"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 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.
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Episode 57
Terry's doctor told him, "There's nothing more we can do. You'll never drive again," and he was distraught. Then he recalled his military days as a Marine and sailor, and that got him through.
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Episode 56
When Emma lost her sight in just a few months, she struggled to cope. She felt alone, her insecurities grew, and self-esteem plummeted. With time, she came to a new understanding and that helped her tremendously.
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Episode 55
Dave calls his experience with vision loss a slow torture. In the face of this, however, he has found a sense of inspiration in explorers, history, and an activity you wouldn't typically connect with vision loss, sightseeing.
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Episode 54
When Albert's vision decreased to the point that he could no longer read print anymore, he found it stressful. But he's found a new source of comfort that helps him quite a bit.
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Episode 53
Jayne can feel isolated living with her eye disease, spending much of her days forcing herself to focus on things that have become blurry. The stress can be overwhelming, causing her to shut down. But there's one area of life that now brings her more joy than ever before.
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Episode 52
When Jeffry lost his sight, he felt a loss of control, a loss of dignity. Then, he began his long road to empowerment, one small goal at a time.
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Episode 51
Marilyn went through bouts of anxiety and depression with her vision loss and still grieves the loss several years into her journey. She also decided to do something for herself which has helped tremendously.
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Episode 50
Learning to live with vision loss wasn't always easy for Pam. But with time, her bad days are fewer.