Losing vision is a loss. It often brings feelings of grief, anger, and sadness. It can help to know you're not alone and that there are things you can do to help you through the rough patches.

In this episode, we talk about Hadley's Adjusting & Coping Together virtual support groups. These small groups offer a space to speak openly, connect with others who are also experiencing vision loss, and learn a few things you can do to cope and adjust.

On a previous episode, we shared ideas on how to get around town after vision loss has made it more difficult. We also introduced a feature to the show called Ask Your Neighbor. We invited the Hadley community, your virtual neighbors, to contribute ideas on the topic of transportation beyond the car keys. And the community responded with some great ideas.

Tune in to hear what we've learned from you.

This week we sit down with Dr. Laura Miller, a low vision optometrist. Dr. Miller's specialty is to help low vision patients get the most functionality of the vision they have, whether that's high-power lenses, advice on which magnifier to use, or the best lighting for the task at hand.

To find a low vision specialist near you, visit The Vision Council Foundation's Low Vision Prescriber Network.

Whether you're navigating a new environment, reading a menu, or shopping, an AI app or gadget may be just the ticket to help if you've lost some vision. But which one is the best one? In this episode, we share practical tips on which tools we turn to for different tasks. We'll share our experiences with Seeing AI, Be My Eyes, Aira, and Meta glasses in particular.

Resources mentioned in this podcast:

Be My Eyes

Seeing AI

Aira

Meta Glasses

For many, vision loss means giving up the car keys and with that can come complexity, inconvenience, and frustration, among other challenges. We chat with two members of the Hadley community, Dia Kraft and Tara Perry, as they share some of the creative solutions they've found. From rural areas to urban environments, they offer some valuable perspectives about growing more comfortable and confident while navigating life after vision loss.

Do you have transportation advice to share? Please share it with your Hadley neighbors. Email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 847-784-2870. We will revisit the topic in a future episode and share more insights.

Listen in as Hadley team members share tips, tools, and their favorite apps to help make shopping a little easier for people with vision loss.

Resources mentioned in this podcast:

Hadley’s Grocery Shopping Series

Hadley’s Taking Notes Workshop

Hadley’s Seeing AI Series

Braille is often only associated with how people with no vision are able to read books. But there are many other ways braille may be of use, even for those who still have some vision. In this episode, members of the Hadley community share how they have found braille to be helpful in their everyday lives.

Charles Bonnet Syndrome, visual hallucinations that can accompany vision loss, is often overlooked or worse, misdiagnosed. We chat with the founder of Mary Carmel’s Light, an organization dedicated to supporting those facing Charles Bonnet Syndrome (sometimes called CBS).

Previous episode on this topic:

Vision Loss and Charles Bonnet Syndrome

Website:

Mary Carmel’s Light

For many, losing vision can make everyday kitchen tasks more challenging and even scary. Debra Erickson, founder of The Blind Kitchen, was no different. Then she decidedly faced her fears and learned some tips. Listen in to hear how Debra grew to love cooking now more than when she was fully sighted.

It's quite common to feel like you're all alone when facing vision loss. And feeling lonely can make the vision loss journey all the rougher. That's why Hadley created a community forum to share stories, insights and bits of inspiration to remind us that we aren't alone on this journey.

Ricky Enger and Marc Arneson spend time reintroducing us to Insights & Sound Bites, a community-generated show where others facing vision loss share what has helped them cope and adjust. Find out why fans tell us they listen to this show over and over again when feeling down.