Yesterday I had the opportunity to share my story and specifically my experiences with having a low vision clinic in my community at a Lyon’s Club convention. Let me just say, I have spoken in crowds before, but I had no idea how raw it was going to be to share this journey at a public level. It wasn’t as polished or organized as I would have liked, but it was definitely from the heart. I guess I hadn’t quite realized on a deeper level how important low vision services have been for me. I made the analogy that when your car breaks down you don’t try to figure out how to fix it on the internet (though some might). You go to a mechanic. You go where people are educated, knowledgeable and resourceful. That is what you do when you are low vision, you enlist those who can and know how to make your life better. Low vision is such an emotional, mental, as well as physical blow you need all the help you can get. The staff at my local clinic has made this new reality of mine as comfortable as anyone can make it, but mainly they have helped me not feel completely alone. I had also shared how they have turned the light on at the end of the proverbial tunnel. I do have a future and a purpose, even though I don’t know what they are right now. The staff and the programs at Ensight are my lighthouse on the rocky coast of life and I am very grateful. My parting remark was: the cost of getting to the retina specialist $5, the cost of the doctor’s visit and injection of Avastin $75, the value of a low vision clinic and the services provided by Ensight Skills, priceless!
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