Pictured is Tsuchida with her grandchildren. Photo courtesy of Society for the Blind

RIO LINDA/ELVERTA, CA (MPG) - Kim Tsuchida of Elverta has always valued her independence and looked on the bright side of life, so when she could no longer drive from advanced glaucoma, both her independence and optimism were challenged. 

Fortunately, she had already found nonprofit Society for the Blind in Sacramento, which provides low-vision eye care, life and job skills training, mentorship and access to tools to maintain independence for more than 5,000 youth, working-age adults and seniors experiencing vision loss each year.

Tsuchida was 39 years old when she went to her optometrist for a Lasik consultation and was then referred to an ophthalmologist for glaucoma. Though her glaucoma was progressing very slowly, she spent the next 25 years going through procedure after procedure to try to control the pressure in her eyes.

“The glaucoma didn't really hit me that hard emotionally because my kids were young and I was busy,” Tsuchida said. “I realized I didn't need 100% of my eyesight to function day to day.”

Fiercely independent, Tsuchida continued to find ways to get through her day, raising her two daughters. She loved road trips and would take her daughters to San Diego. She was working and even looked into volunteering at Society for the Blind, though it did not end up fitting with her busy schedule. 

Ten to 15 years ago she stopped driving at night, but she continued to drive during the day. Then three years ago, she began to notice a steeper decline. 

“Glaucoma is so scary because you don't notice it until there's something you can't do,” Tsuchida said. “You can easily make excuses like I tripped because I was being a klutz or I can't see that because of the dim lighting.”

Two years ago, Tsuchida was diagnosed as legally blind, having gradually lost 85% of her vision. Her doctor said most people with her type of glaucoma only have vision for 10-15 years. He said it was almost unheard of for her to go 25 years before becoming legally blind.

“It was still hard to accept,” Tsuchida said. “I had days where I'd have a good cry and felt depressed because I've always been so independent.”

Fortunately, she knew right where to go.

When Society for the Blind's Senior IMPACT Project held a new year's open house, Tsuchida attended and was thrilled to discover it was an activity hosted by the organization's Asian Senior Support Group. She said she did not know what to expect at first, but she left feeling encouraged.

“I thought, wow, all these people here are giving their testimonies, and up until then I was wondering how I was going to do this,” Tsuchida said. “I felt stuck because I couldn't drive to visit my kids and grandkids and had to depend on my husband so much. I realized so many of the people in the room had worse vision but were doing so much more than me. I thought, ‘you know what? I have no excuse.’”

Tsuchida was 39 years old when she went to her optometrist for a Lasik consultation and was then referred to an ophthalmologist for glaucoma. Though her glaucoma was progressing very slowly, she spent the next 25 years going through procedure after procedure to try to control the pressure in her eyes. Photo courtesy of Society for the Blind

Tsuchida signed up for Society for the Blind and has never looked back, joining the organization's Senior IMPACT Project, taking braille classes, practicing mobility and enjoying volunteer-led arts and crafts activities. 

“My husband is like, ‘You know, you need to cut out some of your social activities,’” she said laughing. “I've started using RT Go so he doesn't have to take me as often, but I'm like what would I cut out? Everybody is so friendly and encouraging, and it's a lot of fun.”

Tsuchida also joined Society for the Blind's Asian Senior Support Group, which is comprised of 12-15 people who meet quarterly throughout the year for various activities and to talk – and she said there is always delicious food.

“We just come together and talk about our challenges and breakthroughs,” she said. “We just encourage each other, and it's a time to meet up and taste some great Asian food.”

From learning facial massages, tai chi and origami to enjoying homemade shu mai, Tsuchida said she loves seeing Asians coming together, including one woman in her 90s who is still active and reminds her to keep going.

“When I hear stories like that, I say to myself, it's time to stop kidding myself,” she said. “I have low vision and can still get around and do things. I can't use my vision as an excuse.”

This past February, Tsuchida traveled to the Seattle area to visit her daughter and two youngest grandchildren, including her only granddaughter. While her family was out and about, she decided to call in for Society for the Blind's Coffee & Connect support group call. She was so encouraged, she hung up and decided to walk down to the harbor on her own. 

“It was raining, but I used my umbrella, GPS and mobility skills to walk two miles down to the harbor to this restaurant that specialized in cinnamon rolls,” she said. “I sat and enjoyed my cinnamon roll and a vanilla cappuccino looking out at the rain.”

She no longer has peripheral vision, but still has central vision, which she describes as looking through a dirty glass. 

Tsuchida now feels like she has her independence and positive attitude back. As her vision fades, she focuses on what she can still see and do. 

"I used to be so afraid I would never be able to see my grandkids' faces, but now I'm focused on wanting to be there when they go to college, get married and have their own kids," she said.

She can no longer read books but now listens to them on Audible and said she ends up reading more now than she ever used to. Though she can't see much, she said she can still see daylight and now focuses on feeling the sunlight rather than seeing it.

“I'm so grateful to God for giving me the strength and ability to wake up every morning and feel the sunshine on my face,” she said.

Tsuchida said now she tells everyone about Society for the Blind. 

“I'm so encouraged by them that I want to encourage other people,” she said. “Just because you can't see doesn't mean you're less of a person. I think we feel that way because we rely on our vision so much. But Society for the Blind has taught me we can use our other senses and make the most out of what we do have. Don't be afraid and don't isolate yourself. At Society for the Blind, you don't feel like you're the only one. Life is still beautiful.”

For more than 70 years, Society for the Blind has continued to create innovative ways to empower individuals living with low vision or blindness to discover, develop and achieve their full potential. Since 1954, Society for the Blind has grown from a dedicated group of volunteers to a nationally recognized agency and the only comprehensive rehabilitative teaching center that provides services for a 27-county region of Northern California. For more information or to donate, visit www.SocietyfortheBlind.org.