Client Profiles

The following clients have been featured in our newsletter and on our blog. We hope you will enjoy meeting our clients, learning about their challenges, and applauding their success.

Debbie

Debbie has Retinitis Pigmentosa, a genetic condition that has narrowed her field of vision and significantly reduced her visual acuity. Debbie is able to see some color and some shape, but she’s unable to see faces or read print unaided. She can’t see anything in the dark and has problems traveling in unfamiliar places. Debbie is also hard of hearing. Read More about Debbie.

Aidan

Meet Aidan, who is one of the children in our early intervention program for kids, ages birth to five. Aidan entered the world a few days before Christmas in 2008. He was born 3 months earlier than expected, weighing just a little over 2 pounds. He was so tiny that he fit in the palm of his dad’s hand. Read More about Aidan.

Peggy

Peggy moved to Florida from West Haven Connecticut 36 years ago. She is a demure and sprightly woman who did not realize that she had a serious vision problem. Peggy was diagnosed with glaucoma about five years ago. Soon after, she was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration. Read More about Peggy.

Theresa

Recently the Lighthouse coined the phrase: “Keep Theresa Working” and has been using it in interviews, proposals, and on our website. Theresa works in the WebStore, which was our first Lighthouse employment initiative for persons who are visually impaired and blind. Some might be wondering ‘who is this Theresa person’ and ‘why do we need to keep her working’? This is Theresa’s story. Read More about Theresa.

Isabella

In June 2011, Isabella will be turning 2 years old. Her family has been a part of our Babies Program for over a year now. Isabella and her mom first started coming into the Hernando Lighthouse where Isabella loved loved loved to spend time in the sensory room. Isabella’s eye conditions, macular hypoplasia, ocular albinism and nystagmus limit the amount of visual information she can process, but the lights, sounds and textures in the sensory room have really helped her to learn to focus her attention. Read More about Isabella.

Angel

My name is Angel and I am visually impaired. It was over two years ago that I lost vision in my left eye as a result of diabetic retinopathy.  As I started to deal with this disability and its debilitating effect on my life, I realized that I was going to need help. I started reaching out to various groups and I learned I was not alone. There is help available to those who seek it. I have also met persons who, like me, have suffered various levels of visual disabilities and have similar stories. Read More about Angel.

Dallas

One very important lifetime skill that little ones are working on every day is how to move around safely in their environment. Taking those first few steps towards welcoming arms and smiling faces is a tremendous achievement for any baby. Taking those steps without vision is a leap of faith and hoping someone will be there to catch you is a wonder. Dallas is one of our wonderful little ones who is just about ready to take those steps. Read More about Dallas.

Donna

Donna is an adventurous, determined woman who met and is overcoming that significant challenge. Although she has had Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) from birth, she has not let it stop her from leading a productive life. Donna lends a hand in support of her family, friends and her community when she sees a need. Recently, Donna’s vision impairment became more pronounced and her living situation changed. These factors could have been a huge detriment but Donna rose to the challenge and began what she is now calling her next adventure. Read More about Donna.

Mae and Angela

Angela knows about Macular Degeneration, the eye disease that robs many people of their sight. Her 84-year-old mother, Mae, also, knows about MD. Their family has a history of MD and because of it, has participated in a 35 year study conducted by the Albany Medical Center in Upstate New York.

Mae is a retired physical therapist who thrived on physical activity—walking and dancing. About 8 years ago, however, she started to notice changes in her vision. She knew it was MD, but she didn’t tell anyone. Read More about Angela and Mae.

Ben

Not expecting much, anticipating boredom and not fitting in, he kept his head down on the table and was not sure he wanted to participate on the first day. His thoughts were, “This will be just like school. Sitting, listening and not doing much.” Oh was he in for a surprise. Read More about Ben.