"I was given a ticket to travel without embarrassment"
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.
Hadley
I was given a ticket to travel without embarrassment
Bruce: As I walked around my hometown, I found myself more and more embarrassed, apologetic to people. People just didn't understand about my problem because I was keeping it a secret.
Marc: This is Hadley’s Insights and Sound Bites, where people facing vision loss share what has helped them cope and adjust.
Bruce Wyland: Hello, my name is Bruce Wyland and I live on Bainbridge Island, which is an island off of downtown Seattle. I have retinitis pigmentosa and I've watched my vision get narrower and narrower from the outside coming in.
And I've adjusted to it along the way, giving up various things sports, driving, etc. but it wasn't until I hit my 60s that my vision deterioration finally reached the center of my vision, and my tunnel vision became so narrow that I was, literally tripping over things, bumping into dogs and children, open doorways. And as I walked around my home town, I found myself more and more embarrassed, apologetic to people. People just didn't understand about my problem because I was keeping it a secret.
So the one thing I want to recommend to people is when you're ready, get cane training and embrace the use of a cane. I have to say, I hesitated and resisted for a long, long time until my wife finally convinced me that I had to use the cane when I walked about, both for safety and for maximizing social interactions.
And when I started using the cane, first of all, I stopped tripping over things and running into things. And second of all, it was a way to gently announce to people that I had a visual problem and suddenly people who were confused or angry were helpful. Rather than feeling embarrassed, as I was afraid I might, I felt like I had suddenly been given a ticket to travel around without embarrassment, without mishaps both safer and happier.
And the final thing I will say is I was a little afraid of the cane as a negative symbol. And I was worried that people might ridicule me or be less than supportive. And I will tell you, in the two years I've been using the cane, I have not had a single negative interaction with another person.
People are kind. They're understanding. They are welcoming, and it's been a real plus for me. So, that's my suggestion when the time is right. Embrace the cane. Thanks for listening. Bye bye.
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 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.
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Episode 33
This week, William shares how learning to continue with his favorite hobby, even with vision loss, has been therapeutic—and uplifting. Here's the link to his website https://www.blindtruths.org/
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Episode 32
This week Angela shares how she struggled to get around due to vision loss, how she tried to hide it from others, and what helped her.
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Episode 31
This week we hear from Appreciate. She found that a Facebook group, The International Blind Cafe, gave her a source of comfort and encouragement.