7 more days to wait .....
All I can think or dream about is guide dog school and getting the dog. I thought maybe today I would tell you my story of losing my sight.
About 10-12 years ago, I was as most 40 year olds wearing glasses. The glasses were needed for distance, far sighted. However, I was having problems seeing the heart monitors in the emergency room and could not read the exit signs on the interstate. I really thought I just needed knew glasses. So, went to the eye doctor and he ran all these test. He came back in the room and said you have a real problem. You need to see a retina specialist. So, after a short breakdown and total denial phase, I made an appointment with a retina specialist in New Orleans.
Of course, being a single mom and very independent I drove myselfe to New Orleans from the Gulf Coast in Mississippi. The doctor at Tulane told me I had dry macular degeneration and my eyes were like an 80 year old person. He told me there was no treatment except to take some vitamins that might slow the process but if I wanted to take a trip around the world then I needed to plan for it soon. He also suggested that I learn brail. I remember asking him if he could pay for my trip, laughing, and walking out of his office. Needless to say, I was devistated.
As I was driving back and feeling extremely sorry for myself, I thought about how many others were given much worse news and I should be thankful that it was not that bad. Oh, do not get me wrong I was unnerved and worried about my future. I did think about the guide dog at that time and thought that a dog might give me some consolation. I did not tell my family right away and went into my denial phase where I was pretenting nothing was wrong. I did finally tell my family and they were and still are very supportive.
It took years for the macular degeneration to progress to the complete loss of my central vision. It also took hurricane Katrina for me to realize that I would never be able to pass a eye exam for a driver's license. Since, we pretty much lost everything in Katrina including two cars, Life was going to change. That experience was totally devistating and unreal. To think you can find yourself homeless and with no possessions overnight is a nightmare.
Anyway, thanks to my daughters, son in laws, family and friends we made it through to this point.
Tomorrow the story will continue. Until then be happy and safe. nancy
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