Debbie has found a place near her that helps unleash her creative streak and her desire to give back to the community, a place where how much she can see doesn't matter.
Hadley
“People are accepting there”
Debbie: It is wonderful going to the senior center. One thing that they do up there is art. With a little bit of sighted assistance, we do different kinds of art.
Marc: This is Hadley’s Insights and Sound Bites, where people facing vision loss share what has helped them cope and adjust.
Debbie: Hi, my name is Debbie Morgan. I'm from Lafayette, Indiana. The story I want to share is kind of an ongoing experience. I have artificial eyes. I started going to the senior center of Tippecanoe, which is here in Lafayette, probably about a year and a half ago.
One thing that they do up there is art. We do different kinds of art, and much of this stuff I had never done before, but with a little bit of sighted assistance. I've painted rocks. I've painted kind of abstracts because I don't see the pictures. I've worked with clay. I've also made the fleece blankets where people will cut the squares around the edges and then you tie them together. And a friend of mine and I are going to do that and make them for the animal shelter here in Lafayette.
It is wonderful going to the senior center. The people are very accepting. The art instructor is a young lady who is very encouraging, very helpful. And loves to try new things and she is very glad to have me in her class, and I appreciate that. And the other people in the class interact with me and we have a great time.
So any of you out there, if you do get the chance, go to a senior center. There are other activities up there to get involved in to. I love it and I’m very thankful for it. 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].
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