"It's humbling, but I'm willing to try."
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.
Hadley
“It’s humbling, but I’m willing to try”
Nancy: These are streets that I've walked for over 30 years, and now I can't find my way around. And then I come home a little shaken, like, oh my goodness, my confidence is all down.
Marc: This is Hadley’s Insights and Sound Bites, where people facing vision loss share what has helped them cope and adjust.
Nancy: My name is Nancy Kranjac. I live in New Jersey and I'm currently 60 years old, but I was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa. It was hard news. It was hard news. I had lost a lot of vision already. There are so many challenges because I get lost sometimes and I get frustrated. And I said, wait a minute, how do I actually get out of this situation?
And it's humbling. These are streets that I've walked for over 30 years, and I walked them fairly, and now I can't find my way around or see where my driveway is, and I have to struggle to find my driveway or my doorstep. And then I come home a little shaken, like, oh my goodness, my confidence is all down.
And I came inside one day and my friend called me. She said, you know, you are so brave. You're so courageous. I said, really? Why? Why would you say that? She said, you are brave and courageous just to step foot outside and do this. I said, you know, you're right, I am brave, I am courageous, I should be out there proud of myself in the sense that I am willing to put myself out there and try something really hard, when it's so easy to just crumple up and not do anything about it.
So it changed my perspective in the sense that at first I was crumbling and I found the challenge to be overwhelming. And now I'm willing to try. And if I fail, I think about it and like, well, this is not for the light of heart.
It's really hard to do. If I can't do it first turn around, we'll figure it out. I'll figure it out. Somehow, I'll get home. And when I do, I feel brave, I feel courageous, and now it's just changing my perspective on how to attempt the same things. It's giving me motivation.
Marc: Insights and Sounds Bites is brought to you by listeners like you. Who believe no one should have to face vision loss alone. Consider making a year-end gift to support this show and all of Hadley’s free resources. Visit HadleyHelps.org/Give or call 1-800-323-4238.
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 98
As her vision changed, Martha worried her world might start getting smaller. But a trip reminded her that she didn't have to give up the things she loved. Turns out, asking for a little help can take you a long way.
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Episode 97
Vision loss doesn't always happen all at once. For Kara, it keeps changing, which means she's constantly figuring out what she can and can't do. Hear how she's learning to adjust, deal with the frustrations, and take each day as it comes.
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Episode 96
For Carolyn, connecting with people has always come naturally. When vision loss made it harder to recognize faces, she worried about missing those everyday connections. Hear how speaking up about her vision helped others understand what she needed.
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Episode 95
A close call on a walk changed the way Lance thinks about living with vision loss. It reminded him to stay open, keep learning, and keep moving forward.
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Episode 94
For Dottie, losing her vision meant giving up many things, and there was one farewell that hit especially hard. But after making a difficult choice to let go of something she loved, Dottie found a new perspective on what she had lost—and gained.
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Episode 93
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.
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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.
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Episode 91
When Susan began losing vision, she grew fearful about the future. But she found a source of hope and courage.
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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."
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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.
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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.
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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.