SHE SEES

Forty-five year old “Marge” was recently diagnosed with a rare leukemia. She stated that only ten people in the United States have this type of cancer. She underwent chemotherapy without success. Marge is aware that there is no more treatment and has come onto hospice.  Marge has been blind since birth.  When she was a toddler she could see shadows and light.  As an adult she only sees darkness. 

Marge lives with her significant other, “Jeff”. Jeff also is blind, but is as capable as Marge. They have been together six years living in Marge’s small duplex apartment. Jeff and Marge walk around their home with ease. I was amazed at how they interacted with each other and with guests. They both listen attentively to your voice and give you eye contact.

Neither see themselves as handicapped. They rely on their computer which has a scanner and can be voice activated. It takes Marge about ninety minutes to go through their daily mail which they have accepted as a fact of life. Neither complains about their situation. They will sit together and hold hands, grateful to have each other.

They have family around, but the two of them are more self sufficient than many sighted people. With Marge’s new cancer diagnosis, Jeff’s biggest concern is Marge’s dignity. Marge worried about being in pain. I reassured both of them that hospice is all about comfort care and our nurses, along with the doctors, do an amazing job of keeping patients pain free. I assured Jeff that patient care and comfort is the primary focus of hospice, with Marge directing the hospice team on how she wants to do things. I reassured them that the hospice staff is very respectful to all of our patients. We tend to treat people how we would like to be treated ourselves: with dignity, care and compassion.


SHE SEES
　

She’s been blind since birth,
but doesn’t see it as a handicap.
She lives her life to the fullest.
She does what she needs to do.

She will greet you at the door.
She lifts her hand to shake yours.
She welcomes you into her modest home,
directing you to sit down on her couch.

She is aware of your position on the couch.
She gives you eye contact and listens.
She hears, she smells, she feels.
Using her senses to their full potential.

She doesn’t see your body language;
gestures we routinely use to communicate.
She doesn’t see your facial expressions;
subtle signals that enhance our words.

What she does see is so much more valuable.
She sees your heart; she sees your soul.
Our true character exposed openly in front of her.
She sees us as we truly are.
          She sees perfectly.