Norma lost her sight

This is a story about Norma Smith. She lives in Medicine Hat. She is blind.

Norma started going blind when she was in her 20s. She had an eye disease. Her doctor said he couldn’t cure the disease.

Norma had to stop working in her 30s. She couldn’t read anymore. She became depressed. She was afraid to go outside.

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Life got better

Life got better when Norma was 40. She got a Seeing Eye dog.

Norma began to accept that she was going blind. She started to feel better.

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Norma isn’t afraid to go outside now. She goes downtown and to the gym with her dog’s help.

At home, Norma cooks and takes care of the house. She is very organized. She has to remember where things are.

Norma has a voice chip in her computer. She uses the Internet. She sends and listens to e-mails.

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The CNIB helps people who are blind. It helps people who are losing their sight too. Norma is a volunteer with the CNIB.

She talks to children at schools. They learn not to touch a Seeing Eye dog when it is working.
Norma talks with people who are losing their sight. She helps them adjust to their new lives.

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Norma still volunteers with the CNIB.
She still uses her computer.
Norma’s Seeing Eye dog has a problem with its eyes. The dog will have an operation on its eyes. Then the dog will retire. Norma will get a new Seeing Eye dog.

This article first appeared in the October 2006 issue of English Express.

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