Legs or Sight, Which is worse to lose?

My husband and I were down at our local neighborhood park last evening. We were talking as he was pushing me through the park  We used to spend alot of time going for walks a few years ago until my legs started to fail and were finally amputated lat last year.  It was alot of fun.  My husband would push me aways as  we looked around and watched a few children playing on the swings and such.  We would stop and my husband would sit down on one of the park benchs and rest a while as it was rather warm.  While sitting on one of the benches resting a man who looked to nearing sixty was walking by.  I noticed when he was still quite far away that he was using a white cane to navigate his way.  When he got a little closer and was just going pass us he bumped his cane into my wheelchair not knowing I was there.  My wheelchair was sticking out a few inches into the path which he was walking on.  He stopped and apoligised for bumping into me.  He said he was having a tough time of getting around since he had lost much of his vision because of his problems with diabetes.  I asked him if he wanted to sit down and rest a while.  He did. His vision was very bad.  He was able to see enough to realize that I was sittiing in a wheelchair and had no legs.  He didn't say anything about that, but as we talked the subject turned to diabetes.  He said that his vision had gotten so bad the last couple of years he needed the white cane to find his way.  He said he wasn't totally blind by any means, but wouldn't leave his house without his cane.  Apparently he walks in the park quite often but we had never seen him.  He says he knows the paths quite well and how to get back to his home. As we were talking he looked at me and asked me about my legs.  I told him it's the same thing as you have, diabetes, only it took my legs.  I told him how I was legally blind as well but could still see well enough to get around as long as I wore my glasses.  I told him I also carried a white cane since I have trouble seeing at night.  We talked about half an hour about things. Seems he can't see much at all at night and very little during the day unless he is very close. He said it was a real bummer getting old and having this XXXX disease. As we were parting we agreed we'd need to get together again some time to visit and such.  He also said to me that he figured it must be a real pain for me losing both my legs as I did but he'd gladly change places with me any day of the week.  He said even though your vision ain't so good any more and you need a wheelchair to get around you still can see what's around you. I miss that alot.  He said, I'd much rather see than have my legs.  I just hope your vision doesn't fail you as mine did.  With that he said he needed to leave for home before his wife came looking for him as she had a few times before whe he was late returning home.  My husband and I just sat there a few minutes as he left the park for home swinging his cane from sided to side.  I told my husband, I would say I'm very lucky even though I lost my legs. That poor guy could hardly see at all, he has to be pretty strong to go for walks alone in the park.  It really gave me something I couldn't stop thinking about all last night and today.  I can manage OK in my wheelchair.  Sure it's no fun. My vision isn't great, but it's been pretty stable since I lost my legs, and I can still see well enough to use my computer and get around during the day, not so well at night. I guess I am luckier than I thought I was.  Like  I  said this really gave me alot to think about today.  I just needed to share it a little.

Wheelchairbound

Linda

I love how hard you are trying to see the bright side of life. You are a strong person and I really admire that. If I had to choose, I would prefer my sight to my legs. When you lose your legs, you can still get mobile, if you lose your sight...well..

I told you in another post that my legs are pretty useless...but at least I can see...see my beautiful grandsons, see the pretty sunsets, I could see all of these things in a wheelchair.  I am just trying to understand better.  Of course, I dont have the problems you are experiencing, so maybe I should have kept it to myself.  You are getting your feelings out by coming in here and sharing with us.  I think that is just like someone grieving a loss in their life..you have to get those feelings out in order to heal.

Your positive outlook is inspring Linda, I have been having a rough 9 days, and you have humbled me with your post.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, I think that maybe you were meant to run into that man.  He taught you a valuable lesson.  Bless his heart.

Keep writing, and know that you help so many by sharing your loss.

Gentle hugs

Diane