My Untold Sight Loss Journey - Part 1
There is no doubt that my journey with blindness has been a challenging one.
The past 7 years have brought many experiences; some have been triumphant while others have been downright terrifying.
Despite the grief that accompanied my sight loss, I have been able to find joy in sharing how God has worked through it all.
Over the next few weeks, my blogs will contain stories from the past 7 years that I have not written or spoken about before.
Some will be hard, and some will be light-hearted, but each one will point right back to God and his amazing grace. I hope you enjoy!
2015:
In the weeks and months following the trauma of my sight loss, I hardly recognized myself. Of course, I could not see my reflection in a mirror, but the way I felt was vastly different than it had been a few months earlier.
I had no strength or energy and my body ached in ways it never had before. To get me back in shape and simply get out of the house, my mom and I began taking frequent, but short walks around town.
As I became more proficient with my white cane, my courage and independence increased on these walks as well.
While my mom was always a few steps behind, I was able to walk on my own, with no one guiding me.
One day, when a bit of my strength had returned, I picked up my pace and began to jog.
Sara Claudia smiling while running with her white cane at Hobbs Farm.
Even though I only made it a few steps before I became out of breath, I remember grinning from ear to ear as I exclaimed, “I just jogged all on my own!”
It was a feat that, a few months earlier, I would have never even thought twice about performing, but in my current state, it was a monumental accomplishment.
From this moment on, I tried to take time to celebrate every baby step forward, every new skill I learned, and every small opportunity.
As I have progressed through my journey with blindness, there are a lot of things I have been able to do that I never thought I would be able to enjoy again, and I am so thankful for the way God has walked me through each experience.
No matter what we are facing, we can all strive to be thankful for each moment and each opportunity that God has given us, whether big or small.
2016:
Almost exactly a year after losing my sight, on May 7, 2016, my older sister got married. It was a day filled with joy, love, and a lot of emotions.
After the ceremony and tons of pictures, we headed to the reception where a live band was waiting to join in the celebration.
It was the first time since losing my sight that I had the opportunity to really dance!
Sara Claudia’s sister, Beth, Sara Claudia, and Sara Claudia’s mom, Sally, dancing at Beth’s wedding together.
Now, I have never been much of a dancer, and, especially as someone who cannot see, this activity made me slightly nervous. As I was dragged onto the dance floor, I’ll admit, I was a bit reluctant.
To my surprise, as I was passed from one dance partner to the next, not really knowing where I was on the floor or who I was even dancing with half the time, I found myself having a blast!
As I was twirled and spun around on the floor, I remember feeling so free.
For someone who had spent the last year trying to regain control of her life, it was nice to let someone else lead for a change!
This simple experience has important implications for all of us.
Are we spending too much effort and time trying to micromanage every second of our lives, or are we enjoying the peace and freedom that comes with allowing God to guide our steps?
Join me in letting God lead today because His will, timing, and discernment are always better than our own.
I pray that these stories have made you smile and reflect on God’s presence in your own life.
Be sure to keep an eye out for next week’s blog where I will be sharing stories from 2017 and 2018!
Text that says, “This blog is sponsored by:”
Joe Garrett at Garrett and Robinson Investment, where they deliver the support and financial guidance that you need regardless of what the upcoming days, weeks, or even months might bring.
Dr. Donna Thomas Moses, who specializes in Periodontics, temporomandibular complex (TMJ), and dental implants. At her practice, she strives to make you feel comfortable and relaxed throughout your evaluation and treatment.
Ashlee Burgess photography, which has been a photography business in the West Georgia area since 2014. Specializing in weddings, elopements, and couples, Ashlee also loves working with seniors & individuals for portraits! No matter the subject in front of her camera, her goal is to create warm, dreamy images that capture the emotion of your most precious moments.
