I spent last week focusing on my daily life and all the things I can do and enjoy. And it turns out that it’s almost everything I could do when I had “normal eyesight.” It made me realize something powerful: that despite my low vision and the occasional challenges it poses, it doesn’t keep me from enjoying life. It also drove home something else for me: that I depend a great deal on my eyesight and that it’s worth continuing to do everything in my power to save what I have.
A Few Highlights from My Week:
- Daily morning walk and hemp mocha with John
- Shopping with my daughters
- Enjoying a glass of wine with neighbors
- Sitting on our deck soaking up the sunshine
- Tea and conversation with a good friend
- Working out at gym
- Delivering a keynote address to students at a Youth Challenge Awards ceremony
- Jury Duty (okay – not my favorite thing to do…but I’ve been doing it)
- Irish nachos, IPA and movie night with John
- Cheering on a friend as she marched in Norwegian Independence Day Parade
- Hanging out at the Sunday Market with my family – listening to street musicians, sharing a bratwurst with my daughter and picking out our weekly $5 bouquet of fresh flowers
Okay – now it’s your turn to share your RP-free week and aha moments. Post them in comments with your name and where you live and I’ll do a compilation blog post on Friday. Wishing all of you an amazing week.
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I too can enjoy so much. Its been a long process grieving over all that I “cant do”..but there is still so much that I can do!!!
I am gratefull for every bit of vision that I have. I figure for the useable vision I have that I function pretty damn good.
My biggest joy this past year has been taking a yoga class. So good for physical and has helped me deal so much better with the “mental”.
I am ready to move on and enjoy my life more. As a matter of fact I am taking a spur of the moment trip to Italy. One of my good friends has moved there for 8 months and another good friend and I are going to visit her. I plan on seeing while I still have enough vision left to see. I am confident that I will manage fine with my two good friends and jokingly tell them that I am going to teach them to be good guide dogs. I will put some pictures up for the “View” ladies. It feels so good to have something to look forward to and feel like I am living again!!!!!
Marlene,
Have an amazing time in Italy. I was there with my family last summer. It’s such a cool country. I can’t wait to see your pictures.
Best,
Ingrid
Playing outside in the water with my 2 year old son
Watching the sunset
Morning walks
Reading my book with a cup of coffee
Thanks Ingrid! This was a great idea!
~Erin from Texas
What a great list. Thanks, Erin!
Ingrid, I don’t have RP but macular degeneration, but here’s my list: tea and good conversation with my sister,
Planting flowers in my garden, napping with my cats, writing a blog post for my city’s website, watching fav TV show (Dancing with the Stars) and a nature walk at local preserve. Thanks for the uplifting post!!
I love this. Thanks, Cindy:_
Oh…I forgot, I’m Cindy from Ohio!
Going to work everyday as à nurse
Taking public transportation.
Drinking my morning coffee with Marilyne the best collègue in the world.
Walking and going to the gym
Shopping with my husband and talking to him.
Seeing my kids.
Marie-Josée
Montréal, Canada
Thanks, Marie-Josee:) I got to say..nothing beats those morning coffees xo
Hi. I´m Rubén. I´m from Chile and this is my list:
1.- I like Walk with my wife and take her hand
2.- Go to the beach with my wife and my little dog and look at yhe sea.
3.- After work, I like to have tea wiht my wife in my bed.
4.- I like watching movies, especially my fauvorites. For example “Braveheart, Gladiator, etc” and old series as Lost, Dr. House.
5.- I like cooking, any things, fish, meat, pasta mmmmm I´m hungry.
You know, Thank you Ingrid. because to be doing this list, I can see there are many things I do every day and I enjoy that-
Thanks, Ruben!!!
I’m so glad you had such a wonderful time focusing on the positive and just enjoying every moment – and that you realized that you can still do these things. It’s also so inspiring to read what everyone had to say in the comments. Thanks for making me stop to think about the little – and big – pleasures in life.