Fun Along the Way

Barbara Oleynick’s diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa came out of nowhere; she never suspected she had a vision problem. At the time, Barbara was 35-years old, had just had her second child, Brooke, and was thriving in her work as a physical therapist. The fateful appointment with her eye doctor occurred just two hours before she and her husband, Gary, were scheduled to meet their realtor to sign papers for their new home. “It was such a shock,” Barbara recalls. “I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to work and afford the house. But the doctor said, ‘Buy your home. Live your life.’ He was very adamant. My head was spinning. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen or what I was going to do, but it was the best advice.” Oleynick Team Last year, 14 years after the diagnosis, Barbara was declared legally blind, her visual field having narrowed to just 12 degrees. While the journey to this dubious juncture in vision loss has been tough, and the likelihood of continued vision loss will bring more challenges, Barbara says that she has reached a moment of clarity and acceptance. “For many years, I felt like I was in limbo, but now I feel I can take risks.” Barbara says. “I had set up road blocks and limitations before I needed to. For example, I was afraid to snow ski, because I might hurt myself or someone else.  But I’ve started doing things I had once given up. I told myself that I was not going to pass up exciting opportunities that come my way. I have gone on two extended fishing trips, including one to Cabo San Lucas, as well as a snow skiing trip to Utah. I’ve had a blast. I made the decision that I was going to be happy no matter what.” The fact that she has gone for mobility and orientation training — she is learning how to use a cane — is also a big step toward acceptance. “I’m not faking it any more; with a cane, people now know I am blind and give me a little more room,” she notes. “They don’t think I am being rude if I accidentally bump into them.” Giving up driving has been one of the toughest challenges for Barbara, especially with two teenage kids. But her son, Eric, is now driving, and she gives her husband, Gary, enormous praise for his love and support. “He will do whatever it takes to help me.” Over the past couple of years, Barbara has become actively involved in the San Diego Chapter of the Foundation Fighting Blindness. She enjoys the camaraderie and the opportunity to share information about low vision resources in the community. “Knowing you are not in it alone is important,” says Barbara. “And there are many things you can do if you have the right information and contacts. The opportunity to network through the chapter is huge.” Barbara also led a successful team, Blind Ambition, for the inaugural San Diego VisionWalk in 2008 to help raise money for cures. “The researchers are on the forefront of so many different kinds of treatments, and they are starting so many human clinical trials. I feel very optimistic about the future,” she says.

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