Della’s Talking Blog

I’m Della Peterson, Maggie Szczep’s friend and office mate. We met through an ad she placed. It was a lucky thing for both of us: rents are so ridiculous in Cambridge. She could never have afforded it on her own. I needed a place away from the house, as a way of getting back out in the world. It’s too easy for me to shut myself away. It just worked and I think we’re both better for it.

Maggie talked me into this blog. She’s good with computers and loves to tinker. She found all kinds of ways for me to post by voice. I can talk into a telephone, or use a microphone. Of course, I can also type if my eyes are up to it.

I have a genetic eye disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa. It’s a very unpredictable way of going blind. I’m the only one in my family who contracted the disease. Both my parents were carriers, although neither of them realized it. RP does funny things. Your sight contracts slowly - or it does for me. I started by slowly losing my peripheral vision. I’m at a point now where I can’t see my fingers at the level of my nose. I can see parts of things, if the light is right. Otherwise, there’s nothing there. It’s not black, by the way. It’s just nothing. Try to imagine seeing behind your head. It’s like that.

A lot of people ask me what it’s like to be blind. Now, that’s a tough one. You can’t see! Okay, seriously now…with me the onset was so slow I barely noticed the sight going. Every now and again I’d suddenly walk into something to my side and realize that I was once able to see that far. That’s sobering. Believe me, I’ve had my bad days when the thought of what was happening to me was just too much to bear. Ask Maggie. I’ve cried on her shoulders about it more than once. Still, what are you going to do? You pick yourself up and you just keep going. I used to paint and draw. Of course, I can’t do that anymore, but I can still work with sculpture. There are ways of modifying your life to accommodate the onset of blindness. I test software made for people who are blind. I make sure that nothing gets past me. After all, I’m going to be using it myself, right?

I guess the next challenge will be my eventual total blindness. I joke with Maggie, tell her I’m going out kicking and screaming. I’m stubborn that way. But total darkness? That’s something I haven’t quite been able to get my head around. Morning, noon and night of nothing. Still, I realize I’m not the first person that’s ever happened to. I think I’ll eventually just come around. Thank goodness my sense of humor isn’t going along with the sight. I’ll need that even more.

Maggie says I lead an interesting and unusual life. I’m not so sure I agree, but it’s nice of her to be so encouraging. I do love to tell a good tale, though, and always did. And I laugh. It gets me through the day. I like hearing other peoples’ laughter, even if I can’t see them anymore. It’s a nice thing to hear.

I’m a bawdy soul, too. I can’t keep my hands off of men, no matter how old or young they are! It’s a riot. Give me a cheek to squeeze and I will - and you know which “cheek” I’m talking about, too! I even do it with Maggie’s husband, Alex. He’s a patient, patient man. He gets me back sometimes, though. You’ll hear more about that.

Well, I guess that’s about it for me. Keep in touch and let me know if you’d like me to talk about anything. I’ll be glad to oblige. In fact, you won’t be able to shut me up!