Resources

Resources: Living With Vision Loss:The T.A.S.K. of Living with Central Vision Loss

Eighty percent of our sensory information is obtained through sight.No wonder it is so traumatic when we lose the ability to see well.Normal daily activities like reading the morning paper, pouring coffee, writing checks, watching television, and even getting dressed can become seemingly impossible activities.

As our vision declines, we have basically two options. We can either allow ourselves to become handicapped, or we can find ways to deal with the inevitable problems and live quality lives.

Most people experience an emotional reaction when they are first told that they have an incurable retinal disease. Many react in disbelief, shock, or anger.Others may experience sadness or a sense of loss.Some may think, “Okay, I've got something that is going to make my life more difficult, but it's not going to kill me, or cause me physical pain, so I'll just learn to deal with it.”

Most of us eventually reach that point, but usually not until we have paid an emotional price.We find, however, that as we begin to adapt, learn about our condition, and share our experiences and feelings with others, our strongest emotions will lessen.

Hopefully, those emotions will evolve into a strong determination to not let visual impairment get the best of us, or worse, beat us. That kind of tenacity is our best defense.

The letters T.A.S.K. stand for the four elements of success for a visually-impaired person.

Tenacity: the determination to explore new directions. We can maintain our quality of life if we are persistent in our search for the tools and resources needed to overcome obstacleseven when we're told that nothing can be done.

Adaptability: our willingness to change our way of doing things. We had no choice when it came to losing our vision, but we do have choices when it comes to how we are going to live with it

Support: from which comes “copability.”Family members, friends, and organizations can provide the understanding and assistance we need to cope with low vision.

Knowledge: our most effective defense against the onslaught of vision loss. Knowledge puts a face on the enemy and a powerful weapon in our hands.

Tenacity, Adaptability, Support, and Knowledge:the T.A.S.K. force for living successfully with central vision loss.