"I've gotten to know myself better"
When Elizabeth lost her vision in an auto accident, she went into survival mode. As she began to rebuild her life, she found certain connections and activities helped her focus less on her limitations and more on a renewed sense of purpose.
Hadley
“I’ve gotten to know myself better”
Elizabeth: I lost my vision immediately in an auto accident and I just went into survival mode. That’s been challenging.
Marc: This is Hadley’s Insights and Sound Bites, where people facing vision loss share what has helped them cope and adjust.
Elizabeth: Hello, my name is Elizabeth. I'm calling from New Haven, Connecticut.
I was told to check out these Sound Bites and I kept putting it off thinking that it would actually make me feel discouraged a little bit, reminding me of my limitations. But I decided while I was exercising to listen to 'em and I couldn't stop. I was so encouraged. Just the fact that there's a community like me.
I lost my vision immediately in an auto accident and I just went into survival mode when I got out of a coma.
But now that things are calming down. I'm trying to find my purpose in life and also establish friendships with people that I can trust. That's been challenging.
As I listen to these sound bites, I'm reminded of some of the challenges, but then some of the blessings. I feel like I, I've gotten to know myself better. I joke often is I feel like the sighted people are the ones without the sight, and my friends often think that I have sight. They keep forgetting I don't.
It's been definitely challenging using a cane. You can't always depend on everyone being available, going in the same direction as you. And then finding that time to be able to pay it forward to others, and I think that's been the biggest reward is making friendships.
I've been learning the technology. I have learned my Apple iPad, iPhone, and then been able to share that same understanding with others just like me. And that has helped me tremendously to be able to give back. And it takes my attention away from all the other things. I'm reminded of my limitations, but I thank you so much for the sound bites. It really is encouraging. It helps just to know that I'm not alone and that there are many others that are developing these tools just like me. Thank you. Have a great day.
Marc: If this story helped you, consider a Giving Tuesday gift to Hadley so someone else can find the same support. Visit hadleyhelps.org/GivingTuesday or call us at 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 69
Jack's vision has been declining for years. The hardest part for him is that it just keeps changing, so he needs to keep adapting. A routine Jack's wife put in place for the couple has helped him cope and adjust.
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Episode 68
Losing a fair amount of her vision brought with it a series of other losses for Dia. She began to feel depressed and very fearful. However, she gradually started giving herself pep talks and reconnecting with the things that bring her joy.
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Episode 67
Julia had always lived life on her own terms. So, when vision loss meant giving up her car keys, she used a white cane or her husband's arm to guide her steps, and kept going. Still, she noticed a change in how others treated her… until she made a decision she now calls, "the best thing I ever did."
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Episode 66
When the scenario Leighann had feared for years finally happened and glaucoma took much of her vision, it hit her hard. But her desire to keep living meant challenging herself—even when it scared her.
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Episode 65
Michael's vision loss led him down a long, uncomfortable road, discovering what he had to let go of and what he could still hold on to for his future. He continues to challenge himself to try new things.
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Episode 64
Tamisue's eyesight has diminished to the point where she feels stuck between two worlds—not enough vision to function as she once did, but not fully blind. She fears her world going completely dark. However, an addition to her life has made a tremendous difference for both her and her family.
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Episode 63
The loss Tom feels regarding his vision is complicated because it is ongoing. Acceptance has not come easy. Through the years, though, he has come to approach life a bit differently.
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Episode 62
Anne's declining vision had her feeling down and sorry for herself. But two gifts—one she gave and one she received—helped turn things around for her.
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Episode 61
Glaucoma advanced to the point where Ron found it too difficult to do the volunteer work he loved in retirement. Still, he found a way to pull himself out of the hole he felt he was in and continue to give back.
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Episode 60
Diabetic retinopathy has taken more and more of Charles's vision. To cope, he is learning new approaches to life AND leaning into areas of passion that don't rely on sight.
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Episode 59
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.
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Episode 58
Marie grieved the loss of her vision, and still does. Yet, on a sunny August morning, she came to a realization that made all the difference in the world.