"I have my bad days and my better days"
Learning to live with vision loss wasn't always easy for Pam. But with time, her bad days are fewer.
Hadley
I have my bad days as well as my better days
Presented by Douglas Walker
Pam: The first couple of years were really rough. I was alone much of the time and very trapped, so it was very difficult for me to accept the limitations I had.
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.
Pam: Hi, I'm Pam Harris. Morton, Tennessee. I have been legally blind now for just over four years due to advanced myopic macular degeneration and macular hole and I used to have the bleeds and get the injections. But as my vision has declined, I have learned to accept where I am. But it has been a gradual process, and I wouldn't say it was like a sudden “aha” moment.
Instead, the first couple of years were really rough. My husband was still working. I was alone much of the time and very trapped. And I'm a very healthy, sociable person, so it was very difficult for me to accept the limitations I had. But after a couple of years and some research and learning how to do old things and new ways, and thanks to many friends who would drive me places, I am in a much better place now.
I have learned how to use assistive technology. I have learned to use my smart devices. I have learned to develop new hobbies. I'm even sketching again. Now, the thing is, I can't sketch as well as I used to, even using my assistive technology. But it's still a diversion for me and I enjoy doing that.
All of this technology that's available today has made a huge difference. So, I'm not going to say that I'm always okay with it. I have my bad days as well as my better days, but that is what I wanted to share.
It's okay if you have the bad days. And I fully believe because it's been for me, as time goes on, those bad days are farther and farther apart.
Douglas: Is there an insight you’d like to share? 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].
All Episodes
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Episode 60
Diabetic retinopathy has taken more and more of Charles' vision. To cope, he is learning new approaches to life AND leaning into areas of passion that don't rely on sight.
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Episode 59
Bruce's vision had been decreasing for years. When it reached the point where he was tripping over objects and bumping into people, he felt embarrassed and kept his vision loss a secret. His wife convinced him to try something new.
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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 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.
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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 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.