As you may know, this is the second year of the Thankfully Reading Weekend Read-A-Thon. I participated last year and I loved it. It was my first read-a-thon. Its usually a great reading weekend for me because my BF always goes to Alabama hunting that week, so I have all the time in the world to read. So I signed up again, however, I didn't get the chance to read as much this time. I did manage to get some reading done yesterday, but only 147 pages. Today I'm hoping to read about as many. Even though I didn't get to read at all Friday, it was worth the time I got to spend with my sister. This year, Thankfully Reading has a different meaning for me . . .
My sister Linda is two years older than me and she suffers from the same hereditary retinal disease that I have but she is further along with it. In the last eight months or so, she has lost 99% of her vision. She has such a strong will and positive attitude that you never see her cry or feel sorry for herself. She is a real inspiration to me. I look at her and I know that I will be where she is in a matter of years. My disease is moving more slowly because I am a non-smoker and have been my whole life, whereas Linda, although not a heavy smoker, has smoked since her early 20's. Since neither of us drive, it is sometimes hard for us to get together since she doesn't live really close to me. However, after dinner on Thursday, she came home with me and spent the night and we stayed up late talking (and eating) and we had such a great time. Now, I am even more proud of her than before. It must be a scary thing to only have 1% of sight but she trudges right along. She lives alone and does very well as long as she's in familiar surroundings. She spent a big part of Friday with me as well and it made for a great holiday.
So even though I didn't get to read Friday, I am even more thankful that I CAN still read my books. I don't read as fast as others and sometimes my eyes get really tired and I have to stop, but I can still see the written pages in front of me. Maybe not as clearly but I can still see it through my cloudy tunnel vision. So this Thanksgiving that is what I'm thankful for. Hopefully next year I will still see well enough to participate in Thankfully Reading again.
You and your sister are both inspirations. I am fully sighted but I still rely heavily on audiobooks, so I hope you know that you will always be able to read.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes, I have used audioboods as well, however, there is nothing like holding a book in your hand and reading from the pages. One day I am sure I'll rely solely on audiobooks. Thank goodness for technology!!
ReplyDeleteThe story you have told about your sister is very moving. It must be frightening and yet heartening to watch your sister lose her sight and yet handle the loss with aplomb.
ReplyDeleteHere's my Sunday Salon post: http://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2010/11/sunday-salon-thankfully-reading-weekend.html
Such an important post for all of us to take to heart ... to be thankful for the ability to read and for the gift of sight.
ReplyDeleteAs Beth F. said, you and your sister are both inspirations.
Both you and your sister are strong, inspiring women. Thanks for your post - it serves as a reminder to be thankful for what we have.
ReplyDeleteI just know that you eyesight will be well enough to participate again next year!!
ReplyDeleteSuch positives attitudes. You are both inspirations to us all.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing about you and your sister, you're both such strong women and a reminder to all of us to be thankful for what we have. Thankfully, technology can help you continue reading!
ReplyDelete