After a stroke and other health issues left Linda legally blind, she turned to a social worker at Cleveland Sight Center who introduced her to the Transitional Life Counseling program (TLC). “I was very afraid and in a bad place at the time. But becoming part of the TLC program really helped me as I quickly found out I wasn’t alone.” TLC, a support group for those experiencing vision loss, provides a setting to share success stories, tactics, information, and other resources. Topics of discussion include living with low vision, common eye diseases, family issues, and depression. A direct result of her participation in TLC, Linda has become more proactive in her daily living. “Going back to CSC is like a lifeline for me. It gives me a lot of hope and inspiration. When I’m in the building, I don’t feel like I have blindness. I am able to stay on top of things, be safe, and be available for someone who needs a listening ear. I love to cook, sing, dance, write, and exercise. Because of Cleveland Sight Center, I am able to further my life and have a more fulfilling life.”

Through the TLC program, Linda has learned skills to improve her life and is now a resource for others. She volunteers in CSC’s Share the Vision Peer Mentoring Program, a program that gives new clients the opportunity to connect with trained volunteers over the phone to discuss the anxieties and fears associated with vision loss. Clients receive experience, support, education, and insight on how to adjust to losing their eyesight. Says Linda, “I can do anything. I just do it differently.”

To learn more about CSC's programs and services, click here.