Welcome To Our Blog!

Hello, welcome to our blog! Over the last 25 years I have spoken at over 75 professional conferences, and many more consumer conferences, meetings and support groups. We didn't have blogs back then, but there sure were many conversations that touched my life. Now, we have the opportunity to stimulate one another in discussing some important topics such as living with low vision, keeping up with the research about specific eye diseases. How about vitamins, lifestyle choices that are healthy for us and our eyes as well as research such as reading or driving studies?
And how do we keep up with the latest technology? Learning what works for consumer off-the-shelf products as well as specialized products for the visually impaired. Do you know about low vision rehabilitation services? What have you experienced from the clinical services you have received from professionals such as optometrists, occupational therapists, rehabilitation teachers or orientation and mobility teachers?
I was diagnosed with Stargardt Macular Dystrophy at age 19. I lost central vision slowly over a six or seven year period, gave up driving, my artwork, playing college basketball and finishing school. Years of denial, anger and uncertainty brought me to a difficult time in life. Meeting one other visually impaired person for the first time was the key to coping and learning to laugh again! Then over time, eventually back to college and graduate school with some real success!
Now as a mature adult, the highs and lows are not the same-especially the lows! Thank God. But I am aware of the continual challenges of living with deteriorating vision. However, I push myself harder to continually find new ways to do things, continually try new challenges and technology despite many bouts of anger or frustration.
Let me hear from you! Let others hear from you and together we can continue to rise to an even greater level than we ever thought possible! Just like at our support group meetings, your stories and experiences may touch someone's life, and even turn their life around!