Embracing New Health Conditions: My Personal Journey.

Life’s challenges, especially as we age, can be daunting. Adding a new health condition to existing disabilities can seem overwhelming. In my case, the onset of new health conditions, such as double Glaucoma in both eyes and a cataract in my left eye, significantly altered my daily life. However, it also sparked a journey of resilience and adaptation, a testament to the human spirit’s ability to overcome.

My first disability is deafness, with a lowercase ‘d’ as my first language is English. I’ve spent a significant amount of time in the hearing society, but I was once an active member of the Deaf community. As I’ve travelled to many countries and pursued my university degree, I’ve learned to navigate and adapt to different communities. This has often felt like living in two worlds, each with its own unique and sometimes challenging, but always rewarding, experiences.

My personal life is guided by simplicity, faith, independence, and frugality. I live with my hearing partner and three dogs in a rural home outside Hamilton. This companionship and love have brought immense joy and comfort into my life. I’ve come to see my multiple disabilities not as a burden but as a gift from God, a test of my resilience at 60 years old.

For many years, I was not aware of developing any health conditions as I am a deaf person fitted into the community without any problems. You or I can not imagine or fathom any challenge through daily life when developing a chronic or mild health condition, even an unexpected accident involving a Skyfall, a car accident, or catching a severe infection. You and I can not give up; the essential tools are looking around something that needs to change/adapt objects at work and home, learning to accept the new health condition, working around making more accessible and improvising tools/equipment, or asking for your partner, family members, friends even staff. I know there is a catch – financial and funding from Te Whatu Ora/Health New Zealand, Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora (Ministry of Social Development) despite the Government deciding to cut the financing, which was a bitter blow for everyone, including me, in 2024. However, the unwavering support from these systems and people has been a constant source of reassurance and strength.

I am juggling times, preparing interviews, scanning old newspapers and photos and financial needs for two projects. My new health condition forces me to put things on hold occasionally by allowing me to drive out for interviews and work on projects on the desktop with tight finances. Not many past Deaf members/students have responded or given me videos of their past experiences/memories. I am willing to go ahead with short stories as best I can without waiting for past Deaf members/students.

My mother suggested I write about my journey with multiple disabilities for readers through my WordPress site and a book. Here is the start of this page for linking posts.