Patience and compassion are key when it comes to weathering a storm together.
That香蕉视频直播檚 according to Kelowna couple Pauline and Jim Marshall.
Over the years, Jim developed glaucoma, which he had been able to manage well. But then three years ago, he suddenly lost his vision while on a trip to California with his wife Pauline.
香蕉视频直播淚 think the hardest part was that it happened so suddenly. We香蕉视频直播檙e both avid cyclists and in January (2017), we were doing really well cycling. Then Jim developed a red-eye and by February, he could no longer drive,香蕉视频直播� Pauline said.
At first, it felt like they went through all the stages of grief, Pauline explained.
香蕉视频直播淎t one point, we were told that Jim香蕉视频直播檚 vision would not be restored香蕉视频直播ut we kept saying to our ophthalmologist, 香蕉视频直播楴o, we香蕉视频直播檙e not going to believe this.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播淎nd so we started a journey of hope and change and adapting and trying to figure out what our new norm was going to be.
香蕉视频直播淎nd that香蕉视频直播檚 where we are now.香蕉视频直播�
Jim said it was difficult and isolating in the beginning. Despite the diagnosis that he won香蕉视频直播檛 have any vision at all, he is still able to see.
He described his remaining vision as like looking through wax paper, and the world beyond it looking like shadows.
香蕉视频直播淎s a husband and a father, you香蕉视频直播檙e always wanting to do things. You香蕉视频直播檝e got the driving, you香蕉视频直播檝e got to take care of your family, you香蕉视频直播檝e got all that and that香蕉视频直播檚 taken away from you in an instant,香蕉视频直播� he said.
香蕉视频直播淏ut once you realize this is your reality, you start to ask, 香蕉视频直播榃hat can I do and how can I do it?香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播淏ecause everything can be done. Everything I did before, I can still do now.香蕉视频直播�
He may not be able to see the way he did before, but he can adapt and do the things he used to do but with a little more patience and help from Pauline.
Since he can香蕉视频直播檛 read things on the computer screen or his tablet anymore, he uses apps and functions that read items out loud to him.
He has a specialized magnifying glass with a light that helps him read printed items.
And then there香蕉视频直播檚 his wife.
香蕉视频直播淛im chose not to have a seeing-eye dog. And we always joke that I香蕉视频直播檓 his guide dog. He香蕉视频直播檚 still very independent, so we try and cook together, but he can still help with preparation,香蕉视频直播� Pauline said.
Whenever they香蕉视频直播檙e in a crowded or unfamiliar place, Pauline helps Jim navigate.
As avid cyclists before Jim香蕉视频直播檚 vision loss, the couple didn香蕉视频直播檛 want to also lose their sense of outdoor adventure, so they purchased a tandem bike.
Pauline steers and Jim is the muscle behind the pedal.
香蕉视频直播淲e have always been a team. We worked together, travelled together, and we香蕉视频直播檙e still a team,香蕉视频直播� she added.
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