Fostering Independence

In 2005, Carol Conroy’s eyesight deteriorated to the point she became legally blind and unable to drive. Ordinary activities like doing the grocery shopping for her family became an increasingly difficult challenge. In addition her son Timothy has Asperger’s Syndrome and her son Christopher suffers from Pervasive Developmental Disorder. Being the primary caregiver for her family, it was hard for Carol to have to rely on her husband, who works long hours as a firefighter in New York City, to bring her to the grocery store.

“Sometimes my husband would come off a 24 hour shift and have to take me food shopping. My husband would wait in the van with the boys while I shopped. It was really tough on our relationship. I was tired and reading the labels alone was hard because my kids are on special diets. We ran out of items a lot,” Carol described.

With funding provided by Orange County United Way, Jewish Family Service of Orange County’s Friendly Visitor/Faith In Action program was able to connect Carol with Tammy Cauchard, a volunteer who not only does the grocery shopping for Carol and her family but has become a friend as well. “Tammy immediately took that awful feeling of dependence away. And she does more than just the shopping; she gets along great with the kids and we have our little visits as well,” Carol explained.

The Gift of Sight

(An Excerpt From A Letter Written By Carol Conroy)

The Director of Developmental Disabilities Services of Orange County Department of Mental Health, who councils my children, referred me to Faith in Action of Greater Middletown. The Program Director, Doris Rubinsky came to my home and formulated a plan to help me remain independent. She introduced me to a wonderful family who now volunteers to grocery shop for me. This was a huge load off of my shoulders.

Doris called one day to follow-up with me. I mentioned that my eye specialist recommended a special pair of eyeglasses and that I should schedule an appointment with an optometrist. Doris suggested a local low-vision specialist. I went, and the glasses I needed were valued at a thousand dollars, and seemed too expensive. We are already in debt and I felt that even if I could obtain credit approval, I’d rather use it for my boys. The next time Doris called, I mentioned that I had fallen down my stairs two days prior to Christmas because my eyes hadn’t adjusted to the light. I broke my nose, ruptured an ear drum, had two black eyes, and bruises covered my face for weeks. Doris contacted Glenice Foglia, a volunteer driver and member of the Lions Club to see if she could help. Glenice later contacted me and said the Lions Club may be able to help pay for the glasses. In addition, Glenice was going to make the appointment and drive me to the doctor!  The optometrist said he could make a pair of indoor glasses to ease the discomfort caused by light. I was given a discounted price of five hundred and thirty-nine dollars for the glasses and the Lions club donated five hundred! Once the eyeglasses were ready, Glenice arranged to pick me up immediately to get them.

I put on the new eyeglasses and instantly, it seemed like the room opened up. I remember the trees as we drove down Mount Hope Road. It was wonderful. When I came home, I recall washing my hands, looking down, and noticing the tube of toothpaste next to the sink and how clear it was. I saw the details on other products on the counter. I later flipped the pages of a book, amazed that I was seeing! I then opened the curtains; I saw the grass outside, the driveway, road, and the mailbox. I called my mother and Doris Rubinsky to tell them. I was seeing more! My coffee pot was beautiful! I asked my husband to take me to a store. He asked, “Where?” and I said, “Anywhere! Anywhere that I can just go to so that I can see some more things!” I wanted to see everything that I could get my eyes on. I was so thrilled! I even called some friends together to celebrate.

Although the new glasses have not healed my eye condition, they have helped in more ways than I ever expected. I cannot drive, as I still see blind spots. Little did I know that the day that I went to the meeting for respite for my children, it would lead me to Doris Rubinsky of Faith in Action of Greater Middletown, who connected me to wonderful volunteers like Tammy and her family who grocery shop for me and Glenice. I feel blessed that my life has changed. God bless you all!