If you have macular degeneration and want to keep your independence, then check out these two inspiring stories of women who faced their macular degeneration and continued to maintain independent and fulfilling lives, produced by the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB).

In, Out of the Corner of My Eye: Living with Macular Degeneration, Nicolette Pernot Ringgold describes the techniques and products that helped her adjust to life with vision loss. Ringgold, an 87-year-old college professor who lost most of her eyesight as a result of macular degeneration, describes how she managed to continue sewing, reading, running errands, and even voting.

Each chapter begins with a foreword entitled, "Living with Macular Degeneration Today," These sections provide updated information on additional techniques and new products now available to people living with macular degeneration. The book is available in paperback, ASCII disk, and online. It costs $29.95. In addition, AFB Press will be issuing the book in a CD/audio version and an MP3 format. To order a copy, visit AFB’s Bookstore online or call 800-232-3044.

Also, the AFB Senior Site recently released a new, interactive video that tells the story of Kathleen Gilmore of Dallas, Texas. Kathleen is a 91-year-old research archaeologist who is living with macular degeneration. Kathleen has depended on the help of various types of assistive technology to continue reading archaeological bulletins, newsletters, and books. Visit the AFB Senior Site to view Kathleen’s video and 16 other inspirational videos.

Visit the American Foundation for the Blind’s website at http://www.afb.org.

Source: http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=42&TopicID=242&DocumentID=3725