"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 53
Jayne can feel isolated living with her eye disease, spending much of her days forcing herself to focus on things that have become blurry. The stress can be overwhelming, causing her to shut down. But there's one area of life that now brings her more joy than ever before.
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Episode 52
When Jeffry lost his sight, he felt a loss of control, a loss of dignity. Then, he began his long road to empowerment, one small goal at a time.
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Episode 51
Marilyn went through bouts of anxiety and depression with her vision loss and still grieves the loss several years into her journey. She also decided to do something for herself which has helped tremendously.
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Episode 50
Learning to live with vision loss wasn't always easy for Pam. But with time, her bad days are fewer.
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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.