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CREATING NEW POSSIBILITIES - Mary
It's funny how things turn out. I used to work and volunteer at a home for the blind in Chicago. I was always impressed by the abilities and positive attitudes of the people who lived there. I never thought how big an influence that would have on my life—but then who ever thinks that they will one day lose their vision? Who ever thought I would need the Guild for the Blind?
I remember I was in the shower when I noticed a black spot on the floor. I thought, "This is crazy, I just washed this floor!" Then the spot followed me throughout the house. I went to the eye doctor, and he told me that I have macular degeneration. This condition runs in my family. I remember that my mother complaining that she couldn't see. She was never diagnosed with macular degeneration, the doctor just told her that she was getting old.
When you lose your vision, it affects everything in your life. It's not just the big things—like work and driving. Though these are BIG changes, I think anyone could adjust. You know how frustrating it is when you lose your keys—the same keys you used ten minutes ago to open the door? Imagine feeling that over and over, every day. From your dinner fork, to your medicine, you have to keep everything routine and organized or you waste hours every day looking for things.
I used to be an avid reader, reading up to four books in a week. I loved curling up in a chair on a cold winter day with a good book. I did a lot of embroidery—my walls are filled with my work. Balancing my checkbook. Macular degeneration took all of these from me.
But I knew I had to go out and make the best of it or I would just sit at home and cry. And I will not just sit in the house!
I was lucky to find a strong support at the Smith Center--within walking distance to my home in Skokie. This is where I learned about the Guild for the Blind's New Visions program. New Visions provides practical training to adults with new vision loss. It sounded just like what I needed. And, best of all, the program would be offered right at the Smith Center! This was so important, especially to people with vision loss. We can't drive and don't like to be a burden to others, so we have to rely on public transportation. This makes getting around a chore. But the Guild makes it easy and brings their New Visions program out into the community to those who need it most.
The Guild provides this training at no cost to seniors, thanks to generous donors like you. Like most seniors, I am on a limited budget. By offering this training for free, right near home, the Guild made it easy for me to attend.
I signed up for all four workshops and even changed my schedule to attend every session. Kerry, the presenter, was great. She always took the time to explain new ways to do things. She helped us understand that we could be as good as before. Seeing such a competent and confident young woman with vision loss made me feel like I was not alone. I felt like a human being again.
The New Visions program provides so much information on everything from magnification to recreation. And the Guild gives all the participants these great tools to take home and try out—things I never imagined existed. Little plastic raised dots that you can stick onto your microwave so you can find the start button by touch. A keychain clock that announces the time at the push of a button. And a pen that writes in a thick black ink that I can read.
I now listen to books on tape. I am trying to take up embroidery again using a magnifier. One of the best tools Kerry gave me was a large print check register. I used to be a bookkeeper and it was so frustrating not being able to balance my own checkbook. Now I can not only balance my checkbook, I feel like I have balance in my life again. Return to Success Stories
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