It's A Curve Ball,.. A large Curve Ball,..

I went to the doctor, they said the last visit i had was in 2002. Apparently my new doctor here ( a retinal specialist specializing in research for retinal diseases ) had been in contact with my doctor in Illinois to give me a firm final diagnosis.  After testing and another call to the other doctor they figured out the cases,..'s.

I've done a lot of looking back in the short time since Friday morning. I remember telling them about how hard it was to see at night, how my peripheral was bothering me too, and how it seemed i had lost more central vision even after my Stargardts should have halted.  They said it could be cone rod, no one gave me a firm diagnosis but they knew i had Stargardts become of the yellow spot presentation as well as other tests.I was told to wear my dark plum glasses 24-7 just in case, seemed they weren't sure.

My mentor Judy had a combination, the first i had ever heard. She had Stargardt's and cone rod dystrophy. Until that point i didn't know you could have both, not to mention two different eye diseases.Even with those both and her losing much sight she made the most beautiful paintings.


I think learning I have both retinal pigmentosa and Stargardt's took me by surprise only because i had become comfortable with how i was and how I saw the world. I thought it wouldn't change, that i was where i would stay. n other ways i felt relieved to have answers to what i knew was going on with my eyes.


I did hope i could find others who maybe had combinations or even the same combination. So far nothing but one person in a support group arguing the impossibilities of my condition. I have learned nothing is impossible.


So as I write here in this blog and go on my journey here, I have been thrown a curve ball, but im not out of the game. I feel inside me its even mroe important to continue painting and my artwork. I may not have some common visual impairment , but my art has never been common either.  I hope i find others like me that i can talk to I think I would feel less alone in that respect. I am lucky, blessed even for my family and friends. They are so supportive through everything and I am glad they are there to listen. I can not control how my remaining sight will go in the future but i can control my path and I will keep painting and writing no matter what.


I don't need a cure i have family.

things have gotten brighter

gorgeous view from where we are 

when they say the sun is brighter here, they aren't joking :) My family and I have been here for about 12 days now and it is such a beautiful state. i haven't really found a place to set up my art studio yet but have had many ideas and inspirations here.

i think hummingbirds are my new favorite bird, and my have to be painted

one of my favorite things here has been sitting outside and eating fresh grapefruit while i watch the hummingbirds come to the feeder. im not sure what they look like but i can see the silloquettes of their tiny little bodies and furiously flapping wings. One that comes in the morning always makes me giggle, they are so loud when they drink an they make the most adorable noises when they do. 

I have had so much fun picking grapefruits from the tree. its hard to see them thru the green and looking up at the sky but i love it. I have to be a bit more careful however i already have a good bump on my head from a lil depth perception incident .:)

its a jopshua tree but i call it a fuzzy tree :)

It takes some getting used to with the change of scenery but its a good change. I love the trees and the view out here. I even got to go to a place called Slide Rock and go sliding down through freezing cold water on the red rocks.


Next step is to find all my new resources, doctor, new sunglasses,  and more.I do have a feeling that my art will change a bit but for the better.

best regards from sunny Arizona :)