"I found some direction"
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"
Hadley
I found some direction
Presented by Douglas Walker
Jennifer: When things were getting a little rough, and I didn't really know what to do, I had some friends living around here who had that macular degeneration. But when I talked to them, they would just talk about the magnifying glasses they had. I didn't know what to do, and who to go to help out.
Douglas: Hello, and welcome to Hadley’s Insights and Sound Bites podcast, where people facing vision loss share insights about what has helped them cope and adjust.
Jennifer: My name is Jennifer Love, and I live in Rockford Illinois. The doctors had been watching me prior to my even knowing it, they had been watching my eyes and seeing that I was developing macular degeneration. And I was, of course, watched to look at the grid. But actually, they discovered that I needed intervention before I even knew I had a problem.
Within two years ago, the doctor was going to start giving me a shot, at least in the right eye for to begin with. And I wasn't really having any vision problems except seeing my TV across the room was a little distant, and was thinking of how to manage that. Well, since then, I have brought it to me, it's only about four or five feet from me, which now is very comfortable for watching TV.
Anyway, a year ago I was having quite a lot of problems with the left eye that hadn't been getting the shot. And I didn't understand what was happening, and mentioned it to the nurse technician when I went to them. Said I felt like things were darker, and the vision problems. She said, "Well, then we'll scan it as well and see what happens."
Well, it came about that that particular eye also needed the shot.
It was distressing to me to think that my vision was deteriorating at a quicker rate. I had been told it would be either slow or quick. Well, it was slow to begin with, but this was now becoming a little more rapid. And that was a big concern to me.
When things were getting a little rough, and I didn't really know what to do, I had some friends living around here who had that macular degeneration. But when I talked to them, they would just talk about the magnifying glasses they had. I didn't know what to do, and who to go to help out.
I am a nurse by profession. I'm always looking for a way to do it another way.
I live in a Christian retirement center, and I do accompany some of the residents to their doctor appointments. And one day it was to help a lady in her visit to a mammogram. It was in this particular waiting room that I saw a book called Macular Degeneration, The Complete Guide to Saving and Maximizing Your Sight.
And I quickly picked it up, looked at it. And I said, "I've got to get this."
So, long story short, I did send for it. I have it in my possession, and I have found this to be extremely helpful. Giving me the idea of what to do, who to contact. And it was through them, this book, that I contacted the Hadley people yourselves, and also contacted a sight and hearing center here in Rockford. And that has been a tremendous help to me, so that I was given some direction.
And the directions being is, one thing is to let people know that you have a problem so that they can help you. And not just to keep it a secret, which is very helpful to me. And the folks, people are being very good. There is help. And I’m thankful for that.
Douglas: 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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Episode 50
Learning to live with vision loss wasn't always easy for Pam. But with time, her bad days are fewer.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.