Diagnosed recently with Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), Katherine is partially sighted and lives independently, traveling in her scooter to run errands with the use of a white cane to assist with navigation such as locating curbs. She takes Wheel Trans to her doctor appointments. Katherine enjoys preparing meals and is having adjustments made to her stove to ensure it doesn’t get too hot. She brings someone with her grocery shopping who can read the package labels for her.

“After the diagnosis, my friend suggested that I call CNIB and I thought, 'why didn’t I think of that myself?' My grandfather was blind due to diabetes and they were there for him. They’ve helped me to be able to feel safe getting around my apartment, to be able to put things so I know where to find them, and to be able to get around outside using my to 44 inch cane.”

Finding support

Katherine is very social and enjoys attending CNIB’s New Beginnings peer support group for guidance.

“The most important thing I learned was how to just calm down and take it step by step, because there’s always an answer when you’re learning to live with the loss of sight.  If you haven’t got the answer, you can ask someone if they’ve been through the same problem, and they help you find the answer.”

“The most important thing I learned was how to just calm down and take it step by step, because there’s always an answer when you’re learning to live with the loss of sight. If you haven’t got the answer, you can ask someone if they’ve been through the same problem, and they help you find the answer.”

A self-proclaimed “perfectionist” who hates being late for meetings, Katherine was fitted with a talking watch from the CNIB shop that helps her keep on top of her day’s appointments.

Her optimistic outlook and sense of fun is contagious. “There are six dogs in my apartment building and I have all their Christmas presents ready for them. The dogs adopt me. They always come to me looking for their treats.”

“I can fry an egg.  Michael [CNIB Independent Living Specialist] is coming next week to help make it easier for me to know what’s in my fridge and freezer. He’s a great guy. He makes you comfortable.”

Katherine is currently receiving laser treatments from her doctor.

“It’s not a cure, but if it allows me to keep what vision I still have, it will be great. I have a lot of faith. And that’s the most important thing.”