[Blindtlk] Encouraging Medical Students To Be Retina Doctors

Tue Feb 21 14:34:56 UTC 2012

I think we all think, once in a while, what we would have done if circumstances were different. For me, I do not think I would have had the opportunities I have had were I not blind. My family was lower income, mill workers, loggers and waitresses. Where I not blind, I too would have probably been in that kind of employment. 

Now to the physiological and psychological end of the "what if", if you haven't done so, read Mike Maye's book, Crashing Through. He discusses not only what it was like to get some vision back using electronic means, but as importantly, how it was useful and how it wasn't. His experience is much like those who have Cortical Visual Impairment.

Finally, on limitations. Some are real. We can't drive. I can pay people to do that, either in money, or in services that I can render to them. It's like shoveling snow. I could and have done it myself. I am pleased that I have other alternatives. Some limitations are imaginary. You can fill in your own favorite.

Just imagine how difficult it would be to be saddled with enormous wealth! I would like to try out that problem for a while.

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Michelle Medina
Sent: Monday, February 20, 2012 8:56 PM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Encouraging Medical Students To Be Retina Doctors

Johanna,
First off, allow me to say that I was born without eyes and therefore have never had eyesight. However, if you will accept my word for what it's worth, the story goes that you 'can't miss what you do not have'.
I'd venture to say at least partially that this is a falsehood.

I live in a rural area and am unable to drive a car. Most people
think: "So what. You can't drive a car, big deal."
What they think and sometimes say is NOT how I feel. I feel like it's a huge deal. There is no transportation *no buses and noone available to drive me somewhere to catch a bus* even that isn't the route of it though.

My best friend is also legally blind though she does have some sight.
We used to sit in what would have been her car on her sixteenth birthday if she would have been able to get her license and crank the stereo in the dead of summer with the windows down just to imagine the feeling of freedom, the roadtrips we would take, the growing up we would have done over the course of a spring break or a summer spent roadtripping around the country.
Ovbiously, as blind individuals we can still do this, however, to me it is the 'absolute freedom' of getting up and leaving exactly when I Desire to versus waiting for someone else. It is the 'absolute freedom' of walking into my parents room and saying: "I'm going to visit Elias now, I'll be back in a couple of hours!" versus waiting for one of them to drop me off. It's getting out of the car and walking into Walmart and reading the labels on food products and picking out what I believe to be the healthiest choice versus going in with a companion whose in a hurry, or waiting at the customer service desk for an hour and 15 minutes. *Note: our Walmart doesn't have shoppers as I said I'm in a rural place, and I like alot of people live off of SSI so don't have the money to buy a label reader*

Ultimately though, it isn't about money anyway, or even convenience, though I would find these things convenient, who wouldn't? Smile.

It really boils down to the feeling I got the first time I tied my shoes or the first time I rode a horse by myself or the first time I Brailled up something without needing any help. It's that "I can do this!!!" feeling that I get. That feeling of as I said before, absolute freedom and excitement that I didn't rely on anyone, I did it myself!! And I'm sooooo proud of myself for doing whatever thing it might be, ON MY OWN! There's nothing like that feeling. You can't buy it or have it given to you or find it in a food or pill or even another person. You can only find it within yourself.
And if I had my eyesight and could experience the glory of a sunset/rise, or of looking into someone's eyes and seeing through to the depths of their soul, or laying eyes on my baby daughter for the first time, or the person who would become my romantic partner I can only imagine the exhilaration and excitement and utter pleasure it would bring me.
Michelle

On 2/20/12, Johanna Baccan <24kjo at optonline.net> wrote:
> To All:
>
> I was asked by Dr. Steven  Sang one of the top Retina Doctors at 
> Columbia Presbyterian  Hospital in New York City, new York  to speak 
> to Columbia University Medical Students.  He wants me to encourage them to become Retina
> Doctors and Retina Researchers.     I am a 54 year old woman and have a
> unusual form of Stargardt's Disease and have been visually impaired 
> for 34 years.  I know that we all have mastered some if not all the 
> Techniques of Blindness.  But my talk is going to be on what it would 
> mean to regain my vision and what I have missed out on for 34 years.  
> I would like to hear from all of you to let me know what it would mean 
> to you to have or regain your vision.  What struggles have you had.  
> There has been a declined in Medical Students to become Retina Doctors and Researchers in this country.
> As a whole the Blind Community seems to function in a way that people 
> don't realize how difficult it really is.  So instead of talking how I 
> mastered the Techniques of Blindness I have to talk about the reality of vision loss.
> These students are exposed to other patients with diseases that are 
> much more visible and pronounced then our vision loss.  At times my 
> particular eye disease has been called a Hidden handicap.  Because to 
> look at me even though I use a cane I do not look visually impaired at 
> all.  Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Johanna Baccan
>
>
>
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--
Sometimes it takes darkness and the sweet confinement of your aloneness to learn anything or anyone that does not bring you alive is too small for you.
~ David Whyte ~ (House of Belonging)

Sadie Marie Medina!
Original birthdate unnone.
First birthday with us: 2/15/2009
Welcome home baby!

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