"Paying it forward"
Judy has lived with progressive vision loss for many years. She's found a way that helps her cope and adjust.
Hadley
“Paying it forward”
Judy: With the eye disease I have where my vision stays stable for a while and then I lose some more, and then it stays stable, and I lose some more. So, it's been a constant adjustment.
Marc: This is Hadley’s Insights and Sound Bites, where people facing vision loss share what has helped them cope and adjust.
Hi, this is Judy Davis, and I live in Western North Carolina. With the eye disease I have where my vision stays stable for a while and then I lose some more, and then it stays stable, and I lose some more. So, it's been a constant adjustment. And I think one of the most important things for me in learning to cope with my vision loss is just finding others with vision loss to me is so very important. And also, that goes into me turning around and paying it forward to helping others with vision loss, and finding ways to help people who are struggling to say, you can get through this. It's just so important to share the message that there's ways to get through it. Even sharing those bad times with each other is just as important as sharing resources that can help.
With the Hadley program, the Peer-to-Peer program, it just, it brings me joy to help somebody else. Paying it forward is just such a good feeling for 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 48
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.
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Episode 47
It was tough for Linda to give up driving and she was heartbroken when reading became difficult. She felt her world was shrinking. But then she asked for help.
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Episode 46
Ashia felt all alone in her vision loss. No one around her knew what she was going through. Then she found something that gave her hope.
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Episode 45
Dennis found that many aspects of life with vision loss can be a struggle. Then he found something that turned that around.
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Episode 43
For years Bill hid his vision loss from others. He was self-conscious about it. Then, he decided to open up.
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Episode 42
For Cynthia, every story shared helps her on her own journey with vision loss.
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Episode 41
Living with low vision meant Karen was constantly explaining to others what she can and can't see. Then she found a tool that has made a big difference.
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Episode 40
Having to give up the car keys was traumatic for Eugenia. She worried about becoming isolated until she found a new way.
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Episode 39
This week, hear how rediscovering a favorite activity helped Celia find balance as she adjusts to vision loss.
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Episode 38
Denise can struggle with the slow but continuous loss of vision she's facing. But she's found a way to pick herself up on a bad day.
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Episode 37
Listen in as Vanessa shares what has helped keep her from feeling hopeless and defeated due to vision loss.
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Episode 36
Stacy shares with us how being honest about her vision loss with her friends and coworkers has made all the difference in the world.