Easter Seals Disability Services

Tonya

“When I woke up in the morning I had my sight, and by lunchtime, it was gone.” At age 45, Tonya, completely lost her sight. “It happened that fast,” Tonya recalled.

Before completely losing her sight Tonya relied on family members to go places and creative techniques so that she could continue to cook and live independently. In the 1980s she attempted to travel on her own with a cane, but after gaining the courage to go out, she was robbed, which left her fearful and confined to her home.  

In 2007, Tonya wanted to reclaim her independence. She contacted Julie Bilinski with the Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired and was referred to Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley to receive an assessment for low vision aids and training as well as for orientation and mobility training.

With adaptive aids and assistance, Tonya was able to do things she had only longed to do: reading recipes, doing crafts, managing her medications, and for the first time seeing pictures of her nieces and nephews. Mobility training was increasing Tonya’s skills and confidence to go places independently. 

Then she began experiencing pain in her right eye that resulted from glaucoma. Surgery was done to remove the eye. Just when Tonya didn’t think things could get worse she lost her remaining vision in her left eye. As all of this was happening, complications from the surgery meant Tonya would have to have all of her teeth pulled and it took nine months to get her dentures.

“After that, I had given up. I felt like I was wasting everyone’s time for someone who just sits around.” 

Tonya made a desperate call to Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley that saved her life. Together with her support system, a plan of action was in place to help Tonya find her purpose.

She continued to perfect her orientation and mobility training so she could be confident and independent. She began taking art classes and even signed up to volunteer with seniors in the Goodwill Easter Seals adult day services program teaching those with dementia how to do needlepoint.

“It’s fulfilling to be able to do something for someone else,” Tonya said. “I’m amazed I can teach them.” 

In April, Tonya received a guide dog, which meant an independent trip to California and a one-month training class. She returned ready to begin computer training so that she can develop skills to make her more employable.

“I feel much better now that I have my independence. I can do something other than hold a chair to the floor.”