Vision

Our greatest sense, our vision, allows us to encompass the world. We view the most beautiful gifts of the earth reveling in the candy apple reds, violets and blues. In fact, vision is the most powerful form of communication. The simple gesture of a smile is uplifting and powerful. However, what then arouses or puts a smile on a blind or visually handicapped person?

Born in 1929, the year of the big market crash, in the "Big Apple", (NYC) Margaret Terry Cantrell suffered a visual impairment as a result of her mother's illness. Her condition progressed until she was declared legally blind in 1972, leaving her left eye completely blind.

As a young woman, Margaret's vision was adequate enough to allow her to hold a job at Gimbals as a Saleswoman. There, she developed a love for working with the public. She moved to Connecticut at the age of 19 and began her journey with motherhood. Although some of Margaret's dreams were taken away, she got married and is the mother of six children and seven grandchildren. Along the way she manages to project a sense of worthiness, happiness and strength to her family and anyone she meets. She does this through acts of kindness, determination to be as independent as possible, and through her passion for people. Everyone agrees she is a great listener. She has a wonderful circle of true friends. What didn't I see growing up that comes easily now?

I hate to admit it but I almost thought I was the one with the handicap. My mom could not drive me to dance lessons or over to a friends or take me to the mall without assistance. Sometimes I didn't have the patience to always help her out when she needed me. She sometimes misjudged a face at the front door until words were spoken. As with most teens, I didn't see my mother's true colors or appreciate her wisdom and courage. I was not giving of unconditional love that every mother gives with.

Margaret was the vice president of the Blind Association in her area. The association, founded in 1913, by Roberta Griffith, has three missions: to assist visually impaired persons, to educate the general public, and promote the prevention of blindness. There, she met many great friends. Together, they find humor in the day to days.. Sharing comical stories of moments of "almost disasters" (Mr. Magoo-like) and also sharing strength for moments of despair. Her closest confidant "Lizie," who has endured her impairment much longer than my mother, knows more about community services and social events than most.

Turning "thirty something" has set a light bulb off. Even with our sense of sight, we can be blind to many things. We can ignore the person in need; we can look away from community services; we can lose our patience with someone less fortunate than us; we can forget to stop and look at the rainbow colors of our gardens and the color of our heart; we can lose sight of our own beauty.

I was reminded of true beauty as I watched a television show with my mother. As one her favorite actresses appeared on the screen she commented: " Isn't she beautiful?" How does she know if that woman is beautiful or not? I thought. Then I realized, it didn't matter. "Yes mom, she is, I answered."

I was reminded that "Vision" has many meanings within our own life's vicissitudes. Sometimes it is good to close our eyes and use our other senses to determine beauty and create visions.

Making SENSE out of it

As we age our senses can be depleted. For my mother, her eyesight decreased slowly as the years went by robbing her most coveted sense. She admits she should have paid more attention to the signs of her diminishing sight. Instead, busy with children and family matters, she may have waiting to long in-between eye exams and procedures.

Among others, there are two common visual impairments; age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), and cataracts.

According to the National Eye Institute, animal and observational epidemiologic studies suggest that deficiencies in vitamins C and E, carotenoids and the trace elements zinc and selenium may be associated with the development of the two diseases, especially cataracts. The carotenoid lutein, which is abundant in dark green and orange fruits and vegetables, is especially well known for promoting eye health.

Regular exams and good nutrition makes perfect sense.

Organizational Information

As selfishness and complaint pervert and cloud the mind, so love with its joy clears and sharpens the vision. Helen Keller 1927

Keller, Helen Adams (1880-1968), American author and lecturer, who, having overcome considerable physical handicaps, served as an inspiration for other afflicted people.

Helen Keller was thrown into darkness at the age of two from a high fever. Without sight and sound she began to explore the world with her other senses. Through extreme determination she triumphed and became a socialist, lecturer, and assisted the "Association of the Blind" to better their services.

After her death in 1968 an organization was set up in her name to combat blindness in the developing world. Today that agency, Helen Keller International in NYC, is one of the biggest organizations working with blind people overseas.

You don't have to be totally blind to be eligible for assistance: The Blind Association, started by Roberta Griffith and 18 women volunteers, provides services for visually handicapped persons on a national basis. Qualified applicants may receive items such as a tape recorder, talking watch, magnifying glass, cane and others.

Roberta Griffith, founder of the agency, was posthumously inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame.

Listening books are available through the National Library for the blind and physically handicapped. Most states have their own regional library and resources are circulated to eligible borrowers by postage free mail through a network of libraries. My mother reads (listens) to at least four books each week. This has increased her quality of life in so many ways. I cannot keep up with all her book reviews! For information on cassette books in the Michigan area you may call telephone number: (517) 373-5614, or contact the library at P.O. Box 30007, Lansing, MI. 48909.

When someone is handicapped they are not to be judged or underestimated in any way, instead let him or her travel their own path independently. Cfritea 2001

If we do something today to brighten a moment for someone less fortunate, we are fulfilling our tomorrows. Cfritea 2001

© 2001
Cathy Fritea, Author
Tiny Hands Change the World

• Am I a Mother?
• Follow your Dreams
• Vision
• Heart of the Matter
• Tea and Sisterhood
• Chiropractic Care at Ground Zero