“Don’t Give Up”: Virginia’s Journey with Macular Degeneration

Image Courtesy of Betsy B. Murphy, Instagram

To some, having your thermostat audibly speak the temperature of your home may not seem meaningful. But to Virginia Blankenbaker, it represents something much bigger: independence.

In honor of Macular Degeneration Awareness Month, we are proud to highlight Virginia and her inspiring story. A lifelong educator and community advocate, Virginia earned her bachelor’s degree from Purdue University before a career in education. She quickly found her passion in serving and advocating for the less fortunate, leading to her securing a master’s degree from Butler University and a twelve-year career as an Indiana state senator.

Virginia’s vision-loss journey began with a separate life-altering diagnosis: multiple myeloma, a form of bone cancer. Despite the disease’s “uncurable” label, she is now cancer-free. Still, during her battle with cancer, Virginia lost central vision in her right eye, marking the beginning of her journey with macular degeneration.

What is Macular Degeneration?

Macular Degeneration is an age-related eye disease that affects the retina and impacts the central vision in one or both eyes. This makes it very difficult to see what is directly in front of you. Although the condition is not curable, it is treatable, and most people with this condition do not lose their peripheral vision.

Redefining Independence

Virginia is proof that macular degeneration does not have to limit what you do - it just changes how you do it. Virginia was in an independent living facility when she was first introduced to Bosma. That interaction changed her life. Through tools such as magnifiers for knitting, audio readers, audible thermostats and daily support, Bosma helped Virginia regain confidence and maintain autonomy. She didn’t have to give up her independence or things she loved; she just had to learn how to approach them through a different lens.

With access to these resources along with a strong support system from Bosma, Virginia remains involved in activities she enjoys, including knitting groups and game nights. Staying engaged in her community has a positive impact on her confidence and mental health. As Virginia says, “It gets us out and gives us purpose.”

Virginia’s perseverance has touched many lives. Her daughter even wrote a book with the Indianapolis Historical Society about her journey called Yes! Virginia: Life Lessons Through Ten Decades of Leadership. Virginia offers simple words of encouragement to those experiencing vision loss: “Don’t give up. Your vision is only part of your body”. To this day, Virginia continues pursuing her passion for mentoring women seeking a career in politics, proving that a diagnosis does not have to stand in the way of our purpose.

“That’s how we keep hope alive - tell the stories of people who gave you hope.”

If you or someone you know could benefit from Bosma’s community-based programs, please click here to learn more.