Chasing the Light

Happy New Year everyone! In this week’s entry, I share a recap of our Rambo family Christmas & New Year’s festivities! Specifically, I discuss the impact I continue to experience on my daily life as a result of my vision improvements. Additionally, I describe the unforgettable birthday present I experienced on NYE! Lastly, I give a glimpse into my plans and projects for this upcoming year as I sha...

In this week’s entry, I share the details from my birthday celebration over this past week. Also, I provide the results from my most recent clinical trial appointments in Philadelphia. Finally, I include a glimpse into what’s in store for the New Year!

In this week’s entry, I celebrate my 35th birthday by reflecting on the highlights from this past year of life. I share my favorite memories and accomplishments since my last birthday and the amazing growth I experienced in my faith journey during year 35! Finally, I discuss my exciting plans and goals for 2024!

In this week’s entry, I share the most recent noticeable positive vision changes which occurred over this past week! Also, I provide a 12-week post-op status for my treated eye, and a glimpse into the upcoming appointments in Philadelphia for the 90-day assessments. Finally, I describe the details of our most recent family adventure and my new-found level of independence as a result of my improvin...

In this week’s entry, I briefly describe my current vision changes at 11-weeks pot-op and the upcoming appointments for the LCA5 clinical trial. Next, I share my experience with blindness and the Christmas season! In specific, I provide a glimpse into my time working retail during college, my tips for Christmas shopping, and wrapping gifts with low vision.

In this week’s entry, I share my Thanksgiving Day feast cooking hacks as we prepare to host our annual “Battle of the Birds” holiday! 🦃 Specifically, I provide helpful tips for the b/vi listeners while working in the kitchen. Finally, I share our favorite Thanksgiving dishes/recipes and beloved family traditions! 🥧 Have a blessed and beautiful Thanksgiving everyone!

In this week’s entry, I share a brief 9-week post-op recovery and vision update for the LCA5 clinical research trial. Next, I address the common misconceptions regarding blindness, and my personal experience with each. Additionally, I provide stories of awkward societal interactions which I endured during my time as a teacher and throughout my adult life. Finally, I include my personal “dos and do...

In this week's entry, I provide a brief 8-week post-op recovery status and a new vision update (spoiler alert, everything is coming into focus!). Next, I transition the conversation to the topic of my health and wellness journey, and the positive impact it had during the recovery process in the LCA5 clinical research trial. Specifically, I share the story of my struggles with making unhealthy life...

In this week’s entry, my husband shares his perspective of my participation in the LCA5 clinical research trial thus far. He provides a glimpse into the surgery and recovery process from his viewpoint while expressing vivid thoughts/feelings from the past several months. Finally, he describes his joys, hopes, and expectations as we proceed with the clinical trial throughout the next decade of our...

In this week’s entry, I share the most recent vision update as I reach the 6-week post-op phase of my recovery process. I describe my experience as I looked through our window and I saw my children playing in the cul-de-sac for the first time as mom (as well as many more positive vision improvements over the past week!)Also, I share the physical and mental struggles that I encountered in the final...

In this week’s entry, I share the details from our most recent visit to Philadelphia for the LCA5 clinical trial 30-day post-op appointments. I describe the breath-taking experience of recognizing the details among the obstacles during the VR mobility course, and my feelings when I received confirmation that improvements continue to occur as a result of the treatment. Additionally, I describe the...

In honor of Blindness Awareness Month, I am participating in the Foundation Fighting Blindness’ #ShareYourVision Campaign! In this bonus entry on my podcast journal “Chasing the Light,” I share my personal vision loss journey with a rare blinding inherited retinal disease, Lebers Congenital Amaurosis (LCA5). I describe my personal experience with blindness as I balance motherhood, marriage, and a...

In this week’s entry, I share the details following my most recent visit to Philadelphia for the two week post-op appointments in the LCA5 clinical trial. Additionally, I describe my experience with the prescribed medications throughout this surgery process. Finally, I provide the latest update for my current vision status as of Wednesday 9/27.

In this week’s entry, I share the details from our most recent visit to the University of Pennsylvania for the LCA5 clinical trial one week post-op appointment. Day 7 brought upon an unexpected part of the recovery process which resulted in a turn-around back to Philadelphia. Lastly, I provide a recent vision update as of Wednesday, 9/20.

In this week’s entry, I share my experience during my first eye surgery for the LCA5 clinical trial at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. I provide details of the “big day,” and the current status of my recovery on day 4 post-op (Friday). Lastly, I describe my excitement for the bright future ahead and the timeline of expectations for recognizing positive improvements in my vision! 👁️...

In this week’s entry, I share my final thoughts as I prepare for the LCA5 clinical trial surgery on Monday. My emotions are running wild, but my faith is stronger than ever as I continue to reflect upon this incredible journey!

In this week’s entry, I share my experiences with public speaking throughout my undergraduate studies. Specifically, I discuss the details of my first college speech and the utter embarrassment of being completely speechless. Journey through the transformation as I reflect on my battle with low self-esteem to eventually finding a place of self-love. From presentations, teaching observations, and a...

In this week’s entry, I share my experience and thoughts following my most recent visit to Philadelphia. With less than 3 weeks until the surgery, I explain the details pertaining to the baseline two assessments and pre-surgical appointments. I continue to be humbled and amazed by the incredible IRD research being conducted by the brilliant individuals in the Retina space. I feel so blessed and pr...

In this week’s entry, I reflect on my experience during my transition into middle school, and the barriers I encountered as a result of my blinding retinal disease. I describe my initial feelings when I began the first day of school as a 6th grade student with a disability. Additionally, I provide a glimpse into the challenges I experienced with each middle school subject during the school day, an...

In this week’s entry, we flip the script as we welcome our very first and special guest! Join my husband Zach and I for a sweet and sincere conversation about the affects of blindness from a spouse’s perspective. Zach shares his thoughts, emotions, highs, and lows as he journeys by my side through my progressive vision loss caused by my rare IRD. We hope everyone enjoys this authentic and genuine...

In this week’s entry, I share an update regarding a confirmed date for Baseline Two and Pre-Surgical appointments in the clinical trial. Additionally, I share my personal fitness journey and the affects of my restricted vision on my long-distance running adventures!

In this week’s entry, we journey into the public light as I describe the challenges of navigating in different environments. I share personal stressors and struggles which pertain to traveling in unfamiliar territories including vacations, athletic events, movie theaters, restraints, and restrooms. Additionally, I provide tips and strategies which I use to overcome some of the challenges of being...

In this week’s entry, I take a trip down memory lane to the beginning of my journey with the Foundation Fighting Blindness, and the light of hope which entered my life as a result. I share my experience with processing the words of my doctors as they show images of my deteriorating retinas from year to year. Additionally, I express my thoughts related to gaining second opinions and personal resear...

In this week’s entry, I eagerly share updates regarding the clinical treatment trial, including baseline two and surgery dates. Additionally, I provide a glimpse into the vulnerabilities associated with blindness and building communities throughout each season in life. I share my personal experiences with recognizing the lighthouses which shine their lights at the perfect moment in time and the si...

In this week’s entry, I share my personal experience as I continue to navigate motherhood with the progression of my vision loss. Further, I provide specific examples of challenges related to motherhood and blindness, including a terrifying event that will forever haunt my life. Learn how my sons embrace life with a mom who is blind, and learn how they continue to adapt every step of the way!