New Friends....

Well.....things are going really well for the new support group I'm starting! So far I have a co-leader, a place to meet, & a time to meet! Yay! Now, we're waiting to find out if our county's transportation program will transport us. This is a very rural town w/ no public transportation....Unfortunately, visually impaired people cannot drive. I've spoken with 10 people over the phone about the group. Everyone is so excited! I'm so excited too! I have lots of awesome friends, an awesome hubby, & the best family in the world! I'm so blessed! But, something's been missing for years now.... People who really 'get it'!

OK, so what does that mean, Rach? Well, that means people who walk in my shoes. The struggle I face is different than what sighted people face. Yes, we all struggle, that is true. But, I struggle with the same stuff sighted people do & on top of that struggle with sight loss! I have one child with the same heart condition I have & will eventually need open-heart surgery (the same surgery I've had). Two of my kids have asthma. Asthma is sometimes frightening. In high school, I knew a girl who died during an asthma attack.... We go through periods where our nebulizer (machine used for breathing treatments) is going nearly constantly. My father-in-law died last year from lung cancer ...it was so hard to watch him, my mother-in-law, my hubby, his sisters, & my kids suffer thru it....& I was so sad too! We have family problems, I've had my share of misunderstandings w/ others, my husband works a lot! The list could go on & on....just as your list could go on & on! Life is hard! But, on top of all the 'usual' struggles is the all day, in your face struggle of low-vision.

I'm not complaining....Let me be quick to say! I'm so thankful that most of you have no idea what it's like to be handicapped. I'm very glad that my family & most of my friends have been spared from such pain.....it's something I'd wish on no one! But, the something's missing is gone! I now have ladies I can talk to who really know what I deal with! My hope & prayer is, that as we all get to know each otter, I'll encourage my new friends the way they've encouraged me! Pray my friends, please pray.