A Second Sight: Embracing Life After Vision Loss

After losing her sight, Jill Glickman received assistance from the DES Rehabilitation Services Administration through its Independent Living Older Blind (ILOB) program. This program is designed to help individuals who are 55 and older and blind or visually impaired achieve their goals for independent living. Learn more about ILOB through Jill's story:

"Well, I'm Jill Glickman. I'm 64 years old. I have a bachelor's in accounting, and an MBA. And for 15 years I worked for Motorola as a Financial Analyst. And then for 13 years, I taught accounting at Mace Community College.

In 2012, I was at a routine ophthalmology appointment and my doctor told me that I had macular degeneration. I did not realize it because I could still fully see at that point, and I was like, well, what does that mean? He says, well, that means that you are going to slowly lose your sight.

And then I went to a meeting of the Foundation Fighting Blindness, and I met a young man who works for the state there. And he says, well, what kind of services have you gotten from the state? And I'm like, their services from the state? I had no idea because no one tells you that they're services from the state.

So he gave me a number to call, and I called that number. And so, a lady named Vasant, helped me with home services. She sent me a magnifier and some measuring cups that were black with bright green on it so I could actually see the numbers. I was having a lot of difficulty measuring things because I wasn't sure what sizes things were. And sent me a glove. So I would not cut myself while I was cooking because I love to cook. She helped with supports  around the house and sent me some glasses that really cut the glare and because the sun really hurts my eyes.

Those things were really very helpful for just everyday living in my home. And then about a few weeks ago, a person named Alonzo called me, and he's a technical guy. He came to my home to visit and to talk about what kinds of technical things I needed.

And I basically said, I need a screen reader or something that will read my computer to me, because I cannot really see the computer at all. He came back a little over a week later and installed a program called JAWS. It's giving me a little more independence in that regard.

That same week, Justin called me and is helping me learn how to use the white cane. I’m 2 weeks into it and so I’m learning it. And that has actually really helped, because cars will stop and back up when I'm crossing a street. With the cane, I think they're more cognizant of me being in a crosswalk or somewhere. So people are kinder in stores offering to help. It's been a really good experience. I'm learning to be a lot more independent.

I go outdoors and I walk a lot of places. So that's my mode of transportation mostly. I have no interest in working anymore. But, I do want to travel. And I feel like even if I go by myself now, I have the ability to do that without as much fear. So I'm really excited about that.

You have to be your own advocate for sure. You can't just sit back and think that services and things are going to come to you. You have to go out there and be part of a community. I find that the blind community is an amazing community! So, now I have a community that really understands what I'm going through at this point, and it's just been really helpful. This gives me a more positive attitude for sure.

I am not willing to sit in my house and be alone and wallow in my own pity.  I have hope and I can give hope to other people. Just because you have a disability, does not mean that you should sit home and not live life. I want to travel and do all kinds of things and I'm going to do them all. I have every intention to do them all."

The DES ILOB program helps clients with daily living skills, orientation and mobility, assistive technology and adjustment to blindness. Learn more about how the ILOB program can assist individuals with vision loss.