Articles & news

Thanks to brilliant and visionary men and women, like those at PRRF, and the wonderful services PRRF provides, we will always have new opportunities and innovations to aid us in living with low vision or blindness.

There seems to be something about twins that never fails to draw intrigued glances and the question, “Identical or fraternal?” Some claim it is that famed “twin telepathy,” others their shared birthday, age, and grade in school, and still others the relative rarity of birthing multiples. But being a twin myself—and one in especially unique circumstances—I know that the bond I share with my twin sister means more to me than any of this. 

I was fifteen. It was the first day of my freshman year of high school. I was nervous, overwhelmed, and stressed out. I wasn't confident in finding my way around quite yet. My name is Jules, and I am blind.

Tanis has never let his blindness prevent him from moving up the fish ladder of life. He learns from every experience and uses each opportunity to set himself up for climbing to the next level. He also looks behind to pull others up along the way as he did in the blind and visually impaired program at East Grand Rapids Public Schools.

The Roman poet Horace once said, “Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant.” Ever since I stumbled across this quote in my English class, I have contemplated its meaning and all the ways in which it relates to me.

Recognizing that everyone’s situation is different, I share with you how these words have inspired me with the hope that others may find some inspiration in them, too.

Miles has been swimming up the Fish Ladder of Life since the very beginning. He continues to rise up the ladder to higher waters; Miles is still on his journey and he is lending his gifts of expression for all of us to enjoy and look at in amazing wonder! Every time one looks at one of his paintings, the individual leaves with a different interpretation, not only of what message the painter is trying to convey, but also what we, as observers, interpret in his creativity.

Despite laser treatment at 3 months of age, Michael and Elizabeth’s ROP progressed at a very aggressive rate and multiple surgeries were performed on each child during the first fifteen years of their lives.  Despite best efforts, both have only light perception vision with no ability to read the printed word.  The lack of vision was the largest fish ladder that both had to negotiate in their early years, but, like the fish trying to make their way home, both children had a fierce determination to excel and external support. 

Jules is a delightful young woman and an inspiration to all who live with vision problems. Despite being visually impaired, she continues to move on with her life, learning in every possible way with an appreciation for the aids that help her navigate the world.

As soon as we faced the realization that Juliana would live a life of complete darkness, our first worry was how she would be able to go to school. I’ll never forget the sweet kisses and cuddles I gave her, rocking her while whispering in her ear, “I will never let you down!” I was determined to never break that promise to her because I knew that as her mom, I would be her biggest cheerleader and advocate!