Stories of eye loss
Peta.
Stories. [See Featured Stories in the sidebar]. Stories about eye loss are personal and intense. Some clients choose to share their stories so that others (who may be uncertain about what lies ahead) can understand things better. In many cases, fear of the unknown is one of the greatest challenges, and actual stories of eye loss help to dispel fear.
One of our ongoing projects is to collect stories from our clients. Some are willing to share their experiences of eye loss with others through our website - all of our stories are available in the sidebar menu, to the right of this page. And we have now started a Portrait Project as well.
Carey
Portraits. A smiling portrait tells a story about eye loss in a way that words just can’t. We have recently started our Portrait Project with Russell Barton, a Master Photographer. We offer a portrait photograph to each of our clients, and where they provide permission we’ll post them on our site. Peta and Kerry are the first two portraits.
Stories of Eye Loss
Ava’s Story. Ava was born with a small eye, and Tracey, Tim and Jai - her famiy - came to grips with Microphthalmia. Ava is still too young to tell her story for herself, so her mother Tracey has written it down.
Jill’s Story. Around Christmas in 1967, Jill’s daughter Janet was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma. This is a parent’s story about a condition that affects children.
Smiley Eye’s Story. A nurse’s outrageous comment helped Mark decide on how to deal with his eye loss. His daughter suggested he should have ’something different’ for his eye, and that is exactly what he did 
Maurie’s Story. Maurie’s incredible story is told with humour, while giving insight into just how tough life can be if you are seen as being a bit different. His story shows the profound influence people can have over others.
Steve’s Story. Steve lost his eye after a physical incident, but it hasn’t kept him from his beloved bikes.
Pat’s Story. In 1992 Pat tripped on the stairs and broke her glasses, leading to the loss of her eye. Pat knows the importance of getting a second opinion if things don’t feel right.
Brian’s Story. At the age of two, Brian lost an eye to retinoblastoma. He describes his sporting childhood with an artificial eye, and his theory that playing sport makes a big difference to hand-eye co-ordination.
Joel’s Story. A freak accident while surfing took young Joel Cooke on an extraordinary journey. In Joel’s words - “I Caught A Wave That Changed My Life”.
Lloyd’s Story. After a work related accident, Lloyd faced a lot of challenges. His positive attitude has helped him move forward, and return to work, driving and his indoor cricket. To Lloyd’s delight, his bowling hasn’t been affected at all. He does admit to some specific batting challenges when the ball is in close to his legs, but hey, just about the entire English cricket team has been there!
Nicole’s Story. Nicole’s daughter Jayde was born with micro-opthalmia. She has partial vision in one eye, but wears two artificial eyes. One has been specially made with a clear section, and Jayde’s overall vision is improved when wearing her artificial eye.
Jan’s Story. After losing one eye to a melanoma of the iris, Jan’s biggest fear was the loss of her other eye. She talks of her experience as a teacher, and how she has adapted in her life.
Sandra’s Story An accident with a wire fence created a new set of challenges at a vulnerable time in Sandra’s life. She describes eye loss from the perspective of a child, a teenager and now as an adult.
Loretta’s Story. Loretta McIntyre was five years old when a specialist visiting her remote community arranged an emergency evacuation to Perth to have her eye removed. Jillian, her mother, tells “A Story About Loretta”.
Alfredo’s Story. Cement dust found its way into Alfredo’s eye at work, ultimately causing the loss of his eye. A doctor’s paperwork had major implications for Alfredo.
James’ Story. James Hargrave describes a teenager’s life with an artificial eye - school, sport, friends and questions.
Heath’s Story. Heath Elkington, father of Saskia, talks about coming to terms with his one year old daughter’s eye loss.
Lars’ Story. Lars Lindberg suggests to us “Why Worry?” Coming from an elderly gentlemen, its an interesting perspective on the impact of eye loss and a reflection that it could be a lot worse.
Alan’s Story. Alan Harrison struggled for a time dealing with the gradual deterioration of his eye. His story “A Changed Outlook” talks about how his outlook changed when he did have his artificial eye fitted.
Peter’s Story. Peter Hackett’s “I Can’t See You” describes the impact of eye loss in his later years, and his partner Berenice talks of the impact on her.
David’s Story. David McKenna’s “Don’t Lose Confidence” talks about confidence issues for young males, and how the insights he gained saved his daughter’s life.
Mike’s Story. Mike Murray has contributed his story “Some Thoughts”, and he talks about some of the practical aspects of taking care of his remaining eye.
Maureen’s Story. Maureen Muskett’s “Its Alright” tells how two people within the same family can respond very differently to eye loss.
Kendall’s Story. Kendall Vincent’s matter of fact story “Don’t Stress” story about losing an eye as an infant has a humorous angle, and describes an interesting prank.
Ailsa’s Story. Ailsa Maley shares her story of “A One Eyed Life”, and how a minor gardening incident led to the loss of her eye. She enjoys challenging people to pick which is her artificial eye, and isn’t afraid of a good wager.
Marjorie’s Story. At the age of 5, Marjorie lost her eye in an accident on a barbed wire fence. Later in life, she tells that her artificial eye is “Just A Part of Me”.
Jean’s Story. Jean Hartz was a young mother with three children when she was diagnosed with a tumour in her eye. Humour and a matter of fact approach to life helped her deal with her eye loss, as she tells her story in “Keep Busy”.
Tim’s Story. Tim was 27 when a surfing accident led to the loss of his eye. For those facing the loss of one eye, Tim suggests you focus on the fact that “You Can Still See”.
Keearn’s Story. Keearne was born with microophthalmia and has had her artificial eye since she was seven months old. She is very clear that she is just a normal girl.
Peter’s Story. Peter Hackett’s “I Can’t See You” describes the impact of eye loss in his later years, and his partner Berenice talks of the impact on her.
Anita’s Story. Anita Gill’s mother stops the bedtime story one night to check her five year old daughter’s sight. What follows is the drama of diagnosis and treatment of Retina Blastoma. Despite all the trauma Anita asserts that “I Have Been Truly Blessed”.
Alex’s Story Like a lot of teenagers Alex and his mates are always trying new things for fun. “The Bomb Was Getting Hotter” tells the story of a holiday project that went horribly wrong.
More stories
For more stories of eye loss visit the Kolberg Ocularist site.
Contributions. If you would like to participate in the portrait project or contribute your story, please contact us using the form below. Telling your story or having your portrait taken is something you might choose to do because it helps clarify your own experience. Or you might want to help those new to eye loss to understand more. You are welcome to participate in the Story or Portrait projects privately and share them with people you choose. You can also offer to share your story or portrait with others through our website (with or without your name). Its a very personal choice, and we welcome your participation whatever you decide.
Got a story to tell?
If you are a current or former client of Paul and Jenny’s and would like to contribute your story, please use the form below.
