"I think I can"
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.
Hadley
I think I can
Carolyn: I lost much of my vision. I began to become very puzzled, angry and disillusioned by what had happened.
Marc: This is Hadley’s Insights and Sound Bites, where people facing vision loss share what has helped them cope and adjust.
Carolyn: Hello, my name is Carolyn and I live in the state of Virginia. Over 30 years ago, I was diagnosed with glaucoma and until 2017, my vision was pretty good. However, in 2017, the doctors decided that I needed to have surgery. I had my first intrusive surgery during that year. Then I had two more surgeries in 2019, along with some other procedures.
Things did not go well and I lost much of my vision. At this time, I began to become very puzzled, angry and disillusioned by what had happened. I recently began to think of a children's story entitled, “The Little Engine That Could.” There was a little engine that was given the task to pull a train over a mountain. This train had toys in it that was going to be given to children.
The Little Engine thought he could not perform this task. However, he girded himself up and he began to say to himself, “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.” And the more he became confident of what he could do, he was successful in getting that train over that mountain. Once he got the train over the mountain, he said to himself, “I thought I could, I thought I could.”
I am using this same scenario in my life with my vision. I thought I could not do some task because of the vision loss. However, once I got training and got help with resources such as Hadley, iBook, my local rehabilitation center. And yes, my peers, I began to successfully accomplish some task. I therefore was saying to myself, as the little engine did, “I think I can, I think I can.”
And then once I accomplished those task, I said to myself again, as the little engine said, “I thought I could. I thought I could.” I encourage you to think like that little engine. With the notion of, I think I can, I think I can. And you will achieve those things that you thought you could not. You will be able to get over the mountains that you face, persist, persevere and push.
God bless.
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 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.
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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.
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Episode 80
As Kenneth lost most of his sight to glaucoma, he was feeling increasingly isolated and alone. Then he made a commitment, forcing himself to find ways to stay connected to the rest of the world.
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Episode 79
When Carol Lee was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration, she was angry and frustrated. Over time, resentment began to fade a bit and the shock wore off. Gradually, her perspective started to shift.
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Episode 78
When Cliff unexpectedly lost a fair amount of his sight, he felt overwhelmed. But with time, he found a way forward.
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Episode 77
Thomas is experiencing many challenges of late, including vision loss. He finds inspiration and hope knowing he's not alone.
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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 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.