John is back to enjoying many of his hobbies which include cooking from recipes he finds online.
John, a retired U.S. Army Major, recently received Lighthouse services. John’s service to the country included being an Infantry Company Commander in the Vietnam War and he commanded a Pershing missile parts depot and maintenance company in Germany.
John was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration almost 10 years ago which has resulted in deterioration of his central vision in one eye and no functional vision in the other. He is no longer able to read regular print, drive or see tv. Prior to Lighthouse training, he was depressed and lacked interest in doing many of his hobbies because of his vision impairment.
When John first came to the Lighthouse, he felt resistant. He felt there wasn’t anything he could learn that would make a difference in how he felt. John admits he was the worst student on the first day. Then John met Sylvia, the Lighthouse Executive Director and instructor for his Independent Living Skills Program. Initially John was taken aback—his instructor was visually impaired. But in no time, Sylvia persuaded John to take an interest in his classes and to trust her as she taught him ways to do things for himself. She taught John how to use his peripheral vision. Then she taught him how to use appliances, the stove and knives. She gave him personal grooming tips, such as squirting toothpaste in his mouth instead of on a toothbrush he isn’t able to see. He began to feel better and to try adaptive methods to accomplish tasks and hobbies he previously enjoyed. Sylvia also connected John with the Veterans Administration, which resulted in John acquiring assistive technology so he could independently read. When John completed Independent Living Skills training, he went on to learn how to use computers using access software, and he learned how to master VoiceOver on his iPhone.
At 78 years of age, John has a new outlook. He occupies his time with yard work and cooking, and an occasional golf game. He also enjoys using his computer with screen magnification and listening to audio books. With bright lights, magnification, finger guards, a liquid level indicator, newly developed skills and a renewed sense of confidence, he is cooking almost daily. John says his life has changed because he now accepts his vision loss.
John’s wife Shayla is also grateful for the services John received. She said, “Lighthouse has changed both our lives. As a caregiver, you look for ways to make life easier for your family. But if your family can’t see, you tend to do too much and take away their independence. With Lighthouse training, John can do things for himself, and he is back in the land of the living.”
Sylvia Stinson-Perez says John was wonderful to work with. “Once he realized loss of vision did not have to mean sitting in a chair all day, every day, for the rest of his life, he realized this was just one more challenge to get through, and he became a fighter. He fought for his independence and self-confidence, and he became a hero to all of us.