Hi there Aaron. I trust that this mail finds you and yours well. A Little About Me My name is Grant Matthews. I was born in South Africa in the early 1970s, and for most of my life I was fully sighted and able bodied. I lived an active, adventurous life enjoying the outdoors, often drawn to activities that some would call extreme. For me, it is about making the most of life, sometimes pushing boundaries and enjoying the thrill. On April 3rd, 2018, everything changed. I lost my eyesight due to optic nerve damage, a consequence of choices I had made. At first, I refused to believe it. I visited three different ophthalmologists and eventually a professor in ophthalmology, all in the hope that someone would tell me something different from what the first doctor had said: “Your optic nerves are damaged, and there is no cure.” That reality was crushing. I felt angry, hopeless, and stuck in self pity, asking over and over, “Why me?” I threw myself into what I call a pity party, convinced that life was over. But in time, I realized something important: life doesn’t stop just because we feel lost. And I understood that self pity would only make my situation harder. What I really needed was to accept my altered state of existence, a shift in perspective, and the determination to build a new life, this time, in the dark. I started learning how to live as a blind person. I registered with the South African National Council for the Blind and joined a college program where I was taught how to use a computer again but this time with accessibility tools. Since the college was close to where my mother lived, I moved back in with her. It didn’t take long before I noticed that something was wrong. She wasn’t the same; her behavior had changed in unsettling ways. After visiting her doctor and then a neurologist, she was diagnosed with dementia. That was another major turning point. Not only did I need to figure out my new reality as a blind person, but I also had to step into the role of caregiver for my mother. My sister, who lives in the UK, struggled to accept the diagnosis, which meant most of the responsibility fell on me. Within my first year of blindness, I had to learn quickly, how to cook without sight, manage household chores, do laundry, shop for groceries, and take care of day to day life. I could have chosen to order online, but I often prefer going out, meeting people, and staying connected. Caring for my mother taught me patience and humility. Her condition was not her fault, and I had to remind myself of that often. Alongside these challenges, I began rebuilding parts of my life. I learned how to use Zoom, navigate the web more effectively, and even started experimenting with audio recording and editing in Audacity, which has been both challenging and fun. Losing my eyesight changed everything. Yes, there are things I can no longer do or choose not to do anymore and there are sights I will never see again. But I’ve come to realize that life is not over! Only different and far from over. I’ve discovered new kinds of beauty, met incredible people, and taken on experiences I never would have imagined before. For example, I was never comfortable with public speaking, so I challenged myself and joined Toastmasters. I also began studying meaning-centered psychotherapy online (a program I’m nearly finished with) which has deepened my understanding of life and people in ways I couldn’t have imagined. The truth is, when I was fully sighted and able bodied, I never gave much thought to what living with a disability meant. Now I’m living that reality. It’s not always easy, but it has opened my eyes. Ironically, in a new way to resilience, growth, and the richness of human experience. I hope that is more or less what you are seeking. With regards to social media, I’m on Facebook and X (@GrantMatth935), I left most of the other platforms when I got too many people asking to join their groups etc. for nudies and such! Kind Regards Grant M  https://www.patreon.com/aarons... Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aaron-s-opinion--5920599/support .
