Interested in scheduling an author reading, a virtual book club meeting or an interview? I would love to hear from you. Please email me: ricks.ingrid@gmail.com or call me: 425-281-0415
For Speaking Engagements or media requests, please email: ingridricks@comcast.net
Just wanted to send a quick note of appreciation for your fine presentation at the PNWA meeting the other night. I got a lot out of it. Thanks.
Lew Humiston
20.Feb.2011
Hello Ms. Ricks,
I was diagnoised with a similar vision issue when I was getting an eye exam for my pilot’s license. I had completed the ground school. I just needed to get the ok from the eye doctor before climbing into the pilot’s seat. Of course, the doctor’s discovery of my “legal blindness” meant that I did NOT get to be pilot. However, you are correct… life goes on. Keep up your good work.
Regards… JW
Thank you, Lew!!!
I just wanted to thank you for sharing your story in this new memoir. (I was a huge fan of Hippie Boy, and I have the other book but haven’t read it yet.). There is a great deal of food for thought here. I have a friend who is experiencing gradual vision loss due to cataracts (the inoperable type) though she’s just 45 and a lot of what you’ve said makes me think of her. I am going to give her this book, I think. Thanks again.
Just started reading “Focus,” and so far my story is very much like yours: Went for a routine eye exam expecting to walk out with a new glasses prescription, only to have to eye doctor turn his monitor around to me at the end of the exam to show me the markings he noticed on my retinas.
Despite already knowing about RP from some reading I had done years earlier, I feigned nonchalance as we talked about it. But for several months afterwards my thoughts were dominated by the transition from conceiving of “blind people” in the third person to the first person. I still have only minor vision problems, so I’m far from completing that transition–which may be part of the reason I gobble up first-person accounts like yours! Thanks for going public with it, and all the best.
Thanks for your note, Steve. I’m really hopeful that a cure or treatment comes about soon –and that your RP stays in the minor vision problems category! Happy New Year – best, Ingrid
Beth,
Thank you so much for your note. Sorry I’m just discovering it now. I hope my story helps your friend. I think that the naturopathic treatments I’m pursuing could be beneficial for any types of eye disease. Wishing you a happy, healthy new year. Best, Ingrid
Ingrid, reading your book was certainly no accident. I just downloaded it and didn’t know what it was about at all. I have recently be diagnosed with a cataract in my right eye. Not really a big deal for people with sight in both eyes, but I only have sight in my right eye. All the feelings you have described parallel exactly what I have been feeling, even down to my son-in-law not allowing me to drive my grandchildren around anymore, as if I would jepordize them ever!
I do believe that my surgery will be a success and I will be restored to sight. The I between places can be very scary, but, like you, I have found that living in the present and with gratitude it the only solution.
I am also writing stories about my journey in my interior design profession on how to solve problems for my clients and that it isn’t so much about having a perfectly designed home, but one that “feels” right for them. A safe haven to regenerate each day. You have inspired my to finish my stories and see where they will lead me.
Gratefully,
Mickey Walker
Mickey – I apologize for just seeing your note now. I hope hope hope your surgery goes well for your eyes. And I wish you LOTS of luck with your writing and getting your stories out there. FYI — I’ve started a blog that might be helpful for you: http://www.determinedtosee.com It’s about my quest to heal my eyesight and has lots of great resources for anyone with eye issues.
Best,
Ingrid