"I still have value"
Linda always imagined retirement would mean doing the volunteer work she loved, but after losing her eyesight, she thought that chapter of her life was over. Then one memorable hospital visit reminded her she still had exactly what people needed.
Hadley
“I still have value”
Linda: Once I got the diagnosis and started significantly losing my vision, I realized that there's a lot that you need to be able to see with working as a Steven minister at our local hospital. And I knew that I was not going to be able to do that.
Marc: This is Hadley’s Insights and Sound Bites, where people facing vision loss share what has helped them cope and adjust.
Linda: My name is Linda Jenkins and I live in Somerville, South Carolina, which is near Charleston.
I have retinitis pigmentosa that I had inherited from my father side of the family, when I was in my 40s. So, it was late onset for me and I didn’t think I’d had actually inherited it. Fifteen years and now I’m totally blind.
I volunteered even as I was working, as a telephone crisis counselor and I volunteered in mental health. I have a mental health background as well and I just love interacting with people and connecting with people and listening to their stories.
A number of years ago, as I was losing my vision, I shared with some friends that something on my bucket list, when I retired, was going to be working as a Stephen minister at our local hospital, volunteering there.
Once I got the diagnosis and started significantly losing my vision, I thought, oh, I've got to take this off of my bucket list because a lot of connecting with other people and working as pastoral care, I realized that there's a lot that you need to be able to see. See body language and be able to read people. And I knew that I was not going to be able to do that.
However, I had my friends who were pretty persistent and they said, well, why don't you try going through the training and see whether you can qualify because we know that you can do it.
They actually believed in me more than I did myself. So, I went through the training and I passed.
I went and visited my first patient in the hospital, and I introduced myself and I had my white cane with me, and we had a delightful conversation just chatting and touching base and just talking to her and listening to her and her story.
And at the end of the meeting I said, well, I've enjoyed getting to know you. And I would offer you a prayer if you'd like. I don't need to do a prayer, but if you'd like me to, I certainly will.
And she did say to me, she said, oh, I'd like you to do a prayer. And I said, may may I hold your hand? And she said sure. And I kind of reached out a little bit and she said you're going to have to find my hand because I'm totally blind.
In which case I burst out laughing and she says what's going on? I said, I'm totally blind too. So we flailed our hands around for a few seconds and touched base.
Then we started meeting again about blindness and what that meant. We definitely connected authentically. And I realized at that point that I was able to do this. Even though I was blind. And it confirmed her that we could connect with each other and I gave her some resources and it was a win-win situation for us both.
Connecting with this patient confirmed for me the idea that I still have value. And it gave her confidence to know that she could connect with somebody who was blind also. And she even commented to me, if you're able to do this, maybe I can do something.
I found through working as a Stephen minister at the hospital to be so rewarding to me because it gave me purpose in my life. Even though I couldn’t see, I still was a resource for other people. And had things to give to others. And how they could share with me and I could share with them and that is so important to be able to connect with other people and have purpose in our lives.
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 92
As Mary's vision worsened, the life she'd always known began slipping out of reach. She wasn't sure where to turn or what might help. But a chance meeting changed things for her in ways she now hopes to pass on.
-
Episode 91
When Susan began losing vision, she grew fearful about the future. But she found a source of hope and courage.
-
Episode 90
Early in her journey with vision loss, Char was bitter and angry at the world. But one day, a heartfelt conversation helped her turn a corner and, as she put it, "look at vision loss through different eyes."
-
Episode 89
The impact vision loss had on Todd's life was profound. Through cycles of anger and depression, he often took it out on those who cared most about him. Then he started channeling those emotions into a new activity, and that made all the difference for him and his family.
-
Episode 88
When Pat was diagnosed with an inherited retinal disease, her doctor told her she wouldn't go completely blind, but her life would change forever. And while it's been a hard road, she's found some things along the way that help.
-
Episode 87
Debbie has found a place near her that helps unleash her creative streak and her desire to give back to the community, a place where how much she can see doesn't matter.
-
Episode 86
Doug was filled with uncertainty after realizing that the vision he lost was unlikely to be restored. His anxiety grew as the silver bullet he hoped for never materialized. But he did find things that helped him manage and continue to live his life with purpose.
-
Episode 85
When Nancy's vision deteriorated to the point that it was challenging to navigate streets of a neighborhood she walked for decades, it was humbling. But a friend's comment surprised and inspired her. Her perspective started to shift.
-
Episode 84
Macular degeneration was no stranger to Valerie, her mom had the condition. Early into her own diagnosis of AMD, treatments worked well and her vision remained stable. Over time, however, she noticed more significant changes, which became increasingly challenging both emotionally and physically. That's when she began to change her perspective, and that change made all the difference.
-
Episode 83
Scott went to multiple specialists in search of a cure for his eye disease. He would often sit and just think about going blind. But one day a son's random comment took his mind off of everything and reconnected the family.
-
Episode 82
When Elizabeth lost her vision in an auto accident, she went into survival mode. As she began to rebuild her life, she found certain connections and activities helped her focus less on her limitations and more on a renewed sense of purpose.
-
Episode 81
When Eddie lost a fair amount of vision, she was scared and didn’t know how she was going to cope. But she found a source of strength and inspiration.