Pocono News Section

Loss of Vision Doesn't Mean Loss of Life

Loss of Vision Doesn't Mean Loss of Life - Monday, November 2, 2009 at 4:15PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Monday, Nov 2, 2009 @ 04:15pm EST
STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY - As the US Population ages many people are losing their vision. Many people who are losing vision say you don't have to let it get you down.

Kathi Jennings of East Stroudsburg has 20/400 vision. You could run into her at Shoprite where she works as a grocery bagger. You probably wouldn't notice anything unusual about her unless you saw her put her face right up to the time clock to punch in or if you saw her leave with her white cane. She said, "The cane to me is confidence."

Kathi wasn't always so confident. She has Ocular Toxo-Plasmosis. It's an eye problem that causes vision loss. She started to lose her vision in the early 80s. She said, "I really used to have pity parties. It was rough."

Her vision grew worse and worse until she had to give up her driver's license. That day she thought she gave up her freedom. She sighed, "It was so hard. So hard."

Kathi isolated herself at home for years but then a friend introduced her to a group that helps people with visual impairment. She said, "I no longer wanted to be sitting at home moping."

She learned how to use the cane and be independent. She exclaimed, "It was fabulous - fabulous!"

Kathi learned she could do many of the things she thought she couldn't. She now works, runs her own errands, reads and even crochets. She said, "I thought I'd have to give that up - but I don't."

Now Kathi wants others to learn vision problems may change your life but they don't take your life. She explained, "You can get out and do things that you used to do with the aids of assistive devices. Modern technology is fabulous today."

You can learn about some of the things that changed Kathi's life Friday. There's a Low Vision Expo at the Chateau Resort in Tannersville from 1-5. There will be a panel of experts who specialize in low vision devices and treatments. There will also be free vision screenings and product demonstrations.