Client Stories
The stories our clients share are a great way to show the impact our donors have on their lives. They are also a glimpse into the type of training Second Sense staff can provide. Here are a few client stories we have shared recently.
Chris’ Story
Learning to live with vision loss is a journey. Chris started working with Second Sense one year ago. This is how he described the beginning of his journey. When he was just starting out.
“I lost my vision in September of 2022. I literally went to pieces. Everything was in darkness and every step was in fear. “I stayed in my room. Life had no meaning. I closed myself off. I thought this is how it will be for the rest of my life.”
“Even I can’t imagine how much my life has changed from one year ago,” Chris shared. “It really is hard, adjusting to this new life. I not only had to learn how to overcome the darkness, I had to learn HOW to learn.”
Most people, 65%, are visual learners. Our clients have to learn how to transition to learning by listening and doing.
“I have gained confidence, but it is really the skills I have learned that I have become comfortable with. I just have to stop and think about what I learned and use my senses.”
Chris learned how to work safely in his kitchen — cutting with a knife, cooking on his stove top, and using the oven. As a trained chef, this is both a useful daily skill and a passion. “I cook for myself all the time. As long as you have your pattern of where things are, you can stay organized. I am more self-confident, and I enjoy it more.”
Debbie’s Story
“I was kind of apprehensive about the whole cane situation,” Debbie shared. “I knew nothing about mobility training and just purchased a cane off Amazon.”
Mandi, our Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, went out to Debbie’s house for training. Mobility training is very effective when the clients can learn and practice on routes they will actually use.
“Mandi came to my house and assessed me. She then explained the cane in detail. I had no idea there were different sizes and different tips. I thought it was just a ‘blind cane.’ I thought you just got one and started tapping.”
This is a common misconception. Orientation and mobility is a complex set of skills that allow people who are blind or visually impaired to travel safely and efficiently around their homes, their neighborhoods and, ideally, into unfamiliar areas.
“We started working in the house. I had just gone to a party and had trouble going up and down the stairs alone. Mandi taught me the techniques for stairs — one for going up and one for going down.
“While I was learning them, I was kind of skeptical. But, I trust Mandi so I used them for several days. And they worked — especially when I was going down stairs. I texted Mandi, ‘This is the coolest thing. I literally use the down the stairs technique every day!’”
Maggie’s Story
Maggie and her husband are expecting their first child. Like all new moms, Maggie is excited and full of plans for their baby.
But most expectant moms are not blind.
Together, Maggie and Cody–a certified vision rehabilitation therapist at Second Sense–are learning how to adapt mainstream services, technology and products to fit Maggie’s needs.
This includes lots of repetition assembling and disassembling play pens, strollers and baby bottles. After some practice Maggie feels comfortable doing this on her own and showing her husband how to do it.
“I can now turn around and show my husband how to do this. I feel like I still have that independent role. I don’t have to feel that my husband has to do everything. That I have to be dependent upon him.”
Mariama’s Story
Mariama was very reluctant to use a white cane at all. This is very common. Using a white cane draws attention. Many first-time users are concerned about unwanted looks of pity and being targeted as victims.
But, attention can also be useful. It can ensure drivers realize you can’t see their car and help people understand why you may be asking where the door to a certain store is located.
Most importantly, a white cane is a tool of independence. It is a key tool in allowing people with vision loss to travel safely.
That desire for independence was the driving force behind Mariama reaching out for orientation and mobility training at Second Sense. Mariama was encouraged to ease into using the cane at her own pace, even if it meant just carrying the cane in her purse for a period of time. Now, after nine hours of instruction, Mariama is using her cane to do all sorts of things independently. Most recently she was taught the route from her apartment complex to the gym and is now able to use the gym whenever she wants.
Mariama told us, “At the beginning I didn’t feel like I could do it, but the instruction really boosted my confidence!” She now sees all the benefits of using the white cane and isn’t shy about using it out and about. Mariama is working on street crossings – both with a stop sign and a traffic light. Her next goal will be creating a local route in her neighborhood in order to travel to destinations along busier roads. It is often safer to travel on less busy side streets than major roads. Not only is there less traffic, there is less noise to interfere with the independent traveler using sounds as part of her orientation tools.
Mariama “is making amazing strides.”
Keum Bok’s Story
Keum Bok reached out to Second Sense requesting some help with daily living skills — cooking, labeling and human guide.
Cody, one of our Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists, spent the most time working with Keum Bok on kitchen safety. She often cooked with a wok and was burning her forearms.
“One of the tips Cody provided was to wear protective long gloves while cooking,” Keum Bok said. “This has really helped. During our lessons, he also suggested I try to hold my arms higher up when cooking.”
Keum Bok learned to travel with a guide, her daughter YeSol. After mastering this method, Keum Bok requested mobility training to teach her how to avoid obstacles without having to look at the ground all the time. She also wanted to feel safer crossing streets.
“Before training, I didn’t have any specific places I wanted to go, Keum Bok said. “Once the training started, I could see the value in walking around my neighborhood and crossing streets.”
Mandi, our mobility instructor, taught Keum Bok basic cane skills. They then focused on street crossings — starting with rural, moving on to stop sign crossings and finishing with complex, 6-lane, lighted intersections.
“The training has opened my eyes about the ways I need to be more careful when crossing streets.
“I wasn’t paying attention to sounds. And now I understand how important and useful a skill this is to have.
“I now feel that I am able to navigate crossing streets more safely.”
Laura’s Story
Laura has two children. Like any mother, she wants to make sure they get to school safely.
But, her vision loss made walking unsafe for her and her children.
Laura started working with Rachael, one of our mobility instructors.
“In the beginning, it was really hard, “ Laura said. “It was just panic — feeling unsafe. But now, after lots of practice, I learned how to use the cane. Now I feel comfortable and safe.”
Christopher’s Story
Christopher. He is one of the lucky ones.
He is alive. Christopher was shot in the head. Twice.
He was leaving his office when an unknown assailant in an unknown vehicle opened fire.
With a lot of hard work, Christopher regained most of his brain functions. But, one of the bullets exited out of his eye.
While he lost his vision, he most certainly has not lost his purpose, his positive outlook or his faith.