My career as a medical records professional and my life with diabetes began the same summer in 1964. Both co-existed relatively peacefully until I began to experience diabetic complications; diabetic retinopathy in both eyes, peripheral neuropathy in my feet and hands and autonomic neuropathy of the colon took their toll. While laser treatment of the retinopathy preserved my central vision, it has left me with night blindness and loss of all peripheral vision. Medications (lots of them!) control other symptoms with only an occasional breakthrough of major dimension.
The loss of peripheral vision significantly decreased my ability to rapidly read/scan medical records, a core skill in my chosen profession. I could no longer continue to participate in the career I had loved for more than twenty years. Having been formally declared disabled by the Social Security Administration, I began college as a first-semester freshman, assisted and encouraged by the Department of Services for the Blind.
Now 10+ years have passed and I have a Masters' Degree in Organizational Leadership. I began working in the disability arena while a college student and now operate my own business (U Centered Solutions) as an Independent Living Advocate and Leadership Consultant. My work goals focus on helping people with disabilities recognize their own voices and abilities to become leaders in our communities and in their own emancipation.
I strongly believe that people with disabilities have the capacity to accomplish whatever they desire as long as they are willing to work towards and take responsibility for their dreams and goals. They must, however, be welcomed and valued in our communities and have access to resources and services that will allow them to maximize their own unique skills and talents.
My career as a medical records professional and my life with diabetes began the same summer in 1964. Both co-existed relatively peacefully until I began to experience diabetic complications; diabetic retinopathy in both eyes, peripheral neuropathy in my feet and hands and autonomic neuropathy of the colon took their toll. While laser treatment of the retinopathy preserved my central vision, it has left me with night blindness and loss of all peripheral vision. Medications (lots of them!) control other symptoms with only an occasional breakthrough of major dimension.
The loss of peripheral vision significantly decreased my ability to rapidly read/scan medical records, a core skill in my chosen profession. I could no longer continue to participate in the career I had loved for more than twenty years. Having been formally declared disabled by the Social Security Administration, I began college as a first-semester freshman, assisted and encouraged by the Department of Services for the Blind.
Now 10+ years have passed and I have a Masters' Degree in Organizational Leadership. I began working in the disability arena while a college student and now operate my own business (U Centered Solutions) as an Independent Living Advocate and Leadership Consultant. My work goals focus on helping people with disabilities recognize their own voices and abilities to become leaders in our communities and in their own emancipation.
I strongly believe that people with disabilities have the capacity to accomplish whatever they desire as long as they are willing to work towards and take responsibility for their dreams and goals. They must, however, be welcomed and valued in our communities and have access to resources and services that will allow them to maximize their own unique skills and talents.
