Sunday, August 21, 2011

Faith on Bad Days

There are days when I question my blindness. I ask the usual questions, "Why me?" "Is there a reason for me going blind?"

Of course I have no real answer to any of my questions. I cannot say God has singled me out for a special purpose, there is no exceptional evil in my life. I try to remain positive, do what I can and work on keeping myself held together in times which are frustrating, emotionally trying and very, very lonely.

Today I heard a sermon which in part clicked in my brain. It was on the question of love and our relationship with God.

The Pastor spoke of God's love being supportive. He knows our strengths and weaknesses. He gives us a trial and provides the support for that trial.

It brought to mind the words of Mother Theresa of Calcutta many years ago. She was asked what made her remain faithful. She said that she needed God's love and support everyday of her life, she knew God would never let her down, but then added "But, I wish God sometimes had a little less faith in me."

It is a curious thought, the trials we face are trials of our faith, ability, they test our will and they make us stronger. But in the end God knows not to break us, hHe only tests us to bring about our love and strengthen our faith.

This is a little off my usual writing and if anyone is offended, I apologise, but in the end. I want to share that I accept the fact that my blindness mayy be a trial of me as a person, my faith and my ability to love. I will trust that God in His infinite wisdom will not break me. That I am to use the opportunities He gives me to make me stronger.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Going Out

Going out for any form of entertainment can be a challenge when you are blind. You have to face crowds, deal with low light levels in many restaurants and going to the cinema is not much fun if you can't even see the normal picture and then film makers want to charge you up to 50 % more to watch a 3-D film which you can't even see.
Before the audience arrives, the cinema is quiet, the curtains over the screen are uplit and outside the corn is popping Take your seats the show is about to start.
An Empty Cinema.  Seats ready, curtains lit, ready the movie.

Last weekend my wife and I went to a cinema in Fresno, a Regal Cinema, I won't say which just to ease possible repurcussions as I am sure people will flock there after this story. .  We were surprised when the young woman in the ticket office said the show was free.

My wife was shocked, at first I thought maybe our Regal Card had won a prize, But no, I believe the manager allowed us in to the movie as his guests.

The act was so unexpected and to my mind very generous. I am not often surprised by much but this act was so much more than was neccessary. I do love going to the cinema anyway. Often I have to ask my wife what is happening but sometimes I can make out through the grey blurr of light what I need to follow the story.

I would like to say, being the guest of the manager was a great honor.

The Regal Cinema group are great cinema's to watch movies. I would recommend that everyone who goes to the cinema regularly gets a Regal Card, you then become elligible for free popcorn, drinks and movies tickets, I averahe a free gift every three visits to the cinema.

But the action of this one manager did a great deal to fix my loyalty to the Regal brand.  Thank you for your kindness, thank you to your staff for all the good times I have had visiting your cinema.

I have no connection to Regal Cinema's. I have not received payment for this endorsement, I expect no remuneration nor financial gain from this post.

You may purchase cinema gift cards from this; my amazon affilliate link to help support my blog.



 

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Share a Laugh: How a Small Cat Made My Day Brighter.


A blow by blow re-enactment (using a Stunt Cat) of an encounter with a visious and playful kitten.
 
NO CAT WAS INJURED IN THE MAKING OF THIS VIDEO

Some weeks ago I was having a bad morning and had not even got into work at 8am.

My day was made so much brighter with an encounter with a small cat as I walked to my office.

To read the story click on this link Share a Laugh: How a Small Cat Made My Day Brighter.

Friday, August 5, 2011

What is Blindness?

Today I found this article in my newsfeed.  It was posted in the Nigerian Tribune on August 6th 2011. (The date difference is due to time zones, it was August 6th in Nigeria though still August 5th in California.

It is an excellent example as to the description of blindness.

I can see (metaphorically) how people misunderstand what blindness is. The general description is that blindness isa inability to detect the presence of light or dark.  All other forms are actually visual impairment to some degree.

The confusion comes when people are declared legally blind. Currently legal blindness is 20/200, That is the person tested cannot see or identify objects seen by a normally sighted person at 200 feet.

I have a visual accuity of 20/1500 so am legally blind but am able to detect light so an not clinically blind.

The article linked below gives excellent examples as to what it means to be both blind or visually impaired.



Read The Article CLick Here!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Had a Lucentis Injection 10 hours Ago

Went to see my retinologist this morning. The tests were excellent, but my report of blurring vision was a concern for her.

She is a very good doctor, and after examination and consultation she decided to offer me an injection of Lucentis.

As usual the shot was given quickly. This time there was a little pain afterwards. It has not affected me so much since having the glaucoma implant to prevent a build up of eye pressure. Today was an exception for about five minutes, then all was ok.

Now it is about ten hours after the injection. I can see the letters on my normal keyboard, that is better than this morning. I am also less sensitive to the light.

I must admit at times this cycling is frustrating, sometimes I wish to be all one way or the other. Of course to be totally blind is not a real wish, just more stable in this region would be nice if I can't have full vision.