Living Alone

By vickibegood

1 min read

My story is that I am so full of questions. I live by myself and I don’t have any family or even extended family. Will I be able to live alone? Could someone connect with me and share their story of living alone with macular degeneration, specifically maculopathy. I’m terrified.

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Cora Lyn Sears Moderator
Welcome back, <inline-mention user-id="3139781" username="vickibegood"/> . I hope some of our great community members will chime in here with their own stories. A few years ago, I moved into town to be on a bus route, and in a more walkable place in case I couldn’t drive. That took a huge worry off my mind! How advanced is your maculophy? I have a friend who can barely see light and dark (not AMD) who still lives alone, so know that we‘ll be ok if we do lose our central vision. She’s an inspiration : <a href="https://maculardegeneration.net/living/hope" target="_blank" rel="ugc">https://maculardegeneration.net/living/hope</a>. Please come back again and let us know how you’re doing. Cora Lyn, (MacularDegeneration.net Team Member)
1. Sonia Dattaray Community Admin
 Hi there <inline-mention user-id="3139781" username="vickibegood"/> , questions and community are so important to managing a macular degeneration diagnosis, so I'm glad you've joined our community here at <a href='https://maculardegeneration.net' target='_blank'>https://maculardegeneration.net</a> . As Cora and Andrea said, you can live alone with macular degeneration. I wanted to chime in and send you an article that was published earlier this week that you might find encouraging <a href='https://maculardegeneration.net/living/independent-living' target='_blank'>https://maculardegeneration.net/living/independent-living</a> . Keeping you in my thoughts, Sonia, <a href='https://maculardegeneration.net' target='_blank'>https://maculardegeneration.net</a> Team Member
2. vickibegood Member
 Dear Cora, Thank you for responding to my story. I am doing better. I saw a specialist in Atlanta yesterday and he helped me address some of my fears.
Andrea Junge Moderator
Hello, <inline-mention user-id="3139781" username="vickibegood"/> . It hurts my heart to hear that you're feeling so terrified and confused. Please know that here, you are never alone and we are more than happy to help you in any way we can. You're in the right place. Also, your feelings are more than okay, as we all experience similar difficult emotions when diagnosed with a disease accompanied by severe vision loss. I don't personally live alone, but I am a single mom of two young children so I can really relate to your worries. It is possible to live alone! We just have to adjust our homes to what works for us. For example, I know where EVERYTHING in my home is and I have nightlights scattered throughout almost every room and hallway in my home. You just have to know yourself, your needs, and trust your gut. As you're waiting for other community members to share their experiences with here, I'd like to link a few articles that may be of some help to you <a href="https://maculardegeneration.net/living/spread-awareness" target="_blank">https://maculardegeneration.net/living/spread-awareness</a> . Please continue to reach out if we can help you further with support or knowledge on a topic. We have so many wonderful articles in our database that you can find via the search tool at the top of your screen (it looks like a magnifying glass). Sending virtual hugs your way and wishing you well. -Andrea, (MacularDegeneration.net Team Member)
doggymom Member
Hi, I feel your frelings. Do you have any neighbors or church people you could call?Even a mature high school or college person who could help out, possibly even if you had to pay them a little something.
1. vickibegood Member
 Yes, I rely heavily on my church! They have been extremely helpful.
Linda Hoopes Moderator
One thing I learned and know for sure is that the fear of the future with MD is far worse than the reality. With knowledge and support, we get past the fear and know we can overcome any challenge. As for living alone, I live in a community of 55+ with many living alone with macular degeneration. They have made adjustments and are living very active, productive lives. It’s different but certainly possible. I am inspired by them and have plans to do a series of videos of them, soon to be published - Stay tuned for inspiration! Hugs💜Linda Hoopes, Advocate