Sometimes, all it takes is a push from your close friends and family to make a big difference in your life. That's what happened with Ilene!

“My daughter was pushing me to find some ways to help myself manage [vision loss] better,” Ilene explains. “[Coming to CSC] was her idea in the first place. I'm very glad I went.”

After her daughter convinced her to try Cleveland Sight Center (CSC), Ilene was pleasantly surprised by the resources and staff eager to help her.

“When I walked in, I was thrilled, because it's beautiful,” she recalls of her first-time visiting CSC. “The people were lovely. Everything was perfect. And the people who took care of me were marvelous.”

Ilene is managing a geographic atrophy diagnosis, which allows her to see “big things” like people and what they’re wearing, but not faces. After going to her eye doctor and receiving a diagnosis, she understands there comes a point where you need additional support. That’s when CSC can help.

“They give you medicine, they check your eyes, and you leave. But Cleveland Sight Center’s Clinic told me all these options I had and how I could get help. What more could you ask for?”

CSC’s staff worked with Ilene to determine what sort of assistive technology can best help her achieve her goals. One of CSC’s Occupational Therapists came to where Ilene lives and showed her different items that can make life easier for her.

“I thought her coming out was wonderful, because she's the one who showed me all these little things I could do that I didn't think I could, and how to do them,” Ilene explains.

One product that CSC introduced to Ilene and continues to amaze her? Bump dots.

“Whoever invented those red dots, though, those are priceless,” she muses. “They don't seem like anything until you're in that position.”

A bump dot is a textured sticker used to mark surface areas to make them more tactile. Common places to use them are over frequently used microwave buttons, washer/dryer settings or over a keyhole in a door. Ilene plans to put some on her TV’s remote control next.

Now, Ilene is an advocate for Cleveland Sight Center, and tells her friends and neighbors to go! At the time of this interview, she was waiting for a friend to update her on how her first appointment went. Ilene’s made a point to tell people we're very fortunate to have Cleveland Sight Center, and that they absolutely have to go.

“I would tell anybody who has an eye problem to go there,” she said. “It's a real plus for our community!”

From one loved one to another, we’re thankful for how word of mouth spreads the word about Cleveland Sight Center.