Patience and compassion are key when it comes to weathering a storm together.
Thatās according to Ā鶹AV couple Pauline and Jim Marshall.
Over the years, Jim developed glaucoma, which he had been able to manage well. But then three years ago, he suddenly lost his vision while on a trip to California with his wife Pauline.
āI think the hardest part was that it happened so suddenly. Weāre both avid cyclists and in January (2017), we were doing really well cycling. Then Jim developed a red-eye and by February, he could no longer drive,ā Pauline said.
At first, it felt like they went through all the stages of grief, Pauline explained.
āAt one point, we were told that Jimās vision would not be restoredā¦but we kept saying to our ophthalmologist, āNo, weāre not going to believe this.ā
āAnd so we started a journey of hope and change and adapting and trying to figure out what our new norm was going to be.
āAnd thatās where we are now.ā
Jim said it was difficult and isolating in the beginning. Despite the diagnosis that he wonāt have any vision at all, he is still able to see.
He described his remaining vision as like looking through wax paper, and the world beyond it looking like shadows.
āAs a husband and a father, youāre always wanting to do things. Youāve got the driving, youāve got to take care of your family, youāve got all that and thatās taken away from you in an instant,ā he said.
āBut once you realize this is your reality, you start to ask, āWhat can I do and how can I do it?ā
āBecause everything can be done. Everything I did before, I can still do now.ā
He may not be able to see the way he did before, but he can adapt and do the things he used to do but with a little more patience and help from Pauline.
Since he canāt read things on the computer screen or his tablet anymore, he uses apps and functions that read items out loud to him.
He has a specialized magnifying glass with a light that helps him read printed items.
And then thereās his wife.
āJim chose not to have a seeing-eye dog. And we always joke that Iām his guide dog. Heās still very independent, so we try and cook together, but he can still help with preparation,ā Pauline said.
Whenever theyāre in a crowded or unfamiliar place, Pauline helps Jim navigate.
As avid cyclists before Jimās vision loss, the couple didnāt want to also lose their sense of outdoor adventure, so they purchased a tandem bike.
Pauline steers and Jim is the muscle behind the pedal.
āWe have always been a team. We worked together, travelled together, and weāre still a team,ā she added.
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