|
Home / More Stories ....
LIVING WITH STARGARDTS DISEASE
Morgan's Story
Hi everyone!
Where to start. I was diagnosed back in April of
1996, when I was 22 years old. It was an utter and complete
shock to me and my family. I was devistated to say the least.
At that time, my Doctor didn't know much about it but maybe
a paragraph of description to tell me. They told me I had
Fundus Flavimaculatus (which now I have learned is the small
yellowish speaks in the retina) they never said Stargardts to
me.
Time had passed, I ended up losing my job. I was still
able to drive, read, do pretty much what I always had done.
1999 was the hardest year thus far on my journey. That was
the year I had to renew my Drivers License, that never
happened. Like some of you said in your stories, it was the
hardest thing to have to give up. And still to this day, it is
extremely hard not being able to drive, having to depend on
others to take you everywhaere you ned to go. It's tough.
In
February of 2000, I moved from Southern Indiana to Florida
with my Fiance' (now my husband.) We married in May that
year. He gives me strength, he'ss a blesing from God.
Without him...ugh, I can't imagine. That summer, I saw a
Retina Specialist, Dr. Sunil Gupta in Pensacola, Fl. He ran a
couple tests, and poof...he knew exactly what my condition
was, unlike the previous doctors I saw. He also helped me
get on disability, which was never an option in the past. I
wanted to be able to work, so I decided to start a home
based business with PartyLite Gifts as an Independent
Consultant. That has been a fun way to earn a little extra
money from time to time.
My eyesight has worsened to the
point of not being able to read my bills, letters, email in small
font, you name it. Magnifiers give little help. I use computer
softwars that helps me get around on the internet as well as
programs that can read to me. Text A Loud, is a "copy and
paste" program that I use online to help me read long
articles, etc.. I also invested in The Video Eye system for
reading magazines, looking at photos, self grooming,
balancing my check book and the list goes on and on.
My life
will never be the same as it once was, but if things hadn't
turned out the way they did, I'm not sure that I would be the
person I am today. I am a strong, independent, confident and
very personable gal. I love my life, my family and wouldn't
change it for anything! I pray that there will be something
one day that will help us all enjoy the visual things in life that
others may sometimes take for granted. I, as well, pay
attention to colors of my family and friends clothing when
we're out, and I know my husbands walk, like another lady
spoke about in her story. We have to be aware of things like
this or we would be lost. To everyone, take care and god
bless!
Please email me anytime to talk, or just to say Hello.
Sincerely,
MorganLyn in New Jersey.
|