"I keep trying"
Listen in as Eugenia describes how her own determination and the support of friends helped her keep moving forward.
Hadley
I keep trying
Eugenia: The worst part for me with my sight, my sight will never be back. It's my Irish roots, I’m stubborn.
Marc: This is Hadley’s Insights and Sound Bites, where people facing vision loss share what has helped them cope and adjust.
Eugenia DeReu: Hi, my name is Eugenia DeReu. I am from the Buffalo, New York area. I'm 62. Back in January 2021, I stayed in the emergency room. They found a brain tumor the size of a baseball. That was between my skull and my brain. It was pushing my brain back. Through that, I lost a lot of time. I had to learn how to walk again once they took it out.
You know, I went from a wheelchair to a walker to finally walking. I'm still wobbly, but I'm doing better. I lost my sense of smell and I'm still recuperating. My brain is still recuperating two years later. And the worst part for me with my sight, my sight will never be back. I also had radiation, that radiation, that kind of damage, some that I guess it's scary.
But it's my Irish roots, I’m stubborn. And I found friends that I had for a long time that came back even though I was not functioning and they weren't there, they supported me. I found new friends. You know, my family's had a tough time, so we're still working on that one. But these friends have lifted me up and reminded me who I am.
And I've made myself joined the senior center because they have activities. I've made, I lost my independence because of my sight. I can't drive, but I've learned to love Audible.
And if you just embrace everything they say, it's the hardest thing to do is to embrace a new life, especially at 62 or 60. When it started. You know, it's but you could do it. And I still try. And every single day I get up and I think about what I need to do. And I don't always succeed, but I keep trying.
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 45
Dennis found that many aspects of life with vision loss can be a struggle. Then he found something that turned that around.
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Episode 44
Judy has lived with progressive vision loss for many years. She's found a way that helps her cope and adjust.
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Episode 43
For years Bill hid his vision loss from others. He was self-conscious about it. Then, he decided to open up.
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Episode 42
For Cynthia, every story shared helps her on her own journey with vision loss.
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Episode 41
Living with low vision meant Karen was constantly explaining to others what she can and can't see. Then she found a tool that has made a big difference.
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Episode 40
Having to give up the car keys was traumatic for Eugenia. She worried about becoming isolated until she found a new way.
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Episode 39
This week, hear how rediscovering a favorite activity helped Celia find balance as she adjusts to vision loss.
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Episode 38
Denise can struggle with the slow but continuous loss of vision she's facing. But she's found a way to pick herself up on a bad day.
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Episode 37
Listen in as Vanessa shares what has helped keep her from feeling hopeless and defeated due to vision loss.
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Episode 36
Stacy shares with us how being honest about her vision loss with her friends and coworkers has made all the difference in the world.
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Episode 35
For many, having to give up the car keys due to vision loss is traumatic. Deb felt it too. Then, during a call to arrange transportation for herself, a new door opened.
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Episode 34
Listen in as Anne describes how a question posed to her shifted her perspective for living with vision loss.