Amanda was 17 and in the 10th grade of high school when she began seeing flashes and experiencing blurriness with her vision. Tests revealed no medical issues with her eyes. However, other tests discovered a buildup of fluid in her lungs and behind the discs of her eyes, causing swelling and pressure on her eyes. Further tests confirmed a diagnosis of Hyperactive Eosinophilia Syndrome. A craniotomy was performed to allow necessary space for her brain, but it ended up leaving Amanda with tunnel vision in her left eye and blurriness in her right eye. As Amanda continued to experience further vision issues, she was hospitalized for two months while the medical team conducted tests to diagnose and treat her medical condition. During this time, she was forced to miss going to her daily classes. It was during this time that she was diagnosed with Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension. This condition required a catheter to be inserted in her head to drain and prevent fluid buildup behind her eyes.
Due to the failure of her high school to forward the necessary transcripts while being hospitalized, Amanda was unable to enroll as a student in the hospital education program. After becoming frustrated with the education system and the challenges of managing her medical condition, Amanda made the difficult decision to drop out of high school.
Jacqueline made me feel like I was home, and I knew immediately that I was in the right place. She made me feel like I actually belonged with Lighthouse Guild."
Amanda, Client
The Journey Towards a Diploma
The trauma of losing her vision was difficult for Amanda to grasp, causing her always to feel unhappy and depressed. “After living my life with perfect vision, and then to suddenly lose it, that has been difficult for me to accept and to manage,” said Amanda. As time passed, saddened that she had been forced to drop out of school before receiving her diploma, Amanda decided it was time for her to prepare for the Graduate Equivalency Degree (GED) examination. A Board of Education (BOE) staff member suggested to her that the New York State Commission for the Blind (NYSCB) could provide her with assistance.
Once she reached out, they connected Amanda with the Catholic Guild for the Blind, where she did well on the academic assessment and began receiving training services from the organization until it permanently closed a few months later due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Before its closing, they connected Amanda with Lighthouse Guild’s Academic Program Senior Academic Instructor, Jacqueline Suh. When thinking back about Jacqueline’s assistance during that time, Amanda said, “I was nervous once I was accepted to the Academic Program until my first interaction with Jacqueline. Jacqueline explained that I would be studying with other students just like me. She made me feel like I was home, and I knew immediately that I was in the right place. Jacqueline made me feel like I actually belonged with Lighthouse Guild.”
Amanda has done exceptionally well since coming to Lighthouse Guild toward the end of 2021. She has passed the Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) Reading and Writing exams, and last year, she passed the GED Social Studies and Science exams. Amanda said, “Once I found out I passed those subjects, I was prouder of myself than I’ve ever been. I did something for myself that I never thought I could do. I actually cried when I received my results.” The only subject remaining for Amanda to pass is Math. Once doing so, she will be prepared to take the GED exam in September or October 2024.
Lighthouse Guild Staff
Of course, Amanda feels that Jacqueline has been a big part of her journey and has had more of a history with Jacqueline than anyone else at Lighthouse Guild. Amanda said, “I have so much respect for Jacqueline because she’s been there for me since the beginning. She knows what I’ve gone through on my journey, and she provided me with the encouragement I needed to go back to school. I could not have accomplished this without her assistance.”
Academic Instructor Gabriella Oldham prepared Amanda for the Reading, Writing, Science, and Social Studies skills. Amanda said, “Gabriella inspired me to do better for myself. She took the time to get to know me despite all the things that were going on in my life. She kept me focused and determined, and she never allowed me to lose sight of what was important.” Academic Instructor Theresa Chinheya is Amanda’s Math instructor. When reflecting on Theresa’s assistance, Amanda said, “Theresa has been by far the best Math teacher I’ve ever encountered. You will not find a math teacher on her level in any public school. She takes the time to teach you, she does not rush you, and she makes sure you have mastered the current lesson before moving on to another.”
Advice on GED Training
Amanda said, “Other than Lighthouse Guild’s Academic Program, I don’t know of any other GED program that specializes in training for people who have a vision impairment. However, I would caution anyone with a vision impairment that there is a lot of reading and visuals involved, but if they go in with a positive approach and do not allow themselves to be too cautious, they can do it. I would also recommend that anyone with a vision impairment have a reader assist them with reading the material.”
Mobility and Vision Rehabilitation
While preparing for the GED, Amanda also managed to take advantage of other services and programs that Lighthouse Guild offers. Orientation & Mobility and Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Jeffrey Ambury came to Amanda’s home and provided her with mobility training — teaching her how to effectively use the white cane, how to safely go up and down stairs, and helping her to become more familiar and comfortable when walking around in her neighborhood. He also provided her with an extensive list of devices, including a small telescope, lamp, contrast glasses, a cutting board with contrast, and magnifying glasses. Amanda said, “I was very happy I had someone like Jeffrey to work with. He was very patient with me, and he also showed my husband how to accommodate and navigate a visually impaired person safely. Jeffrey gave me a greater sense of independence.”
Amanda’s Advice
Amanda shares, “When living with a disability, although it can cause you to feel depressed and hopeless at various times in your life, it’s important to know that your disability does not have to define you as a person, and it does not make you any less of a person. If ever feeling the opposite, remember not to allow your disability to get in the way of making the most out of the abilities that you do have. It’s important that we look forward and that we find new things that we can do to help make us feel positive about ourselves and things that allow us to feel happy and know we have a purpose.
Join our Mission
Lighthouse Guild is dedicated to providing exceptional services that inspire people who are visually impaired to attain their goals.
