ZoomText is my new best friend. After a long wait I finally had it installed on my work computer and I find it amazing. The majority of my job is computer based, and the programs that we use have the smallest font that even perfect sighted people struggle to read at times. I have spent so much time craning my neck and straining to read, and having ZoomText on my computer is probably the best thing I have done so far for my condition. I was finding that I was getting headaches and a sore neck, which I get no more!
I also put the software on my home computer, which I also bought a 27 inch monitor for (and it's HUGE!), and I am in heaven. I'm used to the sliding across the screen now and I can't use a computer without it.
The software has some nifty inclusions - changing colour schemes, changing the mouse so it's bigger or has a circle around it, making the cursor larger and the speech component, which I haven't had the need to use as yet, and when I have people wonder what's going on in my office when they hear a weird, computerised voice coming from it!
I highly recommend the software, it has changed my life!
As mentioned I purchased my ZoomText from Quantum in Australia and their website is below.
Quantum Reading Learning Vision
As I have mentioned previously, Advanced Cell Technology are undertaking in stem cell research to treat Stargardt's disease. They have now successfully treated the first Stargardt's patient with embryonic stem cells, and have recently been approved by the Data and Safety Monitoring Board to proceed to treat a further two patients with Stargardt's.
This is fantastic news and we are one step closer to hopefully having a treatment. It is also a positive sign that the trial has been cleared to continue as the patient must have responded well to the first treatment, or at least it was not harmful! I am looking forward to more information on the trial as I'm sure all of you are. Check out Advanced Cell Technology's press release below.
ACT Press Release
Today is World Signt Day 2011 and it aims to raise awareness across the world of blindness, visual impairment and rehabilitation for the visually impaired. The day is also an advocacy event for "Vision 2020: The Right to Sight" which is a World Health Organization (WHO)and International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness initiative with the ideal goal to prevent blindness. Below is the infographic by Ultralase to promote World Sight Day and eye health.
I have been told by several people to check out 'The London Project' as they are making strong progress in finding treatment for blindness. The organisation aims to cure blindness through stem cells, and with what I have learnt to date about Stargardt's, this seems to be the future in our treatment. Their main focus is on macular degeneration, but this could definitely lead to treatment for Stargardt's, as they are focusing on finding a way to replace the damaged RPE cells of the eye.
The London Project has finished the safety phases of its trials and will proceed to human clinical trials in 2012, which is very exciting news. Like Advanced Cell in the US, The London Project uses embryonic stem cells and hopefully success is in the near future.
The organization is currently asking for donations to make the next phase of trials happen. Anybody wishing to donate can do so on the link below.
The London Project
I have been putting this off for quite some time, but I thought I should get myself together and go to my optometrist to have a check up to see where my eyes are at. I also needed a new pair of glasses as the pair I currently wear are broken - I sat on them and my Dad did a botch glue job to 'fix' them and they are now wonky. So all in a all a visit to the optometrist was overdue.
I felt quite nervous because I didn't want to hear bad news. I had been feeling as though my eyes were deteriorating, that I couldn't see as well and things were getting harder. Going to the optometrist was a big deal for me.
My lovely Mum came along with me for moral support as I am known to have a breakdown or two, and she came in with me to do the testing. I really REALLY hate doing the eyes tests. I can never see anything and I get really frustrated trying to read the letters. Without my glasses the massive two letters on the first row are a big, blurry mess. So the test stresses me out a bit as I want so badly to be able to read the lines when I can't. My optometrist discovered that my eyes have become more shortsighted, so he was able to give me a stronger prescription to help me see in the distance slightly sharper and clearer, which I am excited about.
The great news is my eyes have not deteriorated in the last three years since I have seen him, which I am very lucky and thankful for. The only dampener was that my eyes really are rubbish and I am almost classified as legally blind, but if this is going to be it I sure can live with this and soldier on!
We had a big talk about the reality - driving, work in the future and possible pensions. The last thing I want is to be on a disability pension. I love my work and could not think of a day not being able to work. So I will cross that bridge later when I get to it, but I think its important that I am aware of what help is out there and have an understanding so if the need arose I would know what I have to do.
The main highlight of my visit was getting new glasses! I am so excited to get them! I purchased a new set of Oroton frames that I am in love with that are slightly bigger than your normal sized frames (yes I'm following the fashion trend) and I had an old Guess pair that I'm putting frames in as well.
I am very lucky to now know that my eyes are stable and fingers crossed they stay that way. At least I don't have to go back for testing for another few years!
My Zoom Text finally arrived today!!! I am very excited to get it to work tomorrow and load it up! I have been waiting for this software for such a long time so it is a great relief that I finally have it in my hot little hands!
I must thank Quantum for their help, they have been really helpful and so quick to respond to all my queries. Once I purchased the software they sent it straight away.
I'll keep you all posted on how it goes when I get it into work! I can't wait to read my computer screen with ease!
Check out Quantum, I strongly recommend them for all technology you might need!
Quantum
I really enjoy reading, especially before bed, and have a recent goal of collecting many books to make a mini library. In the past few months, I have realised that it has become harder to read books, and I can no longer put the book closer to my face as it is already touching my nose. So I stopped reading and started watching more tv.
Not long later I signed up at my local library and discovered there was a "large print" section. I was so excited I could start reading again without having to strain my eyes. I started browsing through the shelves trying to find something interesting, but everything seemed like an old, romantic novel and nothing I was interested in. All the books seemed to be targeted at an older age group. What about me?! I have poor vision too and want to read! So I was left disappointed.
I then decided to do some googling to see if I could find anybody selling large font books. I looked up the major websites and found, once again, that almost all the books were aimed at the older generations. I was actually quite surprised I thought that at least the major novels would be printed in large font, but no.
Options to help reading would include reading on the computer where there is adaptive software to enlarge, or a screen reader, but this doesn't enable me to read in bed or lay in the sun and read. I thought possibly I could purchase an iPad and download books on there to enlarge, yet this is an expensive investment considering there are other things that I need as well.
I hope to find a place or a shop online that sells large text font in books that I'm interested and if anybody has a secret about this please share!
I am also seriously considering getting an iPad not only to help me read but also so I could play all my favourite games that I'm starting to struggle playing on my iPhone.
Until then, I will be tuned in to my tv (mind you it's 60 inches and I still can't see the thing properly!!).
