Honey, I am losing my sight.
January 20, 2010 | Posted by Joan Adams We met for lunch at a local restaurant. I was working for the March of Dimes at the time. Whitey arrived with our 12 year old daughter, Kathy.
After the normal catching up on the day, he looked at me and said, “Honey, I’m losing my sight.” I could not take it in.
“What do you mean? You need glasses?”
“No, not glasses. I really am losing my vision.”
That was 1988. Soon it was necessary for Whitey to stop driving the UPS truck. He has not really seen our children (or me) since that time. He has never really seen the grandchildren. Whitey sees shadows. People are like “trees walking”.
But life does go on. And we all adjusted pretty well. Especially Whitey. Ever the positive thinker and the guy with the newest jokes and pranks, Whitey keeps us all going. He likes to say he is much better off than many people and that he can do anything he wants to do except drive and read!
A former golf professional, Whitey still plays golf three days a week, and on weekdays, he walks up to the driving range with his golden retriever, Hogan. We both totally enjoy our children and grandchildren and all in all, enjoy an active lifestyle. He plays baseball in the front yard with the grands and he and our grandson love to hit balls on the range together. The children are very young, but they have quickly learned how to “help Poppy”. It’s neat to hear our 7 year old granddaughter tell him, “Poppy, there’s 4 steps” or “Poppy, it’s me.” Or to hear our 6 year old grandson report his successes or failures with the basketball net. “That one went in, Poppy!”
Why am I telling you all of this? Well, Whitey is a walking lesson in having a good attitude. When people say, “how are you?”, he responds “I’d have to be twins to be better!”
Over the next few days, I am going to tell you more about Whitey and our family. I also want to clarify that this blog is supported by my sales via Independent Living Aids. I am an affiliate for that wonderful company. We have been customers of ILA for many years, and so naturally, when I began to work on line, I became an affiliate. That means that if you need vision or hearing products, it helps me if you link to their site from my blog. It does not cost you any more, but it does help me. At the top of the page, you will see a tab marked “Resources for Seniors.” That tab will tell you more about Independent Living Aids.
And thank you! Thank you for reading this blog, for pondering this aging experience with me. Together we will learn and grow and continue to be active, involved senior citizens!
Tags: legally blind, vision loss, whitey adamsRelated posts
Categories: Senior Living, Senior Wisdom, Visually Impaired | 
Tags: legally blind, vision loss, whitey adams | 
19 Comments »
Joan
Honey, I am losing my sight. http://is.gd/6I69V
RT @Moonvine: Honey, I am losing my sight. http://is.gd/6I69V (everyone needs to view this inspirational post)
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Joan Adams, kathygriffiths. kathygriffiths said: RT @Moonvine: Honey, I am losing my sight. http://is.gd/6I69V (everyone needs to view this inspirational post) [...]
Wow… what an inspirational post. I’m looking forward to reading more about your experiences. Whitey is quite a guy and so are you Joan. I I have loved knowing you!
Thank you, Kathy! I certainly am thankful for your friendship
and support! Even though we have never met in person, I often
remember that day we spoke on the phone a few years back —
both of us just beginning this internet journey!
Insightful Nana is such a huge success — and that is
sooooooo exciting! It is truly a wonderful blog!
Doesn’t sound like rambling to me. He truly must be an inspiration to many. Just think of what your grandchildren will learn from such a man.
I love hearing about Whitey’s great attitude. He is an inspiration. I bet he sees the cup as half full and not half empty!
This is such an amazing story of courage and inspiration and love and http://www.squidoo.com/legally-blind-and-plays-golf is still my favorite lens on Squidoo.
Thank you, John! First on my list tomorrow is a birthday card for Jack Nicklaus and I am going to send him the link to the lens about
Whitey — so he can see the pic of he and Arnie giving Whitey the
golf balls at the Masters that year. Such a nice gesture!
Wonder if he will visit the lens? wouldn’t that be fun?!
Hi Joan, whitey is an inspiration to anyone who reads about him AND I am so excited to soon have the privilege of meeting him.
That will be fun!!
Joan your blog is beautiful and I’m not talking about how it LOOKS.
RT @Moonvine: Honey, I am losing my sight. http://is.gd/6I69V
I agree with the others. What an inspirational post!
Susan52´s last blog ..A Lensography by Any Other Name . . .
RT @moonvine: Honey, I am losing my eyesight | Tips for Independent Senior Living http://is.gd/6I69V
I can’t wait to hear more about Whitey. Thank you for telling us aobut him.
Yes, Whitey is amazing and a super brother-in-law but you are amazing, too! Your family has definitely pulled together and you ALL are the inspiration.
ohme1´s last blog ..mukunda22 commented on the blog post Sun, sea, and sand… finally
You are a lucky lady, Joan. As is Whitey, who is a hero from all that I’ve heard about him since I’ve known you. I wish you both much happiness! Love.
RT @moonvine: Honey, I am losing my eyesight | Tips for Independent Senior Living http://is.gd/6I69V
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