Coming Into Focus

One year ago, my life changed.

On January 24, 2025, I learned that I would be going blind.

I knew something wasn’t right when I walked into my appointment at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Still, because my ophthalmologist of over twenty years had consistently reassured me it wasn’t retinitis pigmentosa, the condition my brother has, I didn’t know what I was facing. I felt there was something, but I didn’t have a name for it.

When the diagnosis came back, I was shocked. And at the same time, there was an undeniable sense of I knew it. I left that appointment in a daze, carrying a labyrinth of emotions that are still difficult to fully explain. That day quietly set a series of changes in motion, decisions that would reshape how I understand myself and how I move through the world.

One of those decisions was the creation of Blindish in Miami.

So many things I once thought were quirks now make sense. I see how my body and mind have been adapting for years, finding workarounds long before I understood why. There’s clarity in finally knowing. Now, with awareness, I can move forward intentionally, setting up my life and surroundings to support me, rather than pushing through on autopilot. I can lean into the strengths I’ve always had while learning how to navigate new limitations with honesty and grace.

I don’t know exactly what life has in store for me. But I do know that I’m meant to help people in some way, and I hope this platform does that, by sharing, connecting, and reminding others they aren’t alone in their own transitions.

It’s been quite a year. In some ways, I feel like a different person. In others, I’m still very much the same old me. I’m deeply grateful for those who have walked beside me, who supported me, lifted me up, and even laughed with me when laughter was exactly what I needed.

I’m not alone. And that is a wonderful thing.