"Things turned around for me"
Darryl shares with us how a referral to a low vision specialist was where his life with vision loss began to turn around.
Hadley
Things turned around for me
Darryl: The doctors weren't particularly encouraging about the dry macular degeneration. They weren't encouraging that there was any solution to that and they'd say, "Well, I don't think there will be a cure in your lifetime.”
Marc: This is Hadley’s Insights and Sound Bites, where people facing vision loss share what has helped them cope and adjust.
Darryl: My name’s Darryl Pratt and I live in Arlington Heights, Illinois. In my case I'm legally blind, but that doesn't mean I'm totally blind. The way I put it is I can see, but I just don't see very good. I can't see things at a distance. I can't see things close up to write.
The doctors weren't particularly encouraging about the dry macular degeneration. They weren't encouraging that there was any solution to that and they'd say, "Well, I don't think there will be a cure in your lifetime," which didn't really get you really excited and want to be what you wanted to hear.
It's sort of at that point where I decided, and then I was lucky I got referred to a low vision specialist, and that's where I think things turned around for me, that I kind of felt like, "Okay, now this is going to help me," because what I'm looking for, is I'm looking for things and ways that can help me see better with the vision I have, and that's sort of my goal.
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 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.
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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.