The Next Chapter

Jean Groff has written her memoir, but she realized her life was starting a new chapter seven years ago when she was diagnosed with macular degeneration. A very religious person, Jean trusted that God would show her what to do. Thanks to your support of VisionCorps, her prayers were answered; she feels guided, every step of the way.

Last year, Jean and Marlin, her husband of 54 years, moved into Pleasant View Retirement Community. “My vision was changing rapidly, and I didn’t want my husband to have to be my nurse, taxi, counselor and caregiver.” They lead a busy life, active in their church and go to monthly meetings, prayer meetings and dinners. They get together with family and participate in community activities. Jean also does one-on-one Bible studies with several women. If she Serving Adams, Chester, Lancaster, Lebanon and York Counties learns that someone has trouble seeing, she asks them: “Have you called VisionCorps yet?”

VisionCorps provides the tools and training so that Jean can make the best use of her remaining vision. An avid reader, she borrows 15 audiobooks at a time on cassette from the Library of Congress. She places a piece of plexiglass over her Bible to protect the thin pages from getting creased as she glides her portable video magnifier over the text. During meetings, she takes notes using a Sharpie on a bold-lined pad. “They showed me how to enlarge text on the computer I share with my husband,” she said, “and they put raised dots on my appliance dials.”

“When you have low vision, people either assume you can see and don’t need any help, or that you can’t do anything yourself,” Jean said. With help from VisionCorps, she is learning to communicate her needs effectively. “It confuses people when I look at them and fail to recognize them. Others don’t understand that I’m wearing a visor because glare hurts, not because I’m trying to look cute.” As she faces the challenges of this next life chapter, Jean is grateful to be part of a supportive team: “VisionCorps, the Lord, Marlin, and I are going through this together.”