Blessing in Diguise - Natina English's Story

In today’s busy world, it is often hard to find time to reflect on how difficult situations in our lives can be blessings in disguise.  For 35-year-old Natina English, this statement holds true. Natina was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, also known as Juvenile Diabetes, at age eleven and in March of 2006 found herself facing a diagnosis of Diabetic Retinopathy

Originally from Washington, D.C, Natina was relocated to South Carolina through her job in late 2004.  When her mother passed away in January 2006 and she began having eye problems, doctors in South Carolina attributed the problems to stress.  Finding her vision was becoming increasingly worse, Natina knew her problems could not be solely stress related.  She moved back to Washington, D.C. in October of 2006 and began seeing a retina specialist at John Hopkins University Hospital.  The specialist determined that Natina had Diabetic Retinopathy.  Having gone completely blind due to the severe tearing of her retina and subsequent hemorrhaging, Natina underwent a total of six surgeries on each eye.  Doctors were able to reconstruct her retina, thus restoring some of her sight.

Natina was still legally blind and having to face life with limited vision left her very depressed.  She quit her job and began to totally isolate herself.  “I felt like I was too young to be going through this.  Why me?” said Natina.  Natina was introduced to Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind (CLB) through a counselor at the Rehabilitation Services Administration and her outlook began to change.  “I was introduced to so much technology to aid me with me vision and began interacting with people who could relate to my condition. It was very uplifting!” she said.  She became very involved with CLB, first by working as a temporary receptionist, then participating in the basic computer course and Employment Marketing Skills Training course. Natina also worked in CLB’s Digital Data Scan department.  “Becoming involved with CLB and socializing with individuals with similar eye conditions helped me realize I was NOT a “rare breed” or abnormal in any way,” said Natina.

Despite her trails, Natina began to realize that her condition was a blessing in disguise. “This whole experience has really humbled me.  I began to appreciate people and life more.  I am more patient, kind and understanding than I ever was with full vision,” Natina said. “The key to finding the inner peace needed to adapt to life without full vision is the belief in a higher power, in my opinion.  It is also very important to network with others with similar conditions and learn as much about the technology available to you as you can.  Organizations like Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind are a great resource!”

For information on how CLB can help you or a loved one, call 240-737-5100.