My Fear Vs My Optimism

Over the past few years I have had numerous thoughts that provoke fear and sadness about things in my future. From having my whole life seemingly planned (yes I know I'm slightly OCD) and my goals within my reach to all of it taken from underneath me. I sometimes look back at the day of diagnosis and the weeks following it and the feelings and thoughts I had - they were grief-stricken and quite frankly irrational. I'm thankful that at the time I did not make any rash decisions, most likely because I had no idea what to do.

I've gathered some of my most personal and distressing thoughts I've had about my diagnosis with Stargardt's and how it will affect my life. For each of them, I've tried to take a positive spin and find the reality in each to help me cope and see the glass half full. I hope this can help others who are having the same thoughts.

My Fear: How will I ever see my babies faces?
My Optimism: I can still see faces up close, and let's be honest I'll be in my babies' faces constantly! From being around other babies I won't lie and pretend I haven't noticed that I need to get closer to see their cute little eyes and smiles, but from the experience I've been able to find a certain peace in it and know that I will still be able to see them to a degree up close. It won't hinder my bond with my children. They will also learn to adapt to my situation and become strong, positive little beings who are sensitive to people with a disability.

My fear: I won't be able to live independently. I won't be able to get where I need to go in an emergency and especially if I have kids.
My optimism: I live at home with a huge family and enough animals to have our own zoo. I have lived out of home previously but this was the early stages of my disease and I could still drive. I'm hoping to move into my own place in the near future and have realized that there is a lot I need to consider - I need to make sure I live walking distance from shops, doctors etc, close to public transport and my work. I also want to be a short distance from my family so I can travel alone to them. When I tell people that I want to stay living locally I am frequently questioned and told there are so many other beautiful places to live. The reality is - I need support. Is that a bad thing? No. Do people without a vision impairment need support? Yes. So what is so bad? Nothing. I may need to plan my location a little more than the average person but that really doesn't matter. In the end I will still be able to find a home with accommodations to support my independence. 

My fear: I won't be able to find a partner who will accept me for me.
My optimism: If someone can't accept I have a vision impairment and see my worth as a person, then they aren't worth another minute of my time! This is something I have grappled with numerous times and it is hard to actually truly believe it. My generation is focused on possessions, selfies and everything is disposable. There is always something better (apparently). This has really broken me down. I have thought I now have a 'flaw' and 'who would want to be with someone who can't see or drive?' I've realized how untrue this is. My vision doesn't affect my worth as a person, in fact it increases it. It has given me knowledge, strength and resilience. It has given me a whole new outlook on life, taught me empathy, taught me determination. These are all qualities that are positive and can bring wealth to a relationship. So if somebody doesn't appreciate that, to be cliche, it is their loss. I would never be the strong woman I am today without this experience.

M fear: I won't be able to work doing a career I enjoy.
My optimism: Of course I can! Never say never (sorry, I hate to quote Justine Beiber but he is actually right!). I've said this from the start, I may just have to take a different route to get to the end goal. For instance, I wanted to do medicine, I wanted to be able to help people. What did I do instead? I studied psychology. I'm still doing what I love and will be able to sustain this career despite my vision. It could be anything you want to be (with the exceptions of anything driving related but driver-less cars could change this!).Don't listen to people who tell you otherwise. It may be tough at times but what in life isn't. The most important thing is to do something you love and enjoy every day and do something that gives you meaning. Don't settle for anything that doesn't make you happy. 

I hope that others can find the optimism in their fears. I am still battling with these ideas but over time it becomes easier and I become more positive. It is always scary at the start but once you really think about the truth in the thoughts they don't seem as overwhelming. 

Most of all never think you are alone. Sometimes speaking out about your feelings and emotions can be beneficial. It is cathartic. Whether it be family, friends or a counselor. Vision loss is not just a physical condition, it affects every aspect of one's life. Don't be afraid to acknowledge that. 

 Image source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/362328732497745408/



 

Today is a milestone

Today is a milestone in my journey. Apart from being my sister's birthday (Happy Birthday J!), it's also the day my driver's licence expires. 

I've held my licence since I was 16 and got my Learner's. My first care was this horrendous red Mercedes Benz station wagon that fit seven people, two backwards in the boot. It was our old family car and I think my parents gave it to me so they could keep track of where I was, because everybody knew the car and would report back to my Dad who would then phone me and ask where I was. Busted! Apart from it's hideousness, it was a sturdy, solid beast and kept everyone safe.

My second car was, once again, a dump. My Dad being a mechanic was always picking up old cars no-one wanted. This lead to my inheritance of an old blue Mitsubishi Lancer. The catch was that this car was manual, and I only knew how to drive automatic. I've never felt more uncoordinated in my life learning to drive manual. I stalled the car (not exaggerating at all) over 10 times at one intersection! Luckily, I finally got the hang of it and turned into the manual queen! 

My little Lancer got me to and from uni, and in my final year of uni I landed a full-time job and my first real income. My first purchase was a brand spanking new silver Mazda 2. She was my baby, my first really large purchase. It was only a few months after I bought my baby that I started having vision problems and was diagnosed with Stargardt's. What a slap in the face. 

I was told at that time I shouldn't be driving at all, but I'm NOT proud to say I continued to drive, only short distances and not on freeways. I know I shouldn't have but letting go was ridiculously hard. I wasn't coping with all the emotions of this diagnosis and this was another blow. 

As my vision deteriorated I knew I had to stop. That was a huge decision and something that caused me a lot of stress and anxiety. I've written about that experience previously. This was also when I decided to sell my car. It was a contributor to my rock bottom.

Even though I haven't driven for about a year, today still is a big deal. I've known this day was coming and it was always a black day in my mind. It feels as though it is now final, done, can't be changed and set in concrete. There's no chance I could renew my licence. It's almost as if I had hoped a miracle would occur and I would improve. I never lose faith until the day has passed! 

To be honest, I don't feel as bad as I thought I would. I thought I'd be feeling anxious and like my control is being taken away. Part of this lesser feeling is probably due to not having driven in a while, I essentially weaned myself of driving, then the idea of driving. I've really surprised myself and I'm surprised in my strength and positivity. 

I still hate public transport and will continue to avoid it (chauffeur wanted, enquire within!). This just gives me more motivation to succeed and bring about change for others. I want everyone else to know that it DOES get easier. I'm not going to lie and say it's a walk in the park and I don't have days when I just want to cry, but overall my outlook has changed and my drive just keeps increasing. 

It's hard to let go, but do it slowly if you can. It always looks worse when you are looking into the future, but once you're there, it's not so bad. Then when you look back, you think 'wow, I did well' and can feel proud and push yourself further. 

Stay positive and never, ever give up!

Photo credit: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/45739752440941597/

Real People # 1

In the coming months I will be sharing stories of others living with Stargardt's and other retinal dystrophies. These people have all inspired me on my journey and no doubt will inspire you too!

First up is Jenna!

Jenna Lawson, 22, Florida, United States

What is your diagnosis and how does it affect you?

In March of 2011, I was diagnosed with Stargardt disease, a type of retinal dystrophy. This disease impacts my central vision and, at this point, I have no central vision left. When I first began losing my vision and I was told that neither glasses nor surgery would fix my problem, I was very scared and upset. At that point in my life, I was a year out of high school, I wasn't going to school (even though I really wanted to), and I was trying to enroll in a dental assisting program that I thought would bring some direction to my life. I had successfully enrolled in a program and was due to start in a few days when I received the news about my eyes, so I had to withdraw from my classes until I figured out what was happening with my vision. In addition to feeling scared, I felt angry because all I wanted to do was get my life on track, but all of these events were preventing me from doing so.

I, thankfully, received an official diagnosis two months later, and I remember thinking: "This is my life now. There is no looking back." I was so relieved to simply know what I was dealing with that acceptance came very easily. I was so eager to pursue my life that something like Stargardt was not going to stop me. Funny thing is, Stargardt disease turned out to be one of the biggest blessings of my life because, not only did it enable me to attend school, but it helped me realize my true strength and tenacity. It's strange how something that, at first, seemed so negative turned out to be such a positive and motivational experience.  I definitely encounter challenges from time to time, but I have accepted my eyes for what they are and this alone has given me great peace.

Where do you currently work or study and how do you find it with your vision impairment?

Currently, I attend the University of Central Florida, and I'm pursuing a Bachelor's in Social Science Education. My goal is to become a history teacher. Before UCF, I attended Weber State University in Utah. When I lived in Utah, I walked three miles to the nearest bus stop, in the cold and the snow, and then rode the bus for an hour to school. I kept getting sick because of the cold and I hated the long commute, so I moved to Florida where I'm able to wear sandals and shorts almost everyday. I take classes online, and I also take classes at a location that is about three miles from where I live. I ride my bike to and from this location, rain or shine. School is my job, at the moment, but I spend a lot of time volunteering at an elementary school. I ride my bike there, as well, because it's close to where I live. If I have to go anywhere else, like the grocery store or the dentist, I have to have a friend or family member take me.

What hobbies do you have?

I love to paint and draw, write stories, read, spend time at the beach, hang out with friends and family, watch movies, travel,  study world history, and belly dance. I continue to enjoy all of the activities I did before I began losing my vision. I started belly dancing about a year ago because I wanted to improve the health of my spine (I spend a lot of time hunching over notes and textbooks because I have trouble seeing).

What has been the biggest hurdle you have faced?

The biggest hurdle I have faced has been transportation. Transportation has been the most persistent and frustrating problem. In the United States, there is sort of this expectation that anyone 18 or older should be largely dependent on themselves. Lack of transportation makes it so you have to depend a lot on other people, and a lack of transportation can also limit your access to job opportunities. Learning to accept a state of dependence is difficult, and it can sometimes feel demeaning when you live in a culture that places so much emphasis on independence and "finding your own way". Not being able to provide transportation for yourself also shows who your true friends are; those that truly care will undoubtedly find the situation tricky, at times, but they will be there to support you no matter what, whereas others will see you as a burden and will disappear from your life. I take this hurdle one day at a time. As far as relationships and job opportunities go, I have come to view my transportation issue as a filter. In other words, opportunities and relationships will continue to be in my life, regardless of my eyesight and the challenges I must face on a daily basis.

What's the best advice you'd give to others in this situation?

I have learned some very important things over the past few years that I would love to share:

• Acceptance leads to success. Looking back on what used to be doesn't make things any easier, and it most certainly will not make you happy.
• Be your own advocate. If you need help, don't be afraid to let people know. There are so many resources for people who are visually impaired. It's truly an amazing experience when you connect with people who are dedicated to your success and well-being.
• Realize that things could be a lot worse. Honestly, I'm lucky to have Stargardt because, while I may lose an extent of my eyesight, I will never lose all of it. There are people out there who have suffered much worse and, amazingly, they have powered through it and come out on top. These people have been my greatest source of inspiration
• Never let others minimize your frustrations, challenges, or experiences.
• Pursue your interests and continue to live your life.
• Honor your sadness, frustration, and fear, but don't allow these emotions to consume you.

Thanks Jenna for sharing. You have been an amazing friend and support from the other side of the world!

Here are some of Jenna's beautiful artworks. I've previously shared some of her work make sure to also check it out here.

If you want to connect with Jenna on Facebook click here.