"Makes me feel less isolated"
The week Jessica was diagnosed with an eye disease that would progressively impair her vision, she also found out she had cancer. A few things have helped her continue to feel strong and less isolated.
Hadley
Makes me feel less isolated
Jessica: Just hearing the experiences of other people, it makes me feel less isolated and that these experiences are not just mine, but they are pretty universal to the low vision community.
Marc: This is Hadley’s Insights and Sound Bites, where people facing vision loss share what has helped them cope and adjust.
Jessica: Hey, my name is Jessica Simmel and I am from New York, New York. I was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa in December of 2016. The same week I found out that I had breast cancer. And now, eight years later, sitting at my window birding and listening to some of these podcasts and realized that maybe I did have something to share.
Because listening to these stories, these sound bites are so validating. I have about eight degrees of vision left, probably a little less by now. And, it's hard. As you all know, and something that has brought me comfort this year, that has allowed me to really keep going is adaptive sports.
I'm 51 years old. I had stopped doing anything athletic due to arthritis in my wrists, my knees, my hip. And then I learned about an adaptive climbing group that was about 45 minutes away from where I live. And when I was sighted, I absolutely loved climbing, but I hadn't done it, probably since 16 years ago.
And it's been six months that I have been doing adaptive rock climbing, and I can say that it's truly changed my life. It just made me feel strong in my own body. And I hadn't felt that in a really, really long time.
The other thing that has helped me is listening to stories from other people. Just hearing the experiences of other people, it makes me feel less isolated and that these experiences are not just mine, but they are pretty universal to the low vision community.
So I hope this help and thank you all for helping me with your stories. Thank you.
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 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.