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Everyone reacts differently to the news that they may be losing their sight. Blanche was no different than many people: the will to survive translated immediately to the thought of family support.

Today, ten years later, this woman has tossed aside the panic and instead, grabbed hold of the most positive forces she can manage to help her create a new life.

When she was first diagnosed, Blanch Rosloff was just leaving the non-profit business world as an executive.  Rather than giving up and waiting for her sight to diminish, this spunky lady refused to succumb to self-pity and instead, began to develop her creative side. In a few short years, she became a serious poet. She has been published in various anthologies and just two years ago, as if that weren't enough, decided, at the tender age of 74, to take up painting.  Her oils are rapidly becoming well known in the local artists community and she is told often that her works look as if she's been painting all her life.

Perhaps this lovely lady would have eventually found her creative side, regardless of being diagnosed with something like AMD that can so dramatically change one's life.  But she feels it was a wake-up call to her that make her take stock of what she had accomplished and to reflect on what she really wanted to do in her life. 

"That diagnosis, along with the fear that I would end up totally vision impaired, lit a fire under me to live, to really live!  Once the initial panic had subsided and I realized I didn't have to build a family complex around me to assure me of their support, " she laughed, "I began to think seriously about my options. I thought, okay, I might as well learn the computer right now, in case I can't do it later."

The computer was just one of the skills she picked up.  Having spent her career in head start and other human relations programs throughout the country, it was second nature for her to promise herself that she needed to become all that she could be.  She takes art lessons, still works on her poetry, keeps up with friends and family through e-mail and does everything she should be doing to stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible. "I watch what I eat, I take nutritional supplements that may help my eyes, and instead of being afraid of the future, I embrace it, using and enjoying every day to its fullest." 

Blanche's family support is solid, beginning with her husband, Reuben, who has been by her side for fifty-six years.  Today, her family teases her about calling that family meeting ten years ago when she was sure she couldn't be left alone.  And the way she's going, she'll probably have a gallery showing in the next couple of years. Don't even think of holding this woman back, just because of a medical diagnosis. What a fine example to others.