Balancing family relationships when a parent has a limiting condition
A parent’s loss of capacity can be temporary or long-term and may include physical disability, mental health issues, ageing - even stress. Low vision consultant Jenny Webster describes how changing your thinking around limitation can help you find practical solutions, foster independence, and ease relationships. She talks about the challenges, bonuses and what keeps her going on her journey with Stargardt’s disease.
Jenny Webster
If you are new to podcasts, simply click on the arrow to listen to Jenny and Mariette, or on the download button to download the conversation onto your device.
In episode 37 of the weekly podcast series Calm, Clear and Helpful, low vision consultant Jenny Webster touches on
being diagnosed with Stargardt’s disease when she was 9 years old and getting cancer at 45
how a degenerative disease or other limitation can affect a parent, their partner, and their children
how Jenny approaches her biggest challenge: knowing that she has value
relationship issues she and her husband, André, have had to address
what healthy interdependence entails, also regarding a child who may take on too much responsibility
how hard times or gridlock can benefit a family or a couple
processing the grief associated with loss of capacity
the role of faith in Jenny’s life
her best tips for what to do when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Great news!
In November 2021 Jenny was awarded second place in the SAB Foundation Disability Empowerment Awards for her Pad Perch, the portable desktop magnifier she developed:
https://c-ur-able.co.za/pad-perch/
Facebook: @padperch
Also listen to occupational therapist Belinda Leibowitz explaining what low vision is and tips for increasing independence.
About Jenny
Jenny Webster is an educator, communicator, low vision consultant and envisioner who uses her first-hand experience of visual impairment to help sighted people design physical and digital spaces for inclusion. She also assists those who are new to vision loss. As a member of the Helen Keller Low Vision services Jenny has been involved with low vision seniors for more than a decade. She is based in Durbanville, Cape Town.
Email address:
Websites:
https://goingblindwithinsight.wordpress.com
Facebook: @padperch
Jenny is involved in online and in-person courses offered by her husband, André Webster, a sexuality counsellor who studied sexology and assists educators, pastoral carers, counsellors, parents, children, or anyone who is interested in encouraging or wanting to live a sexually healthy existence: http://sexualitymatters.co.za/
Listen to André explaining the key to intimacy in love relationships: independence.
Further info on low vision:
For valuable information on many aspects of low vision, feel free to visit https://lowvision.co.za/meet-the-team - go to the Low vision Podcasts.
The free podcast series Calm, Clear & Helpful is available on iTunes, Spotify, Player FM and Iono.fm.
Music by Mart-Marie Snyman.
Image: Unsplash.
Photograph of Jenny Webster: supplied