SupportSight

Coping With Macular Degeneration

Remarks by Tom
MVRF SupportSight Meeting in Austin, TX
March 13, 2004

Today we have so much to be thankful for. I thank Karen and Herbert Lotman for founding the Macula Vision Research Foundation. I thank Lea Bramnick, Executive Director for the many hours of dedicated service to share hope with each of us in this Public Health issue. I also thank Dr. Jack Pierce, Mary Betty Roeder and Austin Retina Associates for their concern for hope.

I am one of 15 million people with Macular Degeneration. I learned about Macular Degeneration after I got it. Before Macular Degeneration I had experienced astigmatism, bifocals, trifocals, vertigo and cancer.

I am blessed. I have MD in only one eye. I am thankful to know that so many people are working to find relief for us.

For over two years I have been learning to cope with MD. I am a slow learner. My learning involves broken toes, extra steps, no steps, how to go down an escalator, how to pour coffee in a cup without spills, trying to see a full picture, and learning to deal with depth perception. The sun seeks you out in restaurants, at home, in the car, when you are walking, in the morning, afternoon and evening east and west.

I am thankful for what MD is teaching me:

I have a choice. I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.

Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away just for this time in my life.

Old age is like a bank account -- you withdraw from what you have put in -- I am still depositing in mine. So my advice to you is DEPOSIT A LOT OF HAPPINESS in your bank account of memories. Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank.

Remember, there are at least 5 simple rules to be happy. Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Love simply. Give more. Require and expect less.