For Cynthia, every story shared helps her on her own journey with vision loss.
Hadley
These stories help tremendously
Cynthia: I have been losing my sight and it gets a little bit worse. But these stories have helped me tremendously.
Marc: This is Hadley’s Insights and Sound Bites, where people facing vision loss share what has helped them cope and adjust.
Cynthia: My name is Cynthia Ceeyu and I live in Phoenix, Arizona, and losing my eyesight has been something that has traveled with me since day one when I was born. And it's my mother had called toxoplasmosis. And then as I got older and I'm 81, the macular degeneration set in, and so I have been losing my sight gradually and it gets a little bit worse all the time.
But my main focus today is I want everyone to know that has called in and left their story, that these stories have helped me tremendously. And I thank Hadley, for having the program and someone has been emailing me these good podcasts and they have helped tremendously to hear each story. There's something that I can pick up, whether it be how to get to a meeting or whether it be how to relate to some of your friends that it's a little bit more hard to be as close to them maybe as you used to be.
But my main focus today is so important to me that Hadley know how much these help people. 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].
When Terry lost more of her vision, it took time to come to terms with what was happening. Talking with others who understand what she's going through has made it easier to open up and find her way forward.
As Patricia's vision changed, doing things on her own became harder, and at times she felt like no one really understood. Connecting with others going through many of the same things helped her feel less alone and more like herself again.
Rebecca was used to handling things on her own, but vision loss brought anger, frustration, and challenges she hadn't expected. Over time, she found a different way forward, making room for the hard days, accepting help, and finding people who understood.
As her vision changed, Martha worried her world might start getting smaller. But a trip reminded her that she didn't have to give up the things she loved. Turns out, asking for a little help can take you a long way.
Vision loss doesn't always happen all at once. For Kara, it keeps changing, which means she's constantly figuring out what she can and can't do. Hear how she's learning to adjust, deal with the frustrations, and take each day as it comes.
For Carolyn, connecting with people has always come naturally. When vision loss made it harder to recognize faces, she worried about missing those everyday connections. Hear how speaking up about her vision helped others understand what she needed.
A close call on a walk changed the way Lance thinks about living with vision loss. It reminded him to stay open, keep learning, and keep moving forward.
For Dottie, losing her vision meant giving up many things, and there was one farewell that hit especially hard. But after making a difficult choice to let go of something she loved, Dottie found a new perspective on what she had lost—and gained.
Linda always imagined retirement would mean doing the volunteer work she loved, but after losing her eyesight, she thought that chapter of her life was over. Then one memorable hospital visit reminded her she still had exactly what people needed.
As Mary's vision worsened, the life she'd always known began slipping out of reach. She wasn't sure where to turn or what might help. But a chance meeting changed things for her in ways she now hopes to pass on.
When Susan began losing vision, she grew fearful about the future. But she found a source of hope and courage.
Early in her journey with vision loss, Char was bitter and angry at the world. But one day, a heartfelt conversation helped her turn a corner and, as she put it, "look at vision loss through different eyes."
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