Resilient, Whether I Like It or Not

April has been a struggle. Between issues with Bill and my own health, it's been one challenge after another.

First, I came down with a respiratory illness that kept me coughing for almost three weeks. Just as that was starting to clear up, I got conjunctivitis. Then a UTI. Once all of that finally began to heal, I still couldn't get my strength back — I was just tired all the time.

A talk with my primary care doctor uncovered the problem: she had lowered my thyroid medication based on recent bloodwork but hadn’t considered that I was also taking B12 supplements. I'd been on the same dose for twenty years! Once she realized, she promptly increased my thyroid meds back to my regular dose.

Slowly, my energy started returning. Feeling optimistic, I decided to go swimming yesterday. I did great in the pool — but when I got out, I slipped on the wet pavement and landed flat on my chest and ribcage, knocking the breath right out of me.

Luckily, a couple of UTMB resident doctors happened to be nearby. They rushed over, helped me up, and got me back to my apartment. They strongly suggested I head to the ER — and I did. Thankfully, no broken ribs, no lung damage. Just badly bruised muscles. It’s pretty tough getting around, but I'm powering through.

The ER doctor told me that with my osteopenia, I was lucky nothing was broken. He even called me "resilient." Where have I heard that before!?

It’s also comforting to know there are so many medical folks living in my apartment complex. They even gave me their personal numbers so I can call if I need help. A definite advantage! 

This morning, I got up, got dressed, and decided someone else needed to cook me breakfast. I headed to America’s Kitchen for a pancake breakfast! After that, I’m off to UU service and then to the symphony.

I'm not letting this keep me down!

Mental Health Matters

 I was so glad to see this article in Nice News about Simone Biles. Mental health does matter. And finally, people are beginning to see that it is not something to be shunned or locked up for, but instead, to be taken seriously. Thank you, Simone Biles, for standing up for yourself and all the rest of us who admit we need help. You're my hero! 

Assignment from My Daughter

I complain a lot about being alone. My daughter, however, has been single all her life; so I asked her how she deals with it. It's not a problem for her at all. After going round and round for a while, she gave me an assignment: write down all the good things about living by myself. I decided to take her up on it, so here goes:

1. I only cook meals that I like.

2. I eat when I want to and don't eat if I don't want to.

3. I don't have to clean up someone else's messes: dishes, laundry, bathrooms, etc.

4. I sleep when I want to and get up when I want to.

5. I watch tv that I want to watch or watch none at all.

6. I decorate my place the way I choose.

7. I don't have to share drawers, closets, rooms, etc. 

8. I go on trips when and where I want.

9. I buy my own car, furniture, household supplies, food without anyone arguing about the style, size, color, price, etc.

10. I don't have to wait on someone when they're sick.

11. I don't have to "be quiet" because someone else doesn't like my piano playing or music blaring or anything else I do that makes noise. Bill hated noise.

12. I invite whomever I want for dinner and serve whatever I want to cook.

13. I wear what I want - even go braless if I want!

14. When I go out, I don't have to wait for someone to get ready or rush because someone's in a hurry.

15. I play games with friends; something I rarely did as a kid and never when Bill was home. 

16. I have plenty of free time to do what I want. 

17. I have "girls day/night out" or "gal overnights" - another thing I rarely did as a kid.

18. I enjoy new hobbies, activities, restaurants, outings; things my husband would never try.

So what are the bad things about living alone? I decided it was only fair if I made the opposite list, so here goes:

1. There is no one to talk to when I'm home alone. It's so quiet.

2. When I want to go out on an "adventure," I have to plan ahead; or, I have to go by myself. I miss our impulse activities. 

3. I was going to say I miss affection, but I never got affection. Nor do I give it very easily. So maybe that doesn't count. 

4. I don't like to be home alone during holidays especially. I usually have my kids on the actual holiday (which I'm lucky to have), but the days around it are very lonely. 

5. I miss someone giving me gifts - but then I realized that I always bought my own gifts, anyway He never went shopping. So this is not a valid point.

6. There is no one to tell me I look nice when I dress up. He did do that. 

Now that I look at both lists, I see there are many more advantages to being alone! I guess I should stop complaining and figure out ways I can solve the few problems that it makes for me. Thanks, Shelly!

Wallowing . . .

Why is it that I can keep myself so busy, yet feel so profoundly lonely? My therapist encouraged me today, "Stay busy. Do things for yourself. Live your life." And I do, but there's still this hollow ache inside, a nagging voice that whispers, “You’re all by yourself. You have no one. You’re lonely.” 

Am I wallowing in self-pity? It definitely appears that way, at times. After all, I have so much to be thankful for that other caregivers do not. I have children who care about me, a network of wonderful friends who encourage me, and the luxury of time to care for myself; to keep myself healthy, physically fit, and mentally alert. Financially, I’m comfortable. There’s no bill collector at my door. I have everything I need and more. And my every waking hour isn’t devoted to my husband’s needs. Someone else is taking care of him. I only get to do the “fun” stuff. Yet, whenever I come home at the end of the day, after a whirlwind of activity, I feel this unmistakable slump.

 

My home greets me with silence; the kind of silence that presses down like an iron pillow. Suffocating the "light" out of me. There are no sounds echoing between my four walls, but my own voice as I catch myself talking to Oreo, or even to myself, hoping to fill the empty space. The only footsteps I hear are mine, as I wander from room to room, listening to the tap, tap, tap of my steps on the white pine floor. Perhaps if I walk long enough, I'll convince myself I’m not alone.

 

I wish I could explain these feelings, even to myself. It doesn’t make sense, especially after a full day. I’ve been to breakfast with friends, spent time writing with friends, and even laughed with friends over a game of pinocle. I came home, took Oreo over to the park for a long, brisk walk, and snacked on sharp cheese and fresh grapes. Good friends, good food, and good exercise. What could be missing?

It's been nearly two years since Bill moved into a care home, and "Father Time" continues to tick by, both quickly and slowly, all at once. But the feeling of loneliness lingers on. It’s like I’m waiting . . . but waiting for what? Am I waiting for news that he’s improved? That’s unrealistic. Am I waiting to hear that he’s had a good day? That’s always good news. Or am I waiting to hear that’s he’s declined and only has a short time left? Could I be so callous that I’m willing to rush the inevitable just so I can move on. The thought definitely lurks in the background of my mind, if I’m honest. And that makes me feel terrible.

 

This cycle of emotions I ride every day is exhausting. It’s like an elevator ride from the basement to the 105^thfloor, then back down again, over and over. Mostly I live somewhere in between, but the ups and downs wear me out. I’m so tired of it all. I want it to end. I want the lonely to go away. . . 

 

I shake myself off, tell myself to “put on my big girl panties,” and keep plugging away. "I do have a good life. I’m not really lonely. It's only in my head," I tell myself. "I can do this, can’t I?" 

My rational mind answers, "Yes, you can, because you have no choice. . .  That's the harsh reality of this disease called, Dementia."

DNR Decision, Part 2

I went to Houston today and took Bill out for lunch. I had all intentions of talking to him about the DNR; but I quickly realized, that only when I’m at home do I think he is capable of making such a decision. He has the cognitive skills of a 6-year-old. How can I ask him to make a decision like that - I can’t. So I didn’t.

I had done more research on the internet and, in the process, discovered the low outcomes post DNR, especially with people who have dementia. 

"Even if a patient does survive the initial resuscitation, their long-term quality of life can be significantly impacted. For patients with dementia, the quality of life post-resuscitation is often diminished due to the additional neurological impairments that may occur during cardiac arrest. Studies show that many survivors experience worsened cognitive function and physical disabilities. In some cases, these patients may not regain their previous level of independence, and the overall prognosis for returning to a meaningful quality of life is generally poor.

Additionally, the chances of long-term survival are slim, with significant mortality within the first year after discharge. For older patients, particularly those over 70, survival rates drop even further, with only a small percentage surviving beyond one year."

Really not much positive about it. I didn’t realize (or it didn’t register) that it would probably decrease his brain function even more, among other things, making his quality of life even worse. I can't do that to him.

I’ve decided to sign a DNR. It’s the right thing to do. I guess I didn’t want to face it. But face it, I must. 

The Social Worker will email me the form and I must sign it in front of two witnesses, so that is my job this week. Damn, this is hard.

The good thing is that Bill is in fair physical condition, other than high blood pressure and arthritis. So we shouldn't need the DNR for quite some time. In the meantime, I'll continue to take him out for his rides around Houston; the one thing he looks forward to each week. At least we have that.

DNR - How do I make this decision?

I'm a bit weepy today. I went to see Bill at the VA Memory Care. It was a ______ visit. I'm trying to fill in the blank with an adjective, but I don't have one. It was not pleasant. It was not fun. It was not happy. Bill only wants to get out and ride around. Unfortunately, I hurt my shoulder and did not want to lift the wheelchair or worry about catching him if he falls. So we sat in his room and "talked." 

He doesn't talk. He asks questions. The same ones over and over. How are the kids? How are you? Then, he says, "I want to take you out to lunch." I explain, again, that I can't today. He says that he'll drive. I remind him he has no license. Then he sits and stares until the session starts all over again. And again. And again. 

After I got home, I began to think about the question that the VA asks me every month. Do you want a DNR on Bill? I always say no. But, am I doing the right thing? I don't know. This afternoon, I searched the internet for information on when to put a DNR on a loved one. Here are the answers I got: 

Deciding when to place a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order on a loved one with Alzheimer's Dementia is a deeply personal and challenging decision. It involves considering their current health status, quality of life, and their previously expressed wishes if they were able to make their preferences known.

Here are some factors that might help guide your decision:

### 1. **Stage of the Disease**

   - **Early to Mid-Stage:** If your husband is still able to engage in life meaningfully and has some level of independence, you might feel that resuscitation would be appropriate if it could extend his life with a decent quality.

   - **Advanced Stage:** In the advanced stages of Alzheimer's, when the ability to communicate, recognize loved ones, or perform basic functions is significantly impaired, many people consider a DNR. At this point, resuscitation might prolong life without improving the quality of that life.

### 2. **Overall Health**

   - If your husband has other significant health issues, such as heart disease or chronic conditions that could lead to sudden cardiac or respiratory arrest, it’s worth considering how these conditions might interact with his dementia. Sometimes, the presence of severe comorbidities makes the decision clearer.

### 3. **Quality of Life**

   - Consider what your husband’s quality of life is like now and what it might be in the future. If resuscitation were to occur, would it lead to a meaningful recovery, or would it likely result in more suffering? For example, if he were to be resuscitated, but with diminished capacity afterward, would this be what he would want?

### 4. **His Wishes**

   - If your husband ever expressed his wishes regarding life-sustaining treatments before his diagnosis or in the early stages, those wishes should guide your decision. If he has an advance directive, living will, or had conversations about his preferences, they should be honored.

### 5. **Family Input**

   - It can be helpful to talk to your children or other close family members about their thoughts and feelings. They may offer insights or support that can make the decision less burdensome.

### 6. **Medical Advice**

   - Consult with his doctors. They can provide insights into his prognosis and help you understand what resuscitation might entail for someone in his condition. Palliative care specialists can also offer guidance focused on comfort and quality of life.

### 7. **Emotional Readiness**

   - Are you emotionally prepared to make this decision? It’s okay to seek support from friends, family, or a counselor. It's a heavy burden, and you don't have to carry it alone.

### 8. **Ethical and Spiritual Considerations**

   - Reflect on your ethical and spiritual beliefs, and how they align with the idea of a DNR. Your faith community or spiritual advisor might provide valuable guidance.

There's no single "right" time, as every situation is unique. It’s about finding the right balance between honoring your husband's dignity, respecting his wishes, and considering the emotional and physical toll on both him and you.

After reading this, I could only cry. . . 

Oreo - the Vegetarian!

My most beloved pet, Oreo, is now a vegetarian! Yes, you heard it right! 

Here's the scoop: 

From the time she was born, Oreo's had food issues. At a year of age, she had bladder surgery to remove bladder stones. The vet showed me the stones they pulled out: they were the size of peas and filled a 3/4 cup measure! At that point, she was on a Rx diet and has been since then.

For the next eleven years, her digestive system got worse, until, by this spring, she was having nausea and diarrhea at least once or twice a week. I was at my wits end, and so was my vet. Even the strict Rx diet for gastronomical issues was not working. Finally, in July, my vet suggested a vegetarian diet. He had been doing some research and found studies that suggested this type of diet may help dogs like Oreo. So, six weeks ago, I started the transition to Royal Canin Vegetarian diet. The protein in it is soy, so she is still getting protein. 

She has been completely on the vegetarian diet for the past four and one-half weeks. And guess what? No more stomach issues or diarrhea! She's happier, more energetic, and looks the best she has in years. In fact, it makes me wonder if I should become vegetarian! 

UPDATE: I've added green bean "candles" to her vegetarian dinner! 

Caregiver Stress - Yes, It's real

I was looking through my photo album this week and it finally registered how much stress I had been under while caring for my husband at home.

These are actual photos of me before caregiving began (2010), during my twelve years of caregiving at home (2012-2022), and today, after placing my husband in a Memory Care unit almost two years ago (2022-2024). 

 

As the saying goes, A picture is worth a thousand words. I had no idea what caregiving was doing to me. Thankfully, my kids intervened and finally convinced me to (1) see a therapist and (2) place my husband in memory care. They could see the stress I was in and the toll it was taking on my own health, even if I couldn't. I will always be grateful to them for the intervention.

If you know someone going through caregiving stress, please be their intervention. They will thank you later.

Additional reading on the topic of caregiver stress:

• Family Caregivers of People with Dementia PMC, National Library of Medicine
• Effects of Caregiving 
• Symptoms of Caregiver Stress 
• Top Stressors for Caregivers 
• Tips to Avoid Caregiver Burnout

PrecivityAD2-New Blood Test for Alzheimer's

I read this in the 1440 Daily Digest today and thought it might be of interest to my readers.  

"A new diagnostic blood test for Alzheimer's disease was found to correctly identify the condition around 90% of the time, outperforming specialists' assessments based on physical and cognitive symptoms. The breakthrough offers a potential tool to accurately diagnose the disease and at earlier stages of development." 

I did a bit more research and found this article in Alzheimer's News Today: https://alzheimersnewstoday.com/news/precivityad-test-alzheimers-guided-clinical-decision-making/

The 1440 Digest article went on to say, 

"The new test—called PrecivityAD2—measures the ratios of both present in a patient’s blood, plugging the result into a proprietary algorithm to predict the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Doctors hope the simple and cheap test can replace expensive scans and invasive spinal taps currently considered best-in-class for diagnosis."

Perhaps the PrecivityAD2 blood test will lead to new treatments for the disease. We can only hope. . .

Day 2 with Hearing Aids

 I couldn't wait to post my 2nd day with my new hearing aids. I am so delighted that I bought these. As a review, I bought the Jabra Enhance Select 300 with the 3 year warranty and 100 day trial for $1995. Now for my second day:

Today, I took a walk up to the restaurant near the beach. As I walked outside by the lake, I turned on the nature mode and was delighted to hear all the beautiful bird sounds; sounds I had not heard before. Pelicans I usually hear, but some of the smaller birds that made twittering sounds had been out of my hearing zone. Not today. It was a bird symphony! 

The wind was blowing, but it did not interfere with my hearing at all. In fact, I could even hear the swish of the palm tree leaves as they blew back and forth, brushing against tree trunks. Never heard that before! 

As I passed an apartment that was having work done on its roof, I could even hear a workman on the roof talking to his coworker! 

Next I went into the restaurant. This was a small one so I didn't expect to hear much difference. But I did! As I walked in, it became very noisy with dishes clattering. One push of the button on my hearing aid and I switched into restaurant mode. I made some other adjustments on my phone because I was having trouble at first hearing the girl taking my order. Then I sat down and just listened. 

I heard the workers talking back and forth, taking orders, and even understand most of the orders being given. Next to me I heard someone tearing open a straw wrapper. I didn't know that made a sound! LOL! Then a worker turned on a blender! Waaa! That was loud, but a quick adjustment and the noise went away. The other thing that I had never noticed before was the music playing in the background. 

When I left, I had my second "Too loud" experience. I was standing directly in front of a car bumper when the owner turned the car on. OMG! That was loud! I had switched back to nature mode. I quickly switched modes and walked away. I wonder how that would have sounded in the Everyday mode? 

As I'm walking back home, I hear someone talking on the phone across the street and understand what they are saying! I hear people talking on their patios. Before I reach my house, I decide to take them out and experience the difference. It was huge! All the pretty bird sounds disappeared. No conversations, no trees swishing, just muffled sounds and a rare bird call. 

Next, I decide to go to Kroger for groceries for my covered dish on Sunday. This was another exciting adventure! My hearing aids connect to Apple Car Play! As I was driving I got a phone call through my hearing aids! Then, I used Siri to call someone else. That was fun! 

In Krogers, I noticed music playing again. I have never noticed music in Kroger's before! The other thing that happened at Kroger's was I thought I had lost one of my hearing aids in the parking lot. They are so comfortable, I was sure it had fallen out. Nope, it was there! 

All in all it was a great day. I came home and took them out for the day . . . trying to stick to the four hours a day for now. One of the ear pieces that sits inside the ear feels like it could be a tad bit too large, so I might switch to a smaller size. I'll ask the audiologist on Wednesday.

My score for these hearing aids is still A+! I'm very happy with them so far. I'll update after a large restaurant visit and the covered dish. 

UPDATE: March 30. I recommend these hearing aids 100% for anyone with low to moderate hearing loss. I am very happy with them. They do everything I need and more. They are comfortable, easy to adjust, and effective. I can't imagine how higher priced ones would help me any more. 

Day 1 with Hearing Aids

I did NOT realize how bad my hearing was until I got my new hearing aids! They came yesterday by Federal Express. It took me about a half-hour to get them in my ears, between making sure they were charged and figuring out how to work the app that goes with it. 

Yesterday, I wore them for about four hours. I went to a craft meeting that was in a medium size room with about ten people. I had no trouble hearing everyone or adjusting to the aids. I took them off when I got home and charged them overnight.

This morning I wore them to watch one of my favorite TV shows: Tournament of Champions. I took off the captioning I normally have on so I could test my hearing without the help of the words on screen. I did fine - no captioning needed! I did have to mute the tv whenever they had loud clapping. I will talk with the Audiologist to see if this is something that can be adjusted. 

The real eye opener came when I was three-fourths through the show and decided to take off my hearing aids. Without changing any settings on the tv, I took them off to see if I could tell the difference. OMG, it was like I was in a tunnel. I couldn't understand much of what was said at all! Now I see the difference! I really did need these aids! 

So far, I really like them. It was easy to learn to use the app to adjust for sound and noise level. There are preset settings for All Around, Restaurants, Music, and Outdoors. In addition, with a click of a button, I can customize each of these presets on a more personal level. 

  

On the hearing aids themselves, I can tap a button to change the volume or rotate between the four presets. Very easy to do and convenient. The app can be used to make more specific changes if needed. I'll be testing this more when I go to church and covered dish on Sunday. Today, I'm going to take a walk outside and see how they do.

They recommend that I wear them a few hours a day until I get used to them. So that's what I'm going to do. 

Next week, I'll have my Audiologist appointment to make any further adjustments, if needed. I will update after that. So far, A+ for these hearing aids! 

Getting Real About Hearing Loss

I've been dealing with hearing loss for over ten years, but the price of hearing aids and the thoughts of wearing them kept me from doing anything significant about it. About eight years ago, I bought an OTC pair for $600 and wore them about a month before I quit. They were one-size-fits-all and did not work for me. What a waste. 

Last year, I went to an audiologist who told me I have mild hearing loss and recommended I not waste my money on hearing aids, which were in the area of $8-10K. So I continued on with life. . . 

. . . pretending I hear when I don't. Here are some scenarios that give me trouble: I'm in the car riding with my friends chatting against the sounds of the engine humming, the tires on the road bouncing and rolling, and the wind beating against the car from all directions. Even worse, I'm at a restaurant dining among clanking dishes, the bustle of servers taking orders, and the high and low pitched voices of people conversing. Or, I'm at the opera or theatre, trying to understand not only what's happening on the stage, but also the friends that I go with. Lucky for me, they now have closed captioning on TV and at the Opera. I do have good eyes, but that's another story for another day! Unfortunately, my friends don't have closed captioning! In all these scenarios, I miss about 50% of the conversation; and, gradually, lose interest in being there.

Lately, I've noticed more comments from my friends and family about my hearing, so even they have noticed. Yesterday, I finally did something about it. First, I did research online to find out the prices of hearing aids and the different between OTC and Rx hearing aids. I knew that, in 2022, our government passed a law establishing new guidelines for selling hearing aids to those with mild to moderate hearing loss. And, since I knew my loss was considered mild to moderate, I settled on purchasing one of the new OTC hearing aids now available. 

First, I looked into Costco, which was highly recommended. I decided I did not want to drive an hour away every time I needed to deal with issues. The recommended hearing aids at Costco were the Jabra brand, so I did research on Jabra online by looking at reviews from audiologists and on BBB to learn about after-purchase service. Apparently, this is one of the best brands available at the price point, and it's equivalent to some of the better Rx brands, especially for those, like me, who have mild to moderate hearing loss. I finally settled on the Jabra Enchanced 300 with a three-year warranty and online support for $1995. 

They tested my ears online. I wore my Apple air pods with noise cancellation to take the test for an optimal in-home testing environment. 

Jabra offers a no-interest payment plan for 12 months, but I opted to pay outright as I didn't want to add to my monthly bills. However, this is a good option for those who don't want to pay in full.

The hearing aides, programmed to my hearing loss, will arrive on Friday. I have a ZOOM appointment the following week with their audiologist to help me learn how to use the Jabra 300 and to do any final programming. Then, I have 100 days from the time they arrive to decide if they are working for me. 

I'll update you on my progress and let you know how it goes. If it goes well, I hope others will take advantage of this new, lower-cost resource for hearing aids. From my own experience, I can see how hearing affects your mental health. I found myself feeling left out of the conversation and wanting to just stay home. That's not healthy for anyone. 

Carpal Tunnel - 2nd Update

I can say that this new keyboard has been a huge help with my carpal tunnel issues. It took me about a week to get my speed close to my old speed and even yet, I'm not quite as fluent. However, I get faster every day. I'm probably up to 45 wpm now.

As far as pain, it's MUCH BETTER! Not all gone by any means. I still have problems at night with numbness; however, I just learned from my doctor, that thyroid increases problems with carpal tunnel. I had my thyroid removed in January this year. She said that this could be aggravating the issue. We are still working on getting the medicine adjusted. So the good news is, this problem should go away with time. Maybe I will get a full night's sleep sometime in the near future!

Tulsa Council of the Blind

Logo of person with white cane.

As many of you know, my husband Bill is legally blind. He began losing his vision in 2006 after a visit to get contacts. We visited eye specialists from here to the East coast in search of answer to why he was losing his vision, but no one seems to know. The specialists at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, MD, finally decided it was probably genetic or an autoimmune disease. He said this is the standard answer when they can't figure it out.

We were both hoping the vision loss was temporary; but, after consultation with doctors from Dean McGee, John Hopkins and Mayo Clinic, we finally had to accept the fact that, barring a miracle from God, he would probably not regain his sight.

In the meantime, we were both struggling to adapt to these changes. Bill was struggling with his lost of independence. No more could he get in the car and go somewhere. He has to depend on me to drive him. I was struggling with a change of roles. Bill had always been the one who went out to work. He loves being with people and want to go, go, go. In contrast, I enjoy working at home alone and only like to go out on special occasions. It was the perfect marriage. He enjoyed going out and I enjoyed staying home. We were both happy. But now, our roles had reversed. How would I be able to take care of all the things that Bill used to take care of? How would Bill be able to adjust to staying home and being dependent on others? This was a scary time for both of us and we didn't know where to turn for help. The doctors only worked on a diagnosis; they gave no advice on where to get emotional support.

In desperation, I began searching the Internet for blind support groups and only found one: National Federation of the Blind. We went to a meeting and quickly wished we hadn't gone. The leader of the group told us in no uncertain terms that if we came there because "Oh, I'm a poor little blind person and I need help, you've come to the wrong place." Both of us wanted to slide under the table and disappear. We stayed for the meeting, but were so glad to go home. That was definitely not the help we were looking for. We went home and prayed for help from somewhere else.

Finally, after searching the Internet some more, I ran across a small posting from a person who ran a support group in Tulsa called the Tulsa Council of the Blind. We went to the meeting and found just what we were looking for. They were helpful, supportive and caring. They told us where to go for more help and who to contact. This was the breakthrough we had been looking for. From there, Bill has been able to get help from the VA, the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation, and more. Emotionally, we have both learned to adapt and are making progress in getting back to a new normal.

I said all that to say this: I have just finished creating a website for Tulsa Council of the Blind. My goal is that this website will not only make easier for someone to find this organization, but that it also will help others get the help they need when going through a transition such as ours.

With the help of the staff, I have including information about the organization and its services, as well as links to other websites with helpful information for both the visually impaired as well as for the family and friends of the visually impaired. While on the site, you'll learn interesting facts about the blind, gain knowledge about the causes of blindness, discover resources for helping the blind gain confidence and independence, and even find educational resources for parents of school-age children who are blind or visually impaired.

If you know anyone who is losing their vision, please send them to the Tulsa Council of the Blind website.  And if you have a website or blog or Facebook page, please link to the website so that others can find it. Don't let them go through this alone!

UPDATE: Sept 21, 2012. I just received a nice note from the new president of NFB apologizing for the treatment we received at the NFB meeting. It's nice to know that someone cares enough to reach out and make it right.

UPDATE: Oct 20, 2019. I no longer maintain the Tulsa Council of the Blind website.

The Wii

My husband and I just purchased a Wii Fit Plus. Although, I also work out at Gold's Gym, I'm finding that this gadget is great for my off days.

I especially love the strength training and Yoga. But, my favorite is the bicycling activity. I LOVE THIS ONE! It feels like I am riding a bike in a hologram or something. When I ride by the waterfalls, I heard the falls; when I ride by the windmills, I hear them turning; when I ride by the ocean, I hear the waves breaking on the land.

It's very relaxing and fun to do. It takes a lot longer to work off the calories than at the gym, but the time passes quickly because I get so engrossed in the scenery! Now, I'm going to order Walk it Out. I've read a lot of good reviews about this one. I'll let you know.