Holidays Archives

Managing Depression with Vision Loss During the Holidays and Beyond

Posted on November 20, 2025 - 2:29 pm by Audrey Demmitt RN, BSN

black and white moody photo of a person looking down

The holiday season is tough on those who are struggling with depression, anxiety, and stress. Let’s face it, for many of us, the family gatherings, endless shopping, and chaotic parties can leave us feeling down and exhausted. Furthermore, vision loss can change how you experience the holidays and may increase emotional stress, especially as you adjust to new routines. Many people who are blind or have […]

You Can Touch the Elf on the Shelf: A Letter from Santa Claus

Posted on October 8, 2025 - 3:30 pm by admin

Elf on Shelf plush character clinging to a Christmas tree

Editor’s note: Santa gives permission to children who are blind or low vision to touch their “Elf on the Shelf.” We hope you utilize this updated post from parent Holly Bonner of of Blind Motherhood to make the holidays meaningful and accessible for your child! About Elf on the Shelf “Elf on the Shelf” is a popular […]

Outside-the-Box Holiday Gift Ideas for Family, Friends, or Colleagues Who Are Blind or Low Vision

Posted on October 12, 2024 - 9:45 am by Melisa Matthews

Wrapped gifts surrounded by Christmas ornaments and pine cones

Experience gifts have become popular in recent years as people shift away from giving material items. Sharing or gifting experiences can provide a lifetime of memories. When we give a gift, we hope it will be meaningful and impactful for the recipient. You may have fond memories of a childhood activity with a family member, […]

Practice Good Eye Safety Around Fireworks This Fourth of July

Posted on July 3, 2023 - 12:00 am by Empish J. Thomas

collage with fireworks safety poster from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission www.cpsc.gov. and picture of fireworks display. It gives safety tips to follow. CPSC hotline: 800-638-2772

Happy Safe Fourth of July! The Fourth of July is a time of fun, remembrance, and celebration for many Americans. Friends and family gather together to enjoy early morning parades, backyard barbecues, and nighttime fireworks. Fireworks are exciting, fun, and spectacular, but don’t let an accident spoil your celebration. According to the U.S. Consumer Product […]

My Mother, the Wind Beneath My Wings

Posted on May 10, 2023 - 6:18 am by DeAnna Quietwater Noriega

Collage with Cover of Deanna's book with her and her Guide Dog and Picture of Deanna on left and her Mother on right

Editor’s note: It is fitting that for Mother’s Day, we revisit a post that Peer Advisor DeAnna Quietwater Noriega wrote in May, 2013, as a tribute to her mother. This post marked the inaugural post for the Peer Perspectives on Vision Loss Blog—now called “Visually Impaired, Now What?” Diagnosed with Congenital Glaucoma My mother was […]