"You can't do this alone"
Sharon shares with us how she worked through the isolation and found people just like her to get the support she needed.
Insights and Sound Bites
You can’t do this alone
Sharon: One day I'll wake up and maybe I won't see as well. You know, every day was a different journey. It was a journey. Unless you’re with people who are experiencing the same thing, it's a very lonely thing.
Marc: This is Hadley’s Insights and Sound Bites, where people facing vision loss share what has helped them cope and adjust.
Sharon: When you first get that diagnosis and have no symptoms, you don't really understand what the possibilities are. I'm relying on a doctor to tell me the possibilities or to direct me in a direction of what could this journey look like. And I never found that.
There's a linear process and I most likely will lose more vision along the way. And one day I'll wake up and maybe I won't see as well. You know, every day was a different journey. It was a journey. It's terrifying. Unless you’re with people who are experiencing the same thing and can give support, it's a very lonely thing.
I'm adjusting it, but I'm much more stable now than I have been ever. I'm less fearful about the future. I know the vision may deteriorate further, but I feel I have the skills now and the support now with all of the services, yours included, to navigate.
The most important thing is you need a support group. You cannot do this alone. You may need more than your family. You need people who are experiencing the same thing.
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.