Determined to See

A Shift in Mindset

Written By: ingridricks - Feb• 22•14

Skiiing with the girls

Last year at around this time, I was holed up in a hotel room—sobbing over my latest doomed prognosis from a retinal specialist while my husband and two daughters bonded on the ski slopes.

This was our third family ski trip and like the others before it, I chose to sit it out, telling myself there was no way I could ski with only a few degrees of central vision and a strip of blurry vision in my outer periphery. I had only skied three or four times in my life and hadn’t been great at it when I had a panoramic view of the slopes. So how could I possibly think of doing it now?

Maybe it’s because my yearlong quest to save my eyesight has empowered me and made me realize that there is plenty I can do to save my remaining vision. Or maybe it’s just because I’m tired of missing out on family activities. Whatever it is, something clicked inside of me recently and I’ve decided I’m done letting my eyesight hold me back. Two days ago, I put on the winter gear, strapped on the downhill skis and hit the mountain. It was an admittedly rocky start—but not because of my eyesight.  I just couldn’t remember how to ski. Luckily my husband was patient and two days in, I’m now traversing my way down the slopes with the rest of them. It doesn’t matter that they’re faster. I’m doing it and we’re all having fun. My daughters both told me that watching me ski made them forget that I even have a vision problem.

The burger and beer in the lodge after a few hours on the mountain haven’t sucked either. Amazing what a change in mindset can do.

 

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12 Comments

  1. Steph Durden says:

    If only there was an “amen” button on my laptop, I would be wearing it out reading this post. Keep taking on those mountains, dear Ingrid.

  2. Cindy Adkins says:

    Yay, Ingrid!! Good for you! You’re such inspiration. Big Hugs, Cindy

  3. tania says:

    I had the same thoughts this morning. just started reading your blog a couple weeks ago.I like your attitude. It’s a tough journey…this.

  4. Robin says:

    Way to go Ingrid!! You over came the MOUNTAIN. 🙂
    Robin
    Inprired Fan

  5. Jana Cauldwell says:

    You are inspiring me, Ingrid and giving me lots of hope. I refuse to let RP stop me from doing things and if anything it provides my teenage daughter with some good laughs when I do walk into things/not see things etc – we both have good laughs, it’s the only way to deal with it:)
    Keep at it.
    Love Jana (a South African inspired by your thoughts!)

    • ingridricks says:

      Thanks, Jana! Yeah…we just have to embrace life the fullest and not let RP define who we are ..or what we can or can’t do.

      Best,
      Ingrid

  6. Alysa S. says:

    How wonderful and inspiring! I hope you continue to live life to the fullest and to enjoy yourself! All the best, and, may I add, you go, girl!

  7. Keane H says:

    Great to hear Ingrid – I have been diagnosed with RP from a young age but recently it has mentally gotten to me and I found it real struggle. It is great to see people taking on the challenge of RP so positively. I have decided not to let fear grip me and to keep challenging myself to do the things I want to. You are a real inspiration.

    • ingridricks says:

      Thanks for your note, Keane. it is easy to let it mess with our heads. But it’s empowering to realize that mindset plays such a big part of it all.

      Hang in there! – Ingrid

  8. Ruben Villa says:

    What do you think about goji berries?

    • ingridricks says:

      I’ve tried them a couple of times but not consistently. But I have a friend who drinks the juice daily and loves it (not for RP but for overall energy). Do you take it? What are your thoughts?

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