All tagged Blind living

Grief Is the Grinch That Stole Christmas

2015 was the first year that I ever remember not looking forward to Christmas.

It had always been my absolute favorite holiday, filled with family traditions, magical memories, and lots of Christmas cookies! That year, however, as the season approached, I began to dread adorning the tree with lights, watching my favorite holiday movies, and enjoying all of the beautiful decorations.

Why? Because I wouldn’t be able to see any of it.

I had lost my sight that May, so in my mind, no amount of Christmas cheer could prepare me for all of the changes that my blindness would bring to the beloved holiday.

Have I Lost My Purpose?

What was the hardest part about losing my sight suddenly at age 20?

There were so many challenges that accompanied the unexpected tragedy which occurred over 6 years ago.

Some of these hardships included losing my independence, having to adjust to a new way of living and engaging with the world, and enduring the frustrating search to find my purpose as someone with a disability.

Losing sight of my way, my plans for the future, and the purpose I thought I had for my life would be one of the hardest things I had to face.

At the time of my sight loss in 2015, I was on track to graduate college the following year, pursue a graduate degree, and begin a career in the field of Psychology.

In the blink of an eye, all of that disappeared and I no longer had a plan for what my life would be ten years down the road, let alone 10 months, weeks, or even days in the future.

When Grief Makes Us Feel Like a Grinch

2015 was the first year that I ever remember not looking forward to Christmas.

It had always been my absolute favorite holiday, filled with family traditions, magical memories, and lots of Christmas cookies!

That year, however, as the season approached, I began to dread adorning the tree with lights, watching my favorite holiday movies, and enjoying all of the beautiful decorations.

Why?

Because I wouldn’t be able to see any of it.