"It's not just happening to me"
As Patricia's vision changed, doing things on her own became harder, and at times she felt like no one really understood. Connecting with others going through many of the same things helped her feel less alone and more like herself again.
Hadley
“It’s not just happening to me”
Patricia: I couldn't recognize people's faces. That had always been a problem. Sometimes it feels like I'm the only one. I'm in this world all by myself.
Marc: This is Hadley’s Insights and Sound Bites, where people facing vision loss share what has helped them cope and adjust.
Patricia: I'm Patricia Gunter. I'm in Valencia, California. I have retinitis pigmentosa, newly diagnosed with cataracts. They've gotten very thick and out of control, so I'm looking at cataract surgery.
I was told as a child growing up, from 12 on up, that I was nearsighted. That's all I ever knew. I didn't know anything about being legally blind until I became an adult. And so here now I'm looking at cataract surgery and hoping for the best.
I couldn't recognize people's faces. That had always been a problem. Even my children, my responses, just their voices is what I would listen for, but I didn't know I couldn't see. Recently, I made a move back in November, and before I moved, I noticed someone knocked on my door, I opened the door, and I didn't see anyone. And I didn't think I had lost my vision at that time, but I think it was happening then. And just even now, I just have issues even visually seeing things in front of me.
It's really scary. And it's like I'm in a tunnel. I feel like I'm closed in like claustrophobic and I'm afraid to be alone in public, to travel, because I was independently traveling on buses and dollar ride, things like that.
Sometimes it feels like I'm the only one. I'm in this world all by myself.
I think by calling Hadley being in a group with other people that are dealing with the same issues with the vision loss, just being around other people with like conditions helped me to get through my situation because hearing other people's stories, I know, "Oh, I'm not the only one." It's not just happening to me.
And know that I'm still a person in spite of my blindness and that I still have a life to live and just hearing other people's stories and how they're adjusting to the blindness and it's like, "Okay, come on now, it's okay. You still alive, you still can meet people that I can smile, I can sing, I can dance, I can do ... " Those things, I don't have to feel sad and alone anymore. I just feel very glad that I found out about the groups.
Just knowing that people care about you in spite of your blindness, that you're still a person, I heard that in the group and they have people that I talk to on the phone and they make me feel like I'm a person, that they need me, like I need them.
It just helped me.
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 99
Rebecca was used to handling things on her own, but vision loss brought anger, frustration, and challenges she hadn't expected. Over time, she found a different way forward, making room for the hard days, accepting help, and finding people who understood.
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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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