Living With Wolfram Syndrome – Lauren Gibilisco

The Ups and Downs of Vision Loss

My week turned out to be quite eventful.  I am going to give you the ups and downs of vision loss.

It all started out when I knocked some sense into myself.  Inside the house I do not use my cane.  I went to go turn off the television and thought I was walking towards the light.  Unfortunately I didn’t see the wall in front of me and ran smack into it.  It knocked me right on my butt.  I went downstairs to show my mom my mouth.  I didn’t know but I had blood running down my face.  I had split my lip all the way back to the gum. My lower lip had teeth impressions where I bit down.   My upper lip was already starting to get a fat lip.  I am very fortunate that I did not knock out any teeth or break my nose.  So I had my mom take a picture and send it to my phone.  Three days later when I went to work I showed everyone my pictures.  They asked how did I do that.  My reply was I was standing outside and a large bird ran into me beak first.  I couldn’t believe that several people actually believed that.  My mom told everyone that I was fine because I am still able to talk.

My sister came home from Omaha for the weekend.  She brought her new puppy home for us to see.  She is a shorkie.  Her mom was a shih ti and her dad a yorkie.  Her name is Emmy.  This puppy is little.  She only weighs two pounds and will only grow to be five pounds.  I do not like animals much but I have grown fond of this puppy.  She loves to play and I love that I can play with her even though I can’t see her.  The only problem I have is that I worry about stepping on her.  She loves to run beside me when I leave a room.  So if she is going to be around me she will just have to learn not to walk in front of me.

My sister wanted to show off the puppy to her best friend. We drove to her house.  Luckily her brother came over to visit also.  Zach and I have been best friends since we were little.  He is getting married in July.  He wanted me to be a part of the wedding and asked me if I would like to be in charge of the guest book.  I asked him if I had to sign people’s names and he said no.  Zach said I would be like a greeter.  I think the job is perfect.  I just get to sit there looking lovely and greet people as they come in.  Perfect job for someone who likes to talk.

So for a week that I thought would be boring turned out to be quite exciting.  That just teaches you that losing your vision doesn’t mean your life will stop. So you never know what is going to jump in front of you….even if it’s a wall.