Part of Something: Kelly’s Low-Vision Story with FAFTB

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When Kelly first talked to Kurt Deichmann, president of First Aid for the Blind, he told her stories about blind people skiing, traveling, and going on grand adventures.

"If they can do it, I can do it,” she said.

Kelly is no stranger to the world of disabilities and handicaps. She was born with hearing loss and struggled to navigate childhood being different from others

Then, as an adult, she started experiencing vision loss. When she went to a doctor, she asked, “How can I see, but not see?” She was diagnosed with Usher Syndrome Type II.

"Never would have thought I'd go from my hearing loss disability to having another disability. It was kind of a shocker,” she said, adding, “Helen Keller was my hero as a kid before I even knew I'd be like her!”

Kelly still has some vision, but her sight will likely worsen over time.

"It's a roller coaster,” she said concerning her emotions regarding vision loss. “It’s little things like being outside and seeing the trees. I remember how they used to look. I still see them, but I see them differently. I don't see all the details. I see the outline."

She said that the way things used to look is still in her memory, and she grieves her sight while trying to be optimistic.

Now, having taken the First Aid for the Blind training, Kelly says that FAFTB has helped improve her self-esteem.

“Their positive outlook on things rubs off on you,” she said.

During her training, Kelly enjoyed learning about VoiceOver, Be My Eyes, and kitchen accessibility and safety adaptations. She is now looking forward to trying the Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses, something recommended by FAFTB.

“[The program] was really intensive, and it was more hands-on than I ever anticipated,” Kelly said. “There was so much information to cover. It's learning how to do things in a different way - but it’s for everything!”

Kelly appreciated the fact that the FAFTB teams used their own experiences to provide compassionate support and to inform their curriculum structure and their product recommendations.

“There is so much out there,” she said. “The biggest thing is that they've gone through it themselves. They are knowledgeable about these tools, and they use them themselves! That's the greatest teacher you can have! They have the greatest of resources.”

Overall, Kelly valued the structure of FAFTB program. She was grateful for the scheduling flexibility, the customized recordings to review her lessons, and, most importantly, the people.

“[My trainer Brian] was personable,” she said. “I got to know him on a friend level. He didn't have to be. It was just cool. I was looking forward to doing these meetings and taking in all the knowledge.”

Now, Kelly is using her new skills and perspectives in her role as a mother.

“Being a mom and taking care of the kids and doing things that moms do, and then trying to think about what I'm going to do - it's a lot!” she said.

Kelly is currently working with her kids on minimizing clutter and making sure the things she uses are always in the correct spot. She is also finding adaptive ways to play games and do family movie nights with audio descriptions.

From her training with FAFTB, Kelly said she appreciates the sense of community she feels. She is amazed by how many supports are available, from people and programs to devices and technology.

Specifically for low-vision folks like herself, Kelly advises people to try the FAFTB training early on. 

"It's good to do it earlier, so you can work ahead,” she said. “I think that is really important. That way, you have time to make some of the changes that will help you in the future."

For all newcomers to First Aid for the Blind, Kelly offers additional advice.

“Tell them what you are wanting and what you are needing,” she said. “They have all the resources. It's so cool. You become their friends. You become a part of something."