Really? Now what am I supposed to do…
I am a typical, 50 something married, professional woman and my life’s desire has been to be a gypsy, traveling the world, taking in all its great wonders and treasures. The food, the landscape, the history, the animals, but, mostly the people. What do they love and hold dear that is different and the same as I do, their passions and experiences- culture and diversity. That was/is the plan- to travel extensively when I retire. Planes, trains and automobiles were in the near future. Every day a new adventure is the dream. I am so close to retirement, I can taste it. I could now, but, I don’t think it would be the most responsible thing to do.
I went to the eye doctor in October 2018 hoping to get new glasses before I went to Australia so I could see all the cool animals (and street signs) and treasures in that beautiful country. I came out with the diagnosis of Macular Degeneration . I had heard of it, I have an elderly friend that was diagnosed a couple years ago, but really had no idea other than- it affects your vision.
The Doc’s statement was you will slowly lose your vision in 5 to 10 to 15 years. Really? That throws a huge wrench into my future plans. Now what…. The first couple weeks I went down so many Rabbit holes I can’t count that high- especially since I was a Sociology major.
5-15 years? He later revised that to say 2 years if it progresses as much as it has in the past year. Well now, I am a planner- or as my kids would say a control freak, so how the Hell do you plan for that? Do I retire now? What happens when I am blind and…. Fill in the blank.
How am I going to travel and “see” the world- My dreams seemed to be dashed in the span of 30 minutes. That being typed- I have been known throughout my life for my thinking out of the box, curiosity, determination and tenacity
So, We shall see- or not see what happens from here on out. The following are my tales of my journey to blindness.
Janice Ekholt
A Traveler's Journey to Blindness 