Tools for the Journey: Meet Debbie

When Debbie first put on her new bioptics at Society for the Blind’s Low Vision Clinic, she cried as she was able to see detail both across the room and up close. Just a few months later, this tool that combines a small telescope with a standard pair of eyeglasses became a significant source of comfort to her when she began treatment for lung cancer this past fall.

Debbie wearing bioptics from our Low Vision Clinic

“I never smoked a day in my life, but I was diagnosed with lung cancer,” Debbie said. “I had the lower lobe of my right lung removed and then developed pneumonia. During those many stays in the hospital and ICU, my husband would get my bioptics out so I could meet each of the new nurses and see my surgeon up close. It alleviated a lot of my anxiety being able to fully see each person and what they were doing.”

While Debbie had eye challenges her whole life, she started noticing strange issues with her vision nine years ago at the age of 59. Flat tiles on the floor would look like they were rising to a point, and lines were becoming wavy. She visited a retinal specialist who diagnosed her with vitelliform macular dystrophy. Seven years later, her vision had declined significantly, and she came to Society for the Blind in 2023.

At our Low Vision Clinic, Debbie learned varying ways to use her remaining vision through occupational therapy, assistive technology and mobility lessons.

While not something that benefits everyone with vision loss, the Low Vision Clinic staff determined bioptics might be helpful for Debbie.

“They had me use a test pair of bioptics and took me on a walk through the neighborhood and to a coffee shop where I could read the entire menu board,” Debbie said. “Here we were in a public place, and I was trying to act normal, but inside I was so excited.”

It took three months for Debbie’s personalized bioptics to arrive, and the day they did, she cried. She said, “The tears just welled up in my eyes, and I could look across the room and see everything.”

Since undergoing treatment for lung cancer and pneumonia, Debbie also developed esophagitis and lost 30 pounds because she was unable to eat. She said she finally feels like she is “coming out of the tunnel” and moving on from the cancer diagnosis and treatment to thriving through her cancer journey. She is attending classes and is grateful to have her bioptics as she moves from looking at the white board far away to the things in front of her.

Her bioptics also have helped her continue to enjoy going to baseball games – one of her favorite pastimes. “I wouldn’t be able to see the game, and then I’d put on my bioptics and I could see what was in the back pocket of the person at bat,” she said laughing.

Thanks to what she has received and learned at the Low Vision Clinic, she now uses a large checkbook register to record bills, has helpful tips for using appliances, owns board games designed for people with vision loss and can enjoy walks by herself.

Although Debbie and her husband are no longer active in Reignite Hope – an educational program that helps young men, including those leaving incarceration, learn welding and gain employment – they remain in touch and active in some of the student’s lives. Debbie has been able to continue doing administrative tasks for their welding inspection business.

As Debbie began learning more about her eye diagnosis, she learned it was genetic and started doing family history research that led her to uncover family issues she wanted to address.

“Processing this new family information alongside my loss of independence due to my vision and cancer journeys has been a lot, but leaning into my faith has carried me through,” she said.

Debbie and her husband at a River Cats game

Debbie said she now would like to begin counseling through Society for the Blind’s PEARLS program that focuses on helping older adults develop the skills they need to maintain their health, happiness and independence. 

Despite health issues and ongoing visual disturbances – like when she thought she was picking up a leaf and realized it was a frog – Debbie has continued to push forward to meet her goals. Through a separate wellness program for people with cancer, she was even able to accomplish one of her dreams – proudly completing an afghan she had started crocheting 50 years ago with her grandmother, even using her grandmother’s original yarn.

“I couldn’t use my bioptics because I needed to have my head down to crochet,” Debbie said. “Between other glasses and special lights, I was able to finish this afghan in memory of my grandmother.”

She continued, “I’ve counted on Society for the Blind through some pretty ugly stuff. There have been so many times I’ve thought, ‘how am I going to do this?’, but they have lots of solutions and can provide so many tools. Thank you, Society for the Blind!”