"It's the best thing I ever did"
Kendra shares with us how a visit to a low vision center gave her more than she ever expected.
Hadley
It’s the best thing I ever did
Kendra: I saw that my parents went blind and they didn't do anything to help themselves and to get ahead of it. And I'm not that kind of person.
Marc: This is Hadley’s Insights and Sound Bites, where people facing vision loss share what has helped them cope and adjust.
Kendra: My name is Kendra Marcus, and I live in Lafayette, California, which is in the Bay Area of California. And I am working in the publishing industry, and I am still working. And it's very exciting to be able to figure out ways to work around and still continue to work.
First of all, I saw that my parents went blind and they didn't do anything to help themselves and to get ahead of it. They just accepted it. And I'm not that kind of person. And so, I was looking around and I went to a low vision center because somebody said, you can try a low vision center. And there they said they had a support group if I was interested. So, I went to the support group, even though I sort of don't like things like that. I'm not a joiner. I tend to just figure it out by myself. But I thought, I can't do this by myself. So, I went and it was a group of people from 40 to 92 who just came in.
And each time we sort of introduced ourselves, we talked a minute about our eye condition, and then we said, what was bothering us or how did we spend the holidays? How was that for us? What were the problems? And for the holiday one, somebody said, I feel so useless. I can't see anybody who's talking to me. I have to sit in a corner and wait for people to talk to me.
And everybody chimed in, well, have you tried this or have you tried that? And then somebody else would say, I can't read anymore. I don't know what to do. And then somebody would say, have you heard about BARD at the National Library for the Blind? And we just exchanged information at the same time as sort of dealing with some of the harder issues of losing sight. And I would say that that's been the best thing I ever did. And so, in a word, the best thing is to meet another blind person or another person with low vision and find out what they did, because everybody's willing to help. We all are flailing in the beginning because we don't know where to go.
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.