My Story
Hey there! I'm Bob, and I grew up in State College, PA. My life took a major turn in 1983 when, at 20 years old, I lost my sight due to a hunting accident with a shotgun. The accident destroyed the retina in my right eye and severely damaged my left one. Now, with the help of a strong contact lens, thick magnification glasses, electronic magnification devices, and other vision aids, I have a visual acuity of 20/200. If you're curious, there's an image of my "good" retina on the homepage of this website.
In the early days after the accident, I was dealing with a lot of emotional and physical challenges. It was then that I found group therapy, thanks to Rana Arnold, who founded the Sight-Loss Support Group of Central Pennsylvania. Through these sessions, I learned that resilience starts with talking to professionals who've been through similar experiences.
Resilient Vision
Over the past 40+ years, I've had my share of ups and downs living with low vision in a world built for those with sight. But I've picked up a lot of tricks along the way—everything from using public transportation and para-transit services to air and interstate bus travel and getting the hang of various low-vision aids. I've also mastered techniques for navigating around the house, white cane training, and getting around streets and traffic. Plus, I've become pretty savvy with different analog and digital communication aids. Sharing these experiences with others has been incredibly rewarding.
In early 2024, I decided to make it official and become a consultant for those dealing with sight loss and visual impairment. I believe that no one should go through this alone and that sharing hope and experiences can be incredibly healing. I'm here to offer support, guidance, and a bit of my journey to help others find their way to independence and confidence.
