"I get out there and I still do what I can"
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.
Hadley
I get out there and I still do what I can
Terry: I cried my eyes out when the doctor told me, "Hey, there's nothing more that we're going to be able to do for you. And I learned that if you don't do something, you don't adjust.
Marc: This is Hadley’s Insights and Sound Bites podcast, where people facing vision loss share what has helped them cope and adjust.
Terry: Hi this is Terry Miller, and I live in Englewood, Florida.
What's going on for quite a while over the years, had macular degeneration, but it wasn't real bad. And my doctor, optometrist said, "Hey, you'll be able to see a little better if we get your cataracts removed," so I did.
While I was there, the doctor, unbeknownst to him, had messed up my left eye, and he said, "Oh, it'll be all right in a couple of days, and we'll go ahead and do the right eye." And then when my left eye came around, it was messed up and this was all at a VA hospital and they've been taking care of me ever since.
So this way, if I need most anything, because I'm a hundred percent disabled, they get me my equipment that I need to see. So that was the beginning of it. And I had sat down and cried because I just got married three months before.
I was going to take care of my wife because found out she had macular and it was going fast and now she can barely see to go anywhere. We're two blind couples living together.
And I cried my eyes out when the doctor told me, "Hey, there's nothing more that we're going to be able to do for you. You're going to be blind this way and you'll never drive again."
Then pulling back on my good old military days, I was a Marine and also a sailor. I learned that if you don't do something, you don't adjust. If you do something, you're going to live on. You're going to do things. You're going to be able to go places. All you have to do is do it. That attitude has pretty much got me through most of my life, and now this. I'm 77 years old now. I'm not a young man any more. I get out there and I still do what I can.
I like metal detecting. When friends take me to the beach, I have metal detectors. I go to the beach every chance I get.
The metal detector it makes a sound when it comes across metals and it'll make a grunting sound when it's iron or rusted material that's in the water. I've learned to use my ears to find things. I've had to learn that.
And so, having something to do and places to go keep me looking forward and not to look back and worry about what was or anything. But look for something that's going to happen, going to be that I make to keep me happy, to keep my wife happy. Oh, and to keep my dog happy.
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 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 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.
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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.