Second Act: Coming to Terms with Vision Loss

A friend had a procedure that cleared a film from her new lens implant from cataract surgery. Wow! What if that would work for me? I made an appointment with my cataract ophthalmologist and low vision optometrist. Kirk and I approach these appointments with caution. They are stressful. At least, they don’t physically hurt as the diagnostic tests did twenty years ago. The result of the exam was that this procedure would not help me. It was disappointing. For a short time, I thought I might be able to see some of these Fall colors or see our sons’ eyes or the horizon as we drive; but, that’s not to be. So, Kirk treated me to my favorite comfort food: enchiladas!
I took the evening to mourn. I took a nice warm shower and went to bed early listening to my newest poetry book, which is A Poet’s Corner compiled by John Lithgow with great actors reading the poens.
Kirk and I have been down this road before, and it’s a deadend. We know there’s great quality of life with a guide dog, a Second Act..
Brego has brought such anew dimension of skills and possibilities to my life. Having a wonderfully supportive family and extraordinary friends has made the transition to new ways of doing things much easier. So, to those of you experiencing changes that are forced in your life, you can have a Second Act, too!
Voices and sounds, textures of leaves and tree bark, wind direction and sunshine on my legs and reading books in audible format make the transition possible to an enriched life. I do find I rely on my memory more and more, and like a skill, it’s become better. Plus, I listen more carefully.
Friends extend their elbows or offer rides. They guide my hand to the top of a chair to help me find where to sit. They quietly lead my hand to something I can’t find, so I can do this for myself the next time. They call out, “Salad at 8 o’clock on your plate, and broccoli at 2 o’clock,” in an undertone. These are small examples of adapting to vision loss. Vision loss isn’t that bad; it has benefits.

Brego Funnies

This has been a really good guide dog week. We are perfecting some routes in crowds, and I find it thrilling when Brego and I can find our way through a happy crowd to my destination. This past Sunday, we threaded our way through our church halls from class to Sanctuary and outside.. The first few times, we had escorts, and gradually, we are finding our own way, even without running over people! After rigorous routes in the woods or at events, we enter our home. I take off his harness and leash. Brego shoots around the house like a cartoon character, richocheting off the sofa and chairs, then spins around, finds his favorite toy of a knotted Tshirt, takes a big sigh, and falls asleep. When he wakes, he takes his knotted Tshirt and prances around, weaving himself in and out of our legs, hipp bumping us, and wagging his tail. He has a sense of humor and seems happy. Friday nights, we leave him home for “Date night.” After I return, he stays close to me, often curling at my feet when I’m on the phone. I’ll move from living room to den, and he’ll follow me and curl by my feet or snooze a few feet away. Kirk says if I move, he opens an eye to keep me in view. Good dog!

Brego Conquers A Corn Maze

Brego was “Ear-resistible” in the Corn Maze at Clemson Sandhills. I could hear the rattling of the brown corn stalks. Connie guided my hand to the ears of corn. Brego led us in and had to make decisions about where to go. He was excited! We reached a fork in the rows where choices had to be made. We turned around a couple of times. I could feel him thinking about the challenge ahead. I could also sense he might have been a little stressed. We were only in there 15 minutes. The next stop was a hay bale maze with more definitive choices. We scooted through there. He’s a great dog; smart, funny, poised. He took a good nap when we returned home.
Sunday, at Round Top Elementary’s Fun-Raiser for Southeastern Guide dogs, we walked the walking trail, but skipped the obstacle course and costume contest. My friends say, “Brego has a sense of style.” He owns a bow tie and formal vest, but I usually feel he’s overdressed when he wears it. His regal bearing and harness is enough. In our upcoming family wedding, he may sport a boutinere’.

Ann C. Humphries

Round Top Elementary To Sponsor a Guide Dog Puppy

Let’s give a shout-out to Round Top Elementary RTE Columbia, SC who will work this year to raise $3500 to sponsor a guide dog puppy.
Southeastern Guide Dogs partners with great groups like RTE to provide highly bred and trained guide dogs at no cost to human partners. Will S, third grader, says, “This is a great opportunity for our students. One of our teachers adopted Lady, a guide dog from Southeastern whose owner died. Lady is a therapy dog now for our school.” Note: This is the Will S who reads to me during the summer.) SEGD has an adoption program for dogs like Lady. You can inquire via http://www.guidedogs.org.
RTE will sponsor a dog walk with optional obstacle course with $10 entry fee, and have a photo wall of favorite pet pics. To post a picture is only $1 donation. I asked Will if I could enter pictures of Brego, and he said, “Sure, and I have $2 at home, so I’ll pay for a picture of you and Brego and one of my dog and me.” This is the beauty of spirit I’m able to experience with a guide dog.
schools and clubs have had corn toss and golf tournaments, Dining in the Dark meals, talent shows, sold handwarmers and dog treats. Others have allowed employes to wear bluejeans or hats to work for $1. Our church, http://www.svpc.org, sold American flags for Veteran’s Day last year to benefit Paws for Patriots. We plan to do that in 2013 for Memorial Day and July 4. Do you have good ideas for FUNdraisers? Post your ideas! If you think you or your group would like to sponsor a guide dog pup, let me know. We’ll come make a presentation with you.
Ann C. Humphries
New blog: http://www.adventureswithBrego.wordpress.com