Visualeyes

               A Purpose Changed


 I have always felt that I had a calling. It's name was teaching, for many years, but in truth, it really is more than just educating kids, it's about helping others.

I never gave a second thought to a request from someone for a ride to the doctor or a store. If someone needed help in moving, I gladly filled the back seat and trunk and carried boxes.

But now that darn sight has gotten worse and I've had to give up driving. And while I still offer to help, people usually say "Oh so kind of you to offer, but I'm fine" or "No thanks, I've got it covered" and what they're really saying is how can you help me when you don't drive?

I must tell you, that hurts. I'm still the same person. Yes, I've learned to be more resourceful for myself in getting around. However, it doesn't seem fair to take away my 'Good Samaritan wings'. 

I've been missing helping others during this past year of non-driverhood. I think that's why I offered to restart the 'Neighborhood Watch Program'  in my condo community.

Then an opportunity presented itself to me this past week. And although the timing isn't ideal (since I'm preparing for my writers' workshop at Chautauqu), it felt right. So I took on the challenge. I offered my home and myself to a friend for her week's convalescence following surgery. We have some logistics to work out but I know it will work out fine.

And the space in my soul that was feeling kind of empty, you know the part that fills up when you think of others instead of yourself? It's feeling more full.

I like feeling that way.                                        

Visualeyes 12

This has been a busy week in preparation for tomorrow's meeting. It is the kickoff for The Foundation Fighting Blindness Atlanta Chapter annual fundraiser called VisionWalk. This is the 4th year for this walk and it's my 3rd year participating.This year is different from the others for several reasons:

1. I am a co-captain of the Support Group Team, one of the largest teams. In the past, I have been a team of one.
2. I am a chapter Board  Member now (yeah, fancy title that comes with business cards but it really just means I've become active in the group so they add me to the Board. Oh, and you have to print out your own business cards!)
3. This year, my vision has gotten worse so I'm aware of the need for fundraising more than before.

The other co-captain, Jim, and I decided to add a motto to our team T-shirts. Since the organization is the Foundation Fighting Blindness, I kind of went with that fighting theme. The Support Group tries to promote public awareness of retinal degenerative conditions as well as supporting research and helping people deal with their challenges. I put those together and came up with SPAR. It stands for Support, Public Awareness, Research. Our motto is: Come SPAR with us in the fight against blindness.
Okay, so it's a little corny but it worked better using SPAR than RAPS or RASP or ASP-R or RSPA. Trying writing a motto with those words!

I have never really felt comfortable doing fundraising and asking people for money. But now that I don't drive, I equate it to asking people for rides places. I can't always get to where I want to by myself, so I have to ask for help. The worst thing someone can  say is "sorry, I can't give you a ride today" and I'm not any worse off. I have to find a bus or take a taxi. Sometimes, though someone says SURE or GLAD TO HELP and if I hadn't asked them, it wouldn't have happened.

It's the same in asking for donations for the VisionWalk. Sure, some people I ask will say no or I can't right now, but some will say YES. And if I don't ask, it doesn't happen. That means research doesn't happen, that means treatments and cures aren't found, and mostly, that means more of us will go on losing sight and becoming blind. And I'm not giving up my sight without a fight.

So friends and followers, and friends of followers, I'm asking all of you if you'd be willing to help me out and thousands of other people, including children. If you'd like to make a donation- and any amount is gratefully accepted- you can do so online at: www.fightblindness.org/goto/gailhandler
If you'd rather you can send a check to: Foundation Fighting Blindness
                                                            4600 Marriot Dr, Suite 340
                                                            Raleigh, NC27612
Just put my name in the memo line of the check so our team gets the credit towards our goal.
Thanks in advance to those who can contribute. And for those who can't, don't worry about it. It was worth asking. :-)