#67 Living Well with Low Vision by Prevent Blindness

https://lowvision.preventblindness.org/news/

If you want to be up to date on the newest research about macular degeneration, this is a good spot to begin. Here are the topics across the top of the first page:

• Info and News
• Clinical trials,
• Resources,
• Free Books
• Patient’s Writings
• About
• Contact
• Donate

Just to give you an idea of the kind of help available, I clicked on Resources. Under that I clicked on Self-Help resources and under that I clicked on How Cope-able Are You? You don’t have to have low vision to find this article useful and insightful. It’s all about identifying and improving our coping strengths and weaknesses. Here it is!

Give yourself one point if the comment describes you.

• You deal with problems one at a time, rather than letting them pile up.
• You compose lists of positives and negatives when a tough decision must be made
• You identify escape routes in case plans go awry.
• You practice techniques such as counting to ten or controlled breathing during times of stress.
• You let go of thoughts that really don’t matter.
• You use yesterday’s lessons to plan for tomorrow.
• You enjoy the present because you realize that it is always the present.
• You expect the best but prepare for the worst.
• You give yourself the gift of time.
• You never say what you think until you’ve thought.
• You don’t sweat the small stuff, but you work hard on the big stuff.
• You maintain a bit of knowledgeable cynicism.
• You believe that miracles can happen.
• You let your enthusiasm show.
• You look for hope in everything.
• You love and laugh a lot.
• You make no excuses.
• You lay no blame.
• You accept responsibility for your own actions.
• You look for possibilities inside yourself.
• You are your own best friend, cheerleader, and entertainment director.
• You get plenty of rejuvenating sleep.
• You eat and drink well.
• You exercise.
• You reward yourself for little successes.
• You forgive yourself for little failures.
• If you feel like your glass is half empty, you get a smaller glass.
• You think of strangers as your friends.
• You embrace change while respecting tradition.
• You laugh and cry enthusiastically because you know how healthy that can be.

Your cope-ability score:

30/30: You should think about starting a talk show. The world needs to learn from you.

22-29: You will be successful at this low vision thing. Congratulations!!

15-21: You will do fine if you can raise your score as soon as possible. Make that your most immediate goal.

8-14: You have some work to do. Start with the easiest to change, then build on those successes.

0-7: You are as delicate as an eggshell. If you cannot get your score up to at least 20, please consider talking to someone who can help you sort out your thoughts and the direction you want to take.