I am NOT a charity case!

Remember when good ol' mom always said "If I've said it once, I've said it a million times!" Well, that applies to my life. So I am going to say it a million and one times I AM NOT A CHARITY CASE! If I need or want your help I will ask for it! I have already taken the first step by calling the Michigan Commission for the Blind. They gave me my cane, gave me Orientation and Mobility Training, bought me an alarm clock, a fire alarm for the hearing impaired, a doorbell, for the hearing impaired, and a few other things. Whenever I need something I call them and they do their best to help me or they point me in the right direction. I love them and cannot imagine my life without them. If you know someone who is legally blind definitely call the Commission for the Blind because there are so many things out there for the Blind that are wonderful!

Do I want to raise awareness in the community about Usher's? Yeah. I think more people need to learn about it and be aware of what it is because it is more common then everyone thinks, but is only HEAR SEE HOPE Foundation Fighting Usher Syndrome. They have many wonderful things on their website and have lots of fundraisers however, they are all in Seattle, Washington.

I am not angry. I have good days and I have bad days, but everyone has those whether they are perfectly healthy or not. I don't want or need sympathy. The most important thing to me right now are my girls and cherishing every moment that I have left to watch them grow up while I still have my vision. Maybe I won't lose it.... most likely I will. We all know that. Gabi knows it, Kairi is learning it, and Bri will learn it. All I can do is teach them how to be there for one another and for me. But the most important thing I can teach them is that vision or no vision I will always love them, that they are the most important people in my life, and that I will be on their side no matter what until the day I die.

So NO I am not a charity case. I expect everyone to treat me as a human being. I may not be able to hear you at times and definitely will not see you if you stand beside me, but if you want to talk to me or ask questions all you have to do is tap me on the shoulder and say "hi." I don't bite. I will talk to you, but remember if you treat me with disrespect then I will do the same. If you ask questions, I will answer them to the best of my ability. If you want to talk, I can still listen... I am not deaf, just hearing impaired. If you want to show me something then show me, I still have vision left.... just not the peripheal.... the cane prevents me from hugging the floor because it loves me! (Thanks Melissa for that.... love it!)

I am not a charity case because I am a human being!