When I realized

I am often asked this question: When did I realize that my vision was gone? When did I realize that my sight was almost all gone and that I could no longer see?

These are still very painful questions for me to respond to but here goes. I realized the terrible truth the day I stood near my bedroom window and looked out to see if I could see the sun. I could feel the warmth of it on my cheeks but alas! I could not see the golden rays. This is when I realized that my precious vision was now going to be a memory forever and this was the day in late January 2004, days after the doctors attempted to save my right eye after a huge retinal detachment.

I did not say anything to anyone, choosing instead to take stock of my life. I was slow to come to grips with this drastic change but I knew that I had to come to terms with it and deal with it in my own way. It was not easy but it had to be done.

Slowly but surely I realized that my world would be a very different one. With no functional vision to help me get around and no more vision to help me enjoy colors and shapes, I had to revert to using and depending on my ears and hands to help me communicate.

My vision was now even much less than what I was born with. Yes, that was the day that I realized, no warning, no preparation. All up to me now.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day and inviting you to go out there and spread the word about how blind persons cope. Come by any time and visit me at www.sterlingcreations.ca.
Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan.