"I found the support I needed"
Listen in as Zenobia shares how she found the support and strength she needed.
Hadley
I found the support I needed
Zenobia: When my eyesight began to dim, it was the ultimate insult. I would lose more and more independence, and I didn't know where to turn.
Marc: This is Hadley’s Insights and Sound Bites, where people facing vision loss share what has helped them cope and adjust.
Zenobia Carson: My name is Zenobia Carson. I live in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. I'm originally from Chicago, Illinois. Born and raised.
I'm 75 years old, and I've been a social worker, a writer and author. I'm an avid reader and when my eyesight began to dim a couple of years ago and I was also let go from a job, I felt that it was the ultimate insult. I would lose more and more independence, and I didn't know where to turn.
I didn't want to be a burden on anyone that my children and I didn't take offers here in Minnesota to find help.
And I believe that along with Hadley and the encouragement that I've received from friends who finally figured out the truth that I was not seeing as well as I used to. I became more comfortable with sharing my day to day, I guess you would call it my day to day distress sometimes, or my day to day happiness. It's not all stress. I have very low vision and going from being a visual person or a seeing person to being able to not see much at all is a great leap for anyone, especially for me.
I participate in the Writers groups and it just gives me a sense of well-being to know that I'm not alone. I've not been thrown away. I'm not being ignored. And I am still very, very capable of doing many things.
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 80
As Kenneth lost most of his sight to glaucoma, he was feeling increasingly isolated and alone. Then he made a commitment, forcing himself to find ways to stay connected to the rest of the world.
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Episode 79
When Carol Lee was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration, she was angry and frustrated. Over time, resentment began to fade a bit and the shock wore off. Gradually, her perspective started to shift.
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Episode 78
When Cliff unexpectedly lost a fair amount of his sight, he felt overwhelmed. But with time, he found a way forward.
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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.