Macular Degeneration: The 7 Keys to Going from Loss of Sight to a Dynamite Life

by Nancy Shugart

It was 1965 when I lost most of my sight due to Macular Degeneration and Retinitis Pigmentosa. I was eight years old. In those days, many believed that a person with vision loss was destined to a life of helplessness and dependence.

However, I had parents who, in a loving way, assured me that they were not going to support me my whole life and so I better figure out a way to make a living. In the process of doing that, I discovered that it is truly possible to go from experiencing loss of sight to living a dynamite life!

First, I lived my dream as a public school teacher for 21-years, something many experts had said would be impossible for me to do because of my vision loss. Today I have a successful career as a businesswoman.

I credit all of my success to the 7 essential keys which I learned from my loving parents, dedicated teachers, and life's hard knocks.

1. Perception: How you perceive vision loss will determine how you will deal with it.
When I looked at my vision loss as a terrible thing, I was paralyzed with fear and hopelessness. But once I changed my perception, my whole world changed.

2. Passion: Forget about the word "impossible."
What is it that you love to do? Find a way to adapt to make it work for you.

3. Vision: It's not your eyesight, It's your vision which will determine your success in life.
Have a clear vision in your mind of what you want to accomplish. Put as much detail in your mind's picture as you can. Then take action.

4. Focus: Focus on where you are going, not on what you are leaving.
You still have an exciting life ahead of you. Vision loss is not going to change that. All vision loss will change is how you will accomplish some tasks.

5. Persist: When you run into a brick wall, don't sit down and throw rocks at it. Get busy and climb over that wall.

6. Curiosity: Keep learning. Seek answers to your questions. The answers are out there. You just have to find them.

7. Giving: The greatest gift you can give to your family and to your community is your strength and success. Vision loss has not changed who you are. It has only changed how you will do things.

I speak from personal experience. You can go from loss of sight to a dynamite life. It may not be easy in the beginning. But the road has been well-traveled by many people with low or no vision and so the journey has been made easier for the rest of us.

The trail has been blazed. So step out there and get moving!