[Now Closed] It's Giveaway Time!

By MacularDegeneration.net

1 min read

The September 2026 Giveaway is now closed. Thank you for your interest!

Here at MacularDegeneration.net, we want to thank our wonderful community members for another year of sharing knowledge and supporting each other in all of our unique condition journeys.

In the spirit of staying active and staying safe with low vision, we're excited to gift 1 lucky winner a set of VANTRAILY Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles. Trekking poles like these can help people with low vision maintain not only their physical health, but also their mental health. See how Sharon Moore, one of our Community Health Leaders, uses trekking poles as part of her regular exercise regimen in this article: Staying Safe With Geographic Atrophy.

Enter to win

The September 2026 Giveaway is now closed. Thank you for your interest!

The giveaway ends on Friday, September 18, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. The winner will be notified via email. The winner has 48 hours to claim their prize before an alternate winner will be selected. For more information, please read our Terms & Conditions.

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Lori.FosterCommunity Admin
Hi <inline-mention username="cctgene" user-id="3113936"/>. That must have been so scary. I'm glad it wasn't a stroke. I've had a few friends who have developed Bell's palsy. Thankfully, it resolved for each of them with time. I hope your case is short-lived and that you recover fully. Bell's palsy shouldn't have any impact on your macular degeneration treatment, but we're not medical experts, so it would be best to confirm that with your doctor. Is there a portal that allows you to send a message? If so, that might be the quickest and easier way to get a definitive answer. Please keep us updated on your condition. I'll be thinking of you. - Lori (Team Member)
cctgeneMember
I’m in my mid‑eighties and have wet macular degeneration in both eyes. I’m currently on a 10‑week injection schedule. A few days ago, I woke up with what appeared to be complete paralysis on the left side of my face. Fearing a stroke, I immediately sought medical attention and was diagnosed with something I had never heard of—Bell’s palsy. Because of this condition, I’m no longer able to close my left eyelid. Has anyone experienced something like this, and how did it affect your ongoing macular degeneration treatment?
blovely09Member
My AMD has impacted travel in that I have to take shorter trips now to accommodate getting the shots. I used to travel full time going from place to place and staying 2-3 months in each place. Now I have to have a home base in which to live and get treatments from a retina specialist I like. Believe me they are not all the same. One opthalmologist in Greenville SC didn't even numb my eyes before injections!! So knowing the doctor and their procedure is imperative. Now I take shorter, less frequent trips.
Lori.FosterCommunity Admin
Welcome to the community, <inline-mention username="CommunityMember5e1f5e" user-id="10196591"/>! I'm glad you found us, especially give how you are feeling right now. My heart goes out to you. I'm sure I would be scared as well. Do you have much support? Is there anyone you can talk to, openly and honestly, about your fear? Are you still getting treatment? There are so many assistive and adaptive tools available now that can help people adjust to vision loss and continue to live life fully. Have you made any changes in your home that make it easier to get around and get things done? If you are able to read it, here is a wonderful article about coping with vision loss that you might find helpful: https://maculardegeneration.net/coping. I hope your progression slows and that you are able to maintain the vision you have. Please know we're here for you whenever you need us. Thinking of you and sending the best of all wishes your way. - Lori (Team Member)
CommunityMember5e1f5eMember
I'm almost blind and find it very scarey