Paula is 75 years old and had given up on being able to sew. She has Macular Degeneration* and was not able to see to thread the sewing machine. Her eyesight has been bad as long as she can remember, and she has lost the ability to see details and colors.

With help from New View Oklahoma, she learned to thread the machine using self-threading needles. It is important to her, because now she can continue making bags that she donates to Feed the Children.

“The tote bags are given to doctors that go out into the far reaches of the world,” Paula said.

Her desire to keep sewing opened the door for New View to help Paula with many other skills that help her remain independent. She credits New View with providing solutions that she didn’t know existed. An occupational therapist taught her how to use a large print check register and bold lined paper to take care of her finances. She also now uses a large-buttoned talking calculator.

With a handheld illuminated magnifier Paula can now read small print on medication bottles, frozen entrees and her mail. She can prepare dishes in her microwave thanks to small bump dots placed to help her find the buttons.

Paula is pleased with the adaptations, and says she is not going to sit there and feel sorry for herself. She has too much to do.

*Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is by far the most common type of macular degeneration. It is the loss of central vision resulting from damage to the retina – the back layer of the eye. AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in Americans 60 years of age and older. People experiencing the effects of macular degeneration can be trained in off center viewing to better utilize available vision.