"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
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.
Marc: This is Hadley’s Insights and Sound Bites, where people facing vision loss share 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.
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
-
Episode 18
Sheri shares with us how the love for her horses helped her find purpose and peace.
-
Episode 17
Kendra shares with us how a visit to a low vision center gave her more than she ever expected.
-
Episode 16
Listen to Carol's story as she shares how owning her changing vision gave her the drive to discover useful resources and realize that it's important—and okay—to ask for help when she needs it.
-
Episode 15
Listen in as Chuck shares how he found hope in a chance encounter.
-
Episode 14
Listen in as Kara shares how she found new ways to express herself in her love of visual art, and redefining a meaningful life.
-
Episode 13
Listen in as Leah shares how it finally clicked for her—the realization that she's not alone.
-
Episode 12
Hear how Axel set one goal at a time and slowly took the steps to rebuild his skills, reengage in his art, and reestablish his emotional well being.
-
Episode 11
Gregory shares how finding a mentor made all the difference in the world to him, and his entire family.
-
Episode 10
Listen in as we hear from Sarah. For her, hearing a blind architect's story changed her perspective on what was possible.
-
Episode 9
Listen in as Tom shares how leaning on his faith helps him adjust to vision loss.
-
Episode 8
Pat shares with us the choices she made when faced with a visual impairment.
-
Episode 7
Darryl shares with us how a referral to a low vision specialist was where his life with vision loss began to turn around.