It's obvious that my posts are dwindling as are my comments. Ever since I was a toddler I've struggled to see. I was born with severe myopia and astigmatism but my parents didn't recognize the shortfall in my vision until the grade one teacher made it very clear that I needed spectacles. There was even a time when it was thought children should not have them because their vision would worsen!
Parents finally decided I should be seen by an optometrist during that school year. I still recall a part of the visit which took place in the heart of the city of Bremen where my Dad was busy with his creation as the founder of a language newspaper. The World and Press, which you can get online now in several languages is and was put out by the firm, Carl Schünnemann Verlag, and that it was located nearby helped me to recall it. My Dad would bring me along to his workplace sometimes and it felt very special. It was just in front of the Wesser River and not far from the gorgeous alleyway known as Böttcherstrasse famous for the Glockenspiel and the town square with the big ROLAND statue as well as the nearby famous bronze of the Bremen Town Musicians created from a children's tale. I loved that part of the town.
The eye appointment was the typical dilating drops, then bright lights glaring into the eyes and finally lenses being held to the face in front of the eyes until the chart images appeared focused. I had never known focus until that day.
As we left the office of this professional I overheard him tell my mother I had inherited very bad eyes and would likely go blind at an early age. Those words stayed with me. Though I am fairly elderly now with really poor vision facing me more and more, daily I have to thank my doctors for continuing to fine tune whatever vision is left.
Yesterday was one of those moments where after some dilating drops a laser was beamed into my left eye over and over. I felt the little sharp zaps. Then my eye pressure was taken and I was sent home but asked to return next month. So far this year I've been at the hospital clinic four times for my eyes.
Insight suggests to me now that I have avoided blogging more and more because of my sight but I tell myself I can use voice overs and audio programs to assist me. I just need to learn how. The time is here. I shall make the time to learn. I must.
Still deep down I pray that the stem cells for retinas will be available sooner. I could benefit a lot from a better working macula and new retinas!
"As we left the office of this professional I overheard him tell my mother I had inherited very bad eyes and would likely go blind at an early age. Those words stayed with me."
ReplyDeleteWow, what a thing to say. He was wrong, though. Makes me wonder what I've overheard that wasn't true.
I'm glad you are still writing. I like your blog, the stories about your growing up years and your children, especially your son who brings you so mich joy.
I'll miss it if you stop.
As my own eyes deteriorate (thankfully, not too bad so far) it makes me appreciate the gift of sight more and more. Hope those drops help.
ReplyDeleteback when that doctor made that comment, he was telling her the truth as he saw it then, not that he should have in front of you. but each year they find more and more to help with the problems you were born with. i do hope something new comes along to help you even more... hope the lazer treatment helps
ReplyDeleteAren't we lucky there is such amazing technology now to help us with all kinds of things? I hope you are able to find programs to help you and they are easy to learn and use. Good luck! I'm glad you're not just giving up blogging. I look forward to your next post.
ReplyDeleteI too look forward to your posts, whether they are frequent or rare. They are always worth my attention, and I am glad you can still see as well as you do. I have AMD and am very myopic, too. Without my glasses the world is very smudgy. :-)
ReplyDeleteSorry I haven't been around for a while. My Mother died as a result of a car accident last May 2014, and it seems there has been something with her estate until about a week ago, as far as I know it's all done.Then I got shingles, and then our son and his wife flew in late on Friday the 1st. and stayed until Tuesday morning the 5th. So that was a very short trip and a busy one, all of his sisters wanted to see him. It seem with doctor appointments, grocery shopping and resting, don't get a lot of other things I like to do done.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you a re still having so many problems with your eyes. I hope the doctors can and will be able to help some. They have learned so many new techniques.
Have to run, the plumber is here and I have to write a check for him. Have a good rest of the week. Tell Buddy hello.
Hi! I could have almost written part of that myself - except I had to wait (suffer) until I was in the 4th grade to get glasses. I was amazed at what I had been missing. From year to year all of my life, my eyes have changed. I had my cataracts removed and now instead of being near sighted, I am far sighted, it is confusing and yet my eyesight still changes in a downhill mode.
ReplyDeleteI've tried the speaking programs with less than happy results. I may need to try another program. I hope you can find a good one that works for you.
Hang in there!
XXX
Yes, hang in there. When one door closes, try making a hole in the wall, the ceiling or floor. I read that somewhere and it sounds better than waiting for another door to open. Hmm.
ReplyDeleteThat being said - it's very hard to realize our bodies are aging. I don't often blog anymore. Don't want to spend a lot of time at the computer, but I do miss my friends when I stay away.
Hope those laser treatments work for you. Every year there are more and more break-throughs in medical treatment and hopefully one day your eyesight will be much improved.
Hugs
Isn't it amazing to live in a time where things like lasers can help so significantly? It's also so amazing to me how strong the human spirit is - how strong yours is that you're finding ways to "see" despite your failing eyes.
ReplyDeleteI think half or more of my problems are related to my 80+ years of age. That's a lot older than any car I have or have had. I am beyond rusting out but not wearing out -- as that process is still going on.
ReplyDeleteAnd I gripe about my struggles with my eye! Hopefully as eye treatment stuff evolves, more relief will come your way.
ReplyDeleteLet us know how that audio voice over thing works.
I had to get glasses when I was in fifth grade and my brothers urged me not to wear them because I would become dependent on them. Well, I was dependent the minute I put them on and found I could see with them.
ReplyDeleteLike you, my eyesight makes it difficult to use the computer now. I enlarge the print to read and to write, then reduce it when I post it.
Good luck with your eyes. There are programs for those who cannot see well enough to read the screen. Look into them. I can see you are a popular blogger although this is my first time to visit.