"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 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.
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Episode 68
Losing a fair amount of her vision brought with it a series of other losses for Dia. She began to feel depressed and very fearful. However, she gradually started giving herself pep talks and reconnecting with the things that bring her joy.
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Episode 67
Julia had always lived life on her own terms. So, when vision loss meant giving up her car keys, she used a white cane or her husband's arm to guide her steps, and kept going. Still, she noticed a change in how others treated her… until she made a decision she now calls, "the best thing I ever did."
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Episode 66
When the scenario Leighann had feared for years finally happened and glaucoma took much of her vision, it hit her hard. But her desire to keep living meant challenging herself—even when it scared her.
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Episode 65
Michael's vision loss led him down a long, uncomfortable road, discovering what he had to let go of and what he could still hold on to for his future. He continues to challenge himself to try new things.
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