When We Opened Our Eyes
What a Saturday morning low-vision class taught me about the people across the dispensing table.
Well, Here's the Thing…
I spent a weekend in October attending continuing education classes with my husband, Rob. He's an optician, too, so it's something we enjoy doing together. We like going to courses from different providers, and here in Florida, we're fortunate to have some wonderful education providers. I love supporting all of them. But one class that Saturday morning really stayed with me.
It was about low vision, and the instructor had us close our eyes and try doing ordinary things, including writing. Sounds simple enough, doesn't it? Well, try it. Things I normally wouldn't give a second thought to suddenly became difficult.
But what really stayed with me was the moment we opened our eyes. Rob and I looked at each other. Neither of us needed to say a word. I started thinking about everything I take for granted. Not just reading or finding my way around, but something as simple as looking across the room and seeing my husband's face. What would it be like if that became difficult? How much would I miss?
I've spent more than 40 years helping people see better, and I thought I had a pretty good understanding of what people with low vision experience. That morning reminded me how much I still have to learn. Of course, closing my eyes for a few minutes doesn't mean I understand what it's like to live with vision loss. But it made me think differently about the people sitting across from me at the dispensing table. It reminded me that the person across from me might be scared, or frustrated, or embarrassed to ask for help one more time.
The class also introduced us to technology and resources that can help. Not a vague suggestion to go look something up, but one specific place to send someone for help. One I wanted to share is Be My Eyes, an app that connects people who are blind or have low vision with sighted volunteers through video calls for assistance with everyday tasks.
I wish I had known about it when so many of my family were still around. Many of them suffered from macular degeneration and glaucoma, and this app would have made a difference for them. You can use it as a person with low vision, or as a volunteer. I am volunteering on it now.
I left with more than continuing education hours. I left with a different perspective and something useful I could share with the people I help. That is what good continuing education does. It does not just give you hours. It gives you something you can actually use for the person sitting in front of you.
I want to give credit where it belongs. That class was taught by Anthony Record, and he built it the right way. Not hours for the sake of hours, but a lesson that changes the way you take care of the next person who walks in.
The next time someone sits across from me struggling with their vision, I hope I'll remember that Saturday morning. Not because I suddenly understand everything they're experiencing. I certainly don't. But because I'll be reminded to listen a little more carefully and remember there's a whole lot more to someone's life than what I can measure through a pair of lenses.
Grab your coffee. Let's chat!
Cindy
