"My phantom vision"
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.
Hadley
My phantom vision
Presented by Douglas Walker
Carmel: I was losing slowly my vision. I thought perhaps my brain was just doing what their non-existent limb seemed to be doing.
Marc: This is Hadley’s Insights and Sound Bites, where people facing vision loss share what has helped them cope and adjust.
Carmel: My name is Carmel Anderson from Chicago, Illinois. It's early morning in Chicago, and I just listened to one of the podcast about Charles Bonnet syndrome.
I have lived at supported living places I lived with multiple disabled people, a couple of whom had or were all amputees. I had heard the stories of many amputees who would at times at the 20 years of not having a limb reach down to scratch, a thought that hadn't been there for 20 years.
I never had Charles Bonnet Syndrome at any time or noticed it intermingled within the vision that I had until I got and was diagnosed on the level of severe glaucoma.
I asked myself, is that what's happening to me? And my theory was because I was losing slowly my vision, and it will one day be completely gone. I thought perhaps my brain was just doing what their non-existent limb seemed to be doing.
I called it phantom vision. And this this is the first time I've ever known that it had a proper name, that it was a legitimate syndrome and a condition amongst visually impaired people.
But it seemed to me to make so much sense, and I would never have made that connection if I hadn't had the joy of seeing the courage of multiple disabled young adults. Thank you for letting me hear what I know as Charles Bonnet Syndrome, but which I will always fondly identify as my phantom vision.
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 35
For many, having to give up the car keys due to vision loss is traumatic. Deb felt it too. Then, during a call to arrange transportation for herself, a new door opened.
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Episode 34
Listen in as Anne describes how a question posed to her shifted her perspective for living with vision loss.
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Episode 33
This week, William shares how learning to continue with his favorite hobby, even with vision loss, has been therapeutic—and uplifting. Here's the link to his website https://www.blindtruths.org/
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Episode 32
This week Angela shares how she struggled to get around due to vision loss, how she tried to hide it from others, and what helped her.
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Episode 31
This week we hear from Appreciate. She found that a Facebook group, The International Blind Cafe, gave her a source of comfort and encouragement.
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Episode 30
Marian's inner voice had her living in fear. Listen in as she shares how she redirected that voice to be more helpful for her.
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Episode 29
This week Dorrie shares how technology has made all the difference for her in living with vision loss.
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Episode 28
Today we hear from Ed who shares how the source of hope for him has changed with time.
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Episode 27
Listen in as Cindy shares how advice from her son helped her adjust to her new normal.
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Episode 26
Listen in as Tim recalls a conversation with a store clerk and how it helped him adjust to life with vision loss.
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Episode 25
Listen in as Alice shares a boyfriend's advice from many years ago. Words that give her hope, even today.
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Episode 24
Listen in as Bill shares how a chance encounter changed his perspective on vision loss.