Joyce thought she wasn’t blind enough for Lighthouse services, but after considering her limitations related to vision loss, and the fact that Lighthouse could help her get some of that back, she quickly changed her mind.
Joyce is an upbeat, busy, and caring person. She has a husband, 2 cats, and many interests that include caring for homeless cats at the animal shelter, and cooking meals for church during Lent. She is a retired laboratory chemist, and has called Florida her home for 12 years. Joyce was born very near-sighted, but her vision was correctable with glasses for many years. In her 50s, Joyce discovered she had Diabetic Retinopathy. Diabetic Retinopathy, which causes blurred and patchy vision, often leads to blindness. In the early stages, laser surgery helped restore her vision, however, within the last 10 years she has stopped working and driving because of progressive vision loss. When laser treatment could no longer help, her Ophthalmologist’s office referred her to the Lighthouse.
Her first reaction was sadness and disbelief. She said “I had heard of the Lighthouse, but it wasn’t for me—I wasn’t blind enough.” Then she considered the fact that she could not see faces, drive a car, and that she was having difficulty caring for herself and her family. She thought, “…maybe Lighthouse is for me after all.
In the fall of 2015, Joyce started attending the Independent Living Skills Program (IL). When she met her instructor, Sylvia, she was intrigued. She had never met a blind person before, and she wondered how a blind person could be so well put together, or move around the building so effortlessly. Joyce and 5 other participants began the program. They were taught a wide range of adapted skills, including how to advocate for oneself as a person with a visual impairment; how to cut, boil, fry and bake; how to sweep a floor, iron, organize clothes and shoes, and manage medication. They also learned how to access services, such as talking books and public transportation. Joyce was thrilled to learn she could ask for the butcher’s cut in a restaurant so her meat could be cut in the kitchen.
Early on, Joyce began helping her classmates—she was so happy she had enough vision to help others, and she learned how to be comfortable with their vision loss. She admits she was uncomfortable with addressing people until she got some practice. She soon learned to add more information to phrases like ‘over here.’ Sylvia Perez, Lighthouse CEO, and the instructor for the first Citrus Independent Living Skills class, said “It was wonderful to watch Joyce regain her confidence and enthusiasm. She has a lot to offer others, and I know she isn’t going to let vision loss stop her from enjoying her life.
Joyce successfully completed her IL Program, and went on to learn to use the white cane to increase safety and independence. She also took classes in computers. She is currently learning how to work with documents using accessible technology, and has already learned lots of tips and tricks, like how to use Explorer to organize her photos.
Joyce has wonderful things to say about all the Lighthouse staff, including the fact that she was treated like a lady by her drivers, and that Brad, her Assistive Technology instructor, was so patient, optimistic and knowledgeable. Before Lighthouse services, Joyce felt alone, and she didn’t know how much help she really needed. Now she feels better about life, and is eager to increase her independence. She plans on learning how to use an iPhone and is receptive to other learning opportunities to maintain her independence and active lifestyle.