MLV Foundation

Resilience

debbie — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 18:50:28 +0000

I read a quote by Elizabeth Edwards that states “Resilience is accepting your new reality, even it’s less good than the one you had before. You can fight it, you can do nothing but scream about what you’ve lost, or you can accept that and try to put together something that’s good.”

I have been struggling recently as I’ve noticed some more vision loss and I’ve begun to do some pondering.

In my pondering today, I decided to see if there are new stats out on the blind population and came across some new 2019 stats that are out now. Here’s what I came across this morning on the two counties where I spend most of my time: Payne County, Oklahoma and Jasper County, Missouri. In Payne County there are 121 ages 18 and under, 1092 18-64 and 1198 65+ blind and visually impaired. Total of 2,411. In Jasper County there are 604 ages 18 and under, 1414 18-64 and 1043 65+ blind and visually impaired. Total of 3,061. To me, that’s a significant number of people to reach out to and serve…just in those two counties alone.

I ponder just how many of those people are longing to have interaction with others – other than their own family members. How many would like or enjoy just being able to go shopping or go out to eat without having to worry about transportation issues or for those with guide dogs, who would be turned away and not be served even when protected by law? I consider the loneliness, the feeling of being “home-bound” or “shut in”, of the desire to be involved in a church and serve yet getting passed over due to people thinking we blind can’t do anything. (Don’t even get me started on the local churches failing this particular demographic – in which I’m working on hopefully overturning the fear and stigma of that.)

Anyway, my point is, we are out there. I have a heart and calling to reach them and do stuff with them and for them. To let them know they are not alone in this journey. My heart hurts to know I won’t have enough “beats” left to do all I envision (my limitless vision) to help and serve, but, I will continue to strive to that end. I don’t want you to be afraid of us if you see us in public – blindness IS NOT a contagious disease. You won’t catch it if you interact with us. We are regular people with messed up eyes. We love being included and involved and if you have questions, just ask.2 CommentsLikeCommentShare

Strength, Pt. 2

debbie — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 23:19:09 +0000

When I started My Limitless Vision, it was out of a deep-seated need to gain understanding about life after vision and to connect with others who have had similar experiences. I was quite discouraged, confused and depressed learning about my vision loss and prayed for strength and encouragement. I kept questioning, “Now What?”. You see, I had just come through a time of meeting some lifelong goals, career speaking, geared around of course, earning a living. I had just completed my Educational Specialist degree in Information Science and Learning Technologies (aka Educational Technology) and was looking at beginning at starting a Ph.D program for Online Teaching and Learning. I had been involved with training faculty and staff in higher ed on various technologies, was involved with the deployment of online classes at the university I was working at even to the point of developing a state-wide certification program for teaching online, which entailed a collaborative project working with multi-institutions of higher learning. I had also began working on a NASA grant dealing with online learning for high school students. Life was looking pretty good as far as my career path was concerned. Not bad for a recently widowed mom of grade schooler who was working her tail off to be prepared to take on the primary earner role of the family. Then, the diagnosis of Glaucoma came along with significant vision loss and it turned my world upside down.

I had to rely on God. I had to find my strength in Him. The aftermath and collapse after vision loss was devastating. I had remarried, faced financial ruin due to student loan debt and then loan forgiveness only to be charged all at once with a huge tax bill from said forgiveness. It was devastating. I needed people in life who had gone through similar things. I needed to connect…to find that life continues on…after blindness.

I knew there had to be blind people out there, I just couldn’t find any where I lived. I knew if I was having difficulty, other “newbies” to blindness would be struggling too. MLV’s mission is to connect the blind and visually impaired. In this quest, the Lord brought others into my life. I’ve gotten a tremendous amount of encouragement and I’ve been able to give a lot of encouragement as well. I enjoy being a Barnabas-an encourager. I draw my strength from God, especially on this journey of vision loss. My hope is that God will use me and what I have been through to encourage others that there is life after blindness.

Strength, Pt. 1

debbie — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 23:18:05 +0000

I follow a gentleman on Twitter who calls himself BlindPoetRP. His name is Dave Steele and he’s from England. He writes poetry dealing with vision loss. I love his words as they often echo my own thoughts in going through vision loss and living in between the worlds of the sighted and non-sighted.

He shared recently the following: The strength of my heart is more powerful than the loss of my eyes. This really hit home as these words reflect what I feel and actions that I hope emanate from me. The strength I have is not of my own; it’s through my faith in God. I am but a weak vessel where God is the potter, molding me and shaping me daily into the masterpiece He desires.

Two scriptures and a worship song immediately came to the forefront of my mind upon reflecting on Dave’s words. The first was “I can do anything through Him who gives me strength” Phil 4:13 and Isaiah 40:29-31 “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagle; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

The song that came to mind is Don Moen’s song, “God is the strength of my heart” and these are the lyrics: “Whom have I in Heaven but you. There is nothing on earth I desire besides you. My heart and my strength many times they fail. But there is one truth that always will prevail. God is the strength of my heart. God is the strength of my heart. God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” To be continued…

Links: twitter.com/BlindPoetRP