
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Episode 58
Marie grieved the loss of her vision, and still does. Yet, on a sunny August morning, she came to a realization that made all the difference in the world.
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Episode 57
Terry's doctor told him, "There's nothing more we can do. You'll never drive again," and he was distraught. Then he recalled his military days as a Marine and sailor, and that got him through.
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Episode 56
When Emma lost her sight in just a few months, she struggled to cope. She felt alone, her insecurities grew, and self-esteem plummeted. With time, she came to a new understanding and that helped her tremendously.
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Episode 55
Dave calls his experience with vision loss a slow torture. In the face of this, however, he has found a sense of inspiration in explorers, history, and an activity you wouldn't typically connect with vision loss, sightseeing.
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Episode 54
When Albert's vision decreased to the point that he could no longer read print anymore, he found it stressful. But he's found a new source of comfort that helps him quite a bit.