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     By Ed Henkler
     Vision loss – the end, the beginning,   Eventually, it’s time to move on. Ev-
     something else entirely? I’ve asked a lot   eryone adapts at a different pace and
     of people whether they would rather   there is no one “right” speed. There is
     lose a limb or their eyesight. Almost    also a complex relationship with the
     universally, the response is the limb.   individuals who step into the caregiver
     That’s how much people dread vision   role. They will initially do everything
     loss. That’s a bit daunting given the   they can to protect and assist you. In
     prevalence of vision loss as people age.  time, one of three paths will be cho-
                                         sen. Ideally, the person who has lost
     Rather than be dismayed, I would argue   their sight will adapt fairly quickly and
     that there is a bright future with vision   their support network will evolve from
     loss. How can you say that, you may be   caretaking to caregiving. The other two
     wondering? It is my firm belief that you   paths are not as smooth. Perhaps the
     can thrive with vision loss. Is it easy?   person with vision loss will struggle to
     Not even close, but it is possible, with   accept the loss and the caregiver will
     some patience and a positive spirit.   lose patience with them. Alternatively,
     When vision loss is first detected, it is   the person who has lost their sight will
     likely you’ll be devastated and…that’s   adapt but the caregiver will find it hard
     OK. In fact, it’s not only OK, it’s neces-  to set them free. You can learn more
     sary. It may be helpful to consider the   about caregiving versus caretaking at
     insights of Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross,   The Blind Guide (theblindguide.com/
     who is famously known for her five   caregivers-vs-caretakers/).
     stages of grief. These are a series of
     emotional stages experienced by sur-  While I am fully sighted, I have personal
     vivors of an intimate’s death. They can   experience with the transition associ-
     be readily applied to a devastating life   ated with vision loss. In the mid-1990’s,
     change, such as vision loss.        my mom called to tell me that she had
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