"I found my community"
This week we hear from Appreciate. She found that a Facebook group, The International Blind Cafe, gave her a source of comfort and encouragement.
Hadley
I Found My Community
Presented by Douglas Walker
Douglas: Hello, and welcome to the Insights and Sound Bites podcast, where people facing vision loss share insights about what has helped them cope and adjust.
Appreciate Wellspring: You're not the only person that's struggling.
Douglas: My name is Douglas Walker. It takes a lot of courage to seek out the help you need. Especially when you’re feeling really isolated. Today, we’ll hear from Appreciate. She will share with us how joining a Facebook group took her life to a whole new level.
Appreciate Wellspring: I am Appreciate Wellspring. I'm originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota. And I've just recently moved, I'm in Tennessee right now. I lost my vision in 2019. I had a migraine and the inflammation from the migraine closed the circulation or the blood flow in my brain. So, I've lost verbal use, I lost use of my left side, and of course, then my vision as well.
There's a group of friends on Facebook, it's called the International Blind Cafe, and this is a group of people that we all are in different stages of the spectrum of blindness.
But this group has been instrumental as well to healing and knowing that you're not the only person that's struggling with not wanting to be seen when you're eating, or the feeling when you use your white cane.
It's so eye opening to finally feel a part of a group, a community. Because at the very beginning when you're going through this alone.
And it's great to have this community of people that they're in my background and they're cheering me on, go, go, go.
Douglas: Was there something that someone said to you or something that happened along the way that made all the difference in the world in helping you adjust to living with vision loss?
We‘d love to hear from you 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]. Again, my name is Douglas Walker. Take care and I’ll see you next time.
All Episodes
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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.
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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.