"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 48
When Carmel heard a Hadley podcast, it helped her understand what had been happening to her along with her vision loss—something she had nicknamed her "phantom vision."
Carmel mentions an episode of our sister podcast, Hadley Presents. Here's a link to that episode on Vision Loss and Charles Bonnet Syndrome.
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Episode 47
It was tough for Linda to give up driving and she was heartbroken when reading became difficult. She felt her world was shrinking. But then she asked for help.
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Episode 46
Ashia felt all alone in her vision loss. No one around her knew what she was going through. Then she found something that gave her hope.
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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.