I am not alone
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I've learned some things from this disease.  First of all, even though the disease is relatively rare, and most people who get it have never even heard of it before, there are a LOT of other people who do have it.  Contact with others is, in my mind, essential to be able to cope with what is happening to you.  Just as a pregnant woman will seek out the advice of female friends and family members to understand if the changes happening to her body are "normal", people with Stargardt's are well served to seek out others who also suffer from the disease to learn coping strategies, gain emotional support, and most of all, to learn what to expect.  For me, this support came from the MD Support web site.  There is a mailing list which I participate in that provides the means to fill this need for many types of macular degeneration sufferers.

The second thing I learned is that I should not try to hide this problem.  Indeed, once friends and family members found out about the situation, help and support   flowed from all sides.  I have been blessed by the outpouring of prayers over an extended time by many people.  I wish I knew who they all were, but I don't because the group has gotten so large.  People of all faiths have reached out to share their prayers on my behalf;  I deeply appreciate each and every one of them.

For many people, me included, emotional support includes my own personal faith.   I'm going to discuss that a little bit here for those that want to understand.   Don't' worry.  I'm not trying to convert anyone.  I'm simply sharing my life experience.  If you choose to disagree, that is your privilege that I will support and defend, but I ask that if you disagree in this area, please keep your opinion to yourself.  I'm not forcing my beliefs on you; please don't try to force yours on me.

My parents are members of the Tucker First United Methodist Church in Tucker, GA.  I grew up there, and still have many friends.   The Intercessory Prayer Team there has been praying for me for several months in support of the healing I both need and want.  I appreciate each and every one of their efforts.

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (known by some as the "Mormons").  A close friend who is also a high priest gave me a blessing several months ago.  If you found out your might go blind, you might be surprised some of the things you worry about.  My worries included things like not being able to ride a bicycle or walk, not being able to work (I have to be able to read to do what I do), and then there is the biggie.  By far, the comment I've heard most, and I echo, from advanced sufferers of macular degenerative diseases is the loss they feel at not being able to see the faces of the people they love the most.  This may not affect everyone, but for others, it is the cruelest blow of all.  Imagine a mother not able to see her child, or a grandfather unable to see his grandchildren's faces.  THAT is reality for many people...and it is terrifying.  

One thing I would tell all those who would visit is that in a religious context, accept any offer made that carries no strings.  Accept (and even ask for) prayers on your behalf.  This is a humbling experience for those of us who are highly self sufficient, but it pays huge dividends in the short and long term.  Just as a priesthood holder gave me a blessing, these blessings are available to ANYONE, not just members of the LDS church, who would like one.  You can contact the local LDS ward or stake in your area (look under Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the phone book or go to www.lds.org for contact information).   LDS missionaries can also perform this service as well as answer questions about the blessings and how they fit into the LDS theology.  Most churches have prayer groups that willingly pray for the welfare of others.  The LDS church places the names and concerns of its members in such situations on the alters in the church's temples throughout the worlds where thousands gather to pray for the welfare of others.

I urge each of you to reach out to those around you.  There is healing in the acts of reaching out and accepting help from others.  Stress has been proven to exacerbate macular degenerative diseases.  This provides you with the antidote.  I urge you to reach out and take it.  Some things seem so simple, people refuse to try them.   In the old testament, the children of Israel were afflicted by poisonous flying snakes.  If bitten, all they had to do was to look up at the image of a snake raised on a pole above the company to be healed.  Many refused to accept this simple solution, and they died because of it.  While macular diseases don't kill, they do destroy self image, self confidence, and personal security.  The solutions offered here can provide the antidote needed for this particular poisonous aspect of this disease.