A Different Kind of Eyesight

Myrna’s Story

“I see things now that I didn’t see before I lost my vision.”

Myrna grew up in a Hispanic community in the small town of Moline Illinois, the home of the “John Deere Harvester.”  Her Dad worked for John Deere and was one of the only people who could read and write English in her community growing up.  Although her dad was tough and their relationship was strained, he instilled a strong work ethic in Myrna.

 When Myrna was a teenager, she was diagnosed with adult type 2 diabetes.  Her doctor told her if she didn’t lose weight, she wouldn’t live to see 30.  She worked hard to keep the diabetes under control with insulin shots and taking the necessary steps to lose the weight. 

Myrna got married right out of high school and had a son.  She went to work right away so she could provide for her family.  At age 30 her life was turned upside down when she went through a divorce.  She fell into a major depression.  She stopped taking care of herself and began stress eating.  Her diabetes attacked with a vengeance and one day she woke up with no sight in her left eye.  The optic nerve was detached.  She went to the doctor, and they said her diabetes caused the sight loss and could possibly cause her kidneys to fail.  She had surgery right away to attach the nerve back to her left eye and within two weeks it detached again and then in another two weeks she lost sight in her right eye.  She immediately started back on the insulin shots and eating right but it was too late for her eyesight. 

When Myrna lost her vision, she had to quit work.  She was missing so much with all the surgeries and doctor visits.  This was especially hard for Myrna because she has always provided for herself and her son.  She couldn’t provide for him any longer.  She didn’t know where to turn.  She didn’t know there was support through Social Security Disability benefits.  She loved working and paying her own way.  At this point she was draining her savings and wasn’t sure what to do.  She moved out of her home into an apartment near her parents.  Her mom came and cooked for her and her son.  Her parents drove her to all her appointments.  While grateful for their help she struggled with feelings of hopelessness.  She was once fiercely independent and now felt so helpless.

One evening Myrna turned on the TV and a documentary on Mother Teresa came on.  Mother Teresa was in Africa visiting aids patients.  One of the patients asked, “why would God forsake me like this?”  Mother Teresa answered, “At the time of your sickest that’s when God’s love is the closest.”   Myrna started praying a lot and drawing strength from her relationship with God.  Doors began to open and blessings began to come.  Her eyes opened in a whole new way.  She could see her dad differently; their relationship began to heal and was eventually restored.  She could see her son differently and with all the time she was now spending at home she saw needs he had that she missed before.  She was able to address those needs and care for him in a deeper way.  Their relationship became stronger than ever before.  She was also able to finally get some assistance through Social Security Disability benefits.  Things were looking up.

Then at age 37 her kidneys began to be affected by the diabetes.  She had to go on dialysis and the waiting list for a new kidney.  While she was at dialysis, she met another lady who was blind from diabetes.  She told Myrna who to contact with her state about resources for blind people.  She reached out to her state vocational rehabilitation counselor and found out about World Services for the Blind.  Myrna waited to come to WSB until she could have her kidney transplant.  She got her new kidney during the covid year of 2020.  With the new kidney she had to wait an entire year before she could be around people.  Finally in January of 2021 she arrived on campus. 

Myrna started in the prevocational life skills training to learn assistive technology.  She wanted to learn how to use a cell phone and computer now that she is visually impaired.  Once she finished the prevocational program, she decided to take the medical billing training we offer.  She picked this program because there will always be a need for medical billers and through her research found that jobs in this field are available where you can work remotely. 

Part of the comprehensive vocational training programs at WSB include employment prep and job placement.  The staff was able to help Myrna secure an internship at Med Evolve.  She graduated from the medical billing program October 2022 and Med Evolve hired her to work for them full-time.  Her new salary will allow her to come off the Disability benefits and become an independent provider again.  Her son is now an adult with a great job, he owns his own home and is engaged to be married.  Myrna sees all the blessings that have come through this tragic situation and God’s love has been closer than ever before.  Myrna will return to her hometown to be near her son and work remotely.  She has a new career and can see a bright future ahead.