self-determination Archives

Blind Senior with Diabetes Gains Independence with CGM

Posted on March 26, 2026 - 3:10 pm by Empish J. Thomas

Nancy Duncan is a retired senior with diabetes. She was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2005 and was unsure of the cause. “Relatives in my family had it, but people weren’t diagnosed back then,” Nancy said. They just said you had the sugars and that was it.” Over the past 20 years, Nancy has learned how to and manage her condition and advocate for herself. When she […]

Five Accessible Heart Healthy Devices for People Blind and Low Vision

Posted on March 9, 2026 - 3:14 pm by Empish J. Thomas

woman taking blood pressure. She has the cuff on her arm and the monitor on the table in front of her.

American Heart Month, observed every February, is an initiative to focus on our hearts, keeping them healthy and strong. The month emphasizes making lifestyle changes like managing your blood pressure, your weight and taking your medications properly. People can use at home medical devices to help meet this goal. If you are blind or low […]

How Can Self-Compassion Save the Day?

Posted on February 3, 2026 - 11:01 am by lauralynnbrodie

illustration of a person with long dark hair holding a large red heart close to their chest on a white background.

Some days are just harder than others. Not because anything dramatic happens, but because you’re tired of explaining, adjusting, advocating, or holding it all together. For families living with low vision or blindness, these moments are part of everyday life, and this is exactly where self-compassion can heroically save the day. Self-love is about appreciation […]

After an AMD Diagnosis: Steps That Helped My Mom Adjust

Posted on February 2, 2026 - 8:30 am by edhenkler

Jane Henkler is smiling and sitting inside a plane while her son, Ed, is also smiling and leaning on the wing.

When the phone rang in the mid-1990s, I didn’t realize it was the start of a chapter that would redefine my life’s work. My mother, Jane Henkler, was on the other end, telling me she had been diagnosed with macular degeneration. At the time, I had no idea what that meant. I just knew that […]

Nursing With Low Vision: Trailblazing a Path

Posted on June 25, 2024 - 8:30 am by Jenn Han

Ask any healthcare professional why they chose their career. It will usually boil down to: “I want to help people.” However, the distinguishing answer lies in each person’s unique story that moved them to action. Perhaps, however, we have grown so used to trying to cure or fix. So much so, we have become indifferent […]

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