Patience and compassion are key when it comes to weathering a storm together.
That害羞草研究所檚 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.
害羞草研究所淚 think the hardest part was that it happened so suddenly. We害羞草研究所檙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,害羞草研究所� Pauline said.
At first, it felt like they went through all the stages of grief, Pauline explained.
害羞草研究所淎t one point, we were told that Jim害羞草研究所檚 vision would not be restored害羞草研究所ut we kept saying to our ophthalmologist, 害羞草研究所楴o, we害羞草研究所檙e not going to believe this.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淎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.
害羞草研究所淎nd that害羞草研究所檚 where we are now.害羞草研究所�
Jim said it was difficult and isolating in the beginning. Despite the diagnosis that he won害羞草研究所檛 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.
害羞草研究所淎s a husband and a father, you害羞草研究所檙e always wanting to do things. You害羞草研究所檝e got the driving, you害羞草研究所檝e got to take care of your family, you害羞草研究所檝e got all that and that害羞草研究所檚 taken away from you in an instant,害羞草研究所� he said.
害羞草研究所淏ut once you realize this is your reality, you start to ask, 害羞草研究所榃hat can I do and how can I do it?害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淏ecause everything can be done. Everything I did before, I can still do now.害羞草研究所�
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害羞草研究所檛 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害羞草研究所檚 his wife.
害羞草研究所淛im chose not to have a seeing-eye dog. And we always joke that I害羞草研究所檓 his guide dog. He害羞草研究所檚 still very independent, so we try and cook together, but he can still help with preparation,害羞草研究所� Pauline said.
Whenever they害羞草研究所檙e in a crowded or unfamiliar place, Pauline helps Jim navigate.
As avid cyclists before Jim害羞草研究所檚 vision loss, the couple didn害羞草研究所檛 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.
害羞草研究所淲e have always been a team. We worked together, travelled together, and we害羞草研究所檙e still a team,害羞草研究所� she added.
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