"That really sustained me"
Stacy shares with us how being honest about her vision loss with her friends and coworkers has made all the difference in the world.
Hadley
That Really Sustained Me
Presented by Douglas Walker
Douglas: Hello, and welcome to the Insights and Sound Bites podcast, where people facing vision loss share insights about what has helped them cope and adjust.
Stacy: I thought two years ago I was just going to have to quit, and her words resonate with me all the time.
Douglas: My name is Douglas Walker. You know, it’s not always easy to be open about your vision loss. Or, to ask for help when you really need it. Today, we’ll hear from Stacy. Stacy will share with us how being honest with others about her vision loss has made all the difference in the world.
Stacy: Hi, my name is Stacy and I'm from Denver, Colorado. I have Stargardt's disease, so my vision loss has been gradual. I still work in a retail warehouse. One reason I can manage that is because it's my home. I've been there for 15 years.
I have increasing problems with recognizing people, and unfortunately, I work with numbers and they're random. I can still read. It's harder and harder all the time, but I've been able to make it because I work with a group of people who are aware of what's going on, and they come in and help me.
The things that help me is of the people I work with, one. Two, a very good friend of mine who loves me very much and we've worked together, she told me that what I had to contribute was intangible, that I developed young leaders, that my feedback was invaluable because I'm a very honest person, and that really sustained me. I thought two years ago I was just going to have to quit, and her words resonate with me all the time.
Douglas: Was there something that someone said to you or something that happened along the way that made all the difference in the world in helping you adjust to living with vision loss?
We‘d love to hear from you 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]. Again, my name is Douglas Walker. Take care and I’ll see you next time.
All Episodes
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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.
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Episode 49
Jennifer didn't know what to do or who to go to for help as her vision was fading. Then, by chance, she found some help. She found some direction.
The book referenced in this episode is "Macular Degeneration: The Complete Guide to Saving and Maximizing Your Sight"
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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.