Podcast Summary: Hadley Presents

Episode: Adjusting and Coping with Vision Loss Together

Host: Ricky Enger
Guest: Joan Yeager, Vice President of Hadley
Original Airdate: March 26, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode of Hadley Presents, host Ricky Enger sits down with Hadley’s vice president, Joan Yeager, to introduce and discuss Hadley’s new video series: Adjusting and Coping Together. The series is designed to provide practical support, authentic stories, and coping strategies to individuals experiencing vision loss. Through a blend of real member stories and expert-guided techniques, the conversation spotlights seven central topics frequently encountered in vision loss journeys, aiming to both validate listeners' experiences and offer actionable advice.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Background and Purpose of the Series

Foundation: The series is built on two pillars—authentic member stories shared in the Insights and Sound Bites podcast, and techniques learned from small Hadley-hosted support groups over Zoom.
“So those two things came together in what we're calling our Adjusting and Coping Together video series.”
(Joan Yeager, 02:15)
Access and Scale: The video series was developed to scale the intimate, effective support of small groups to Hadley’s large membership.
“The small groups are fantastic...but at 15 people at a time, and Hadley already has 200,000 members...So we knew we had to find a way to scale that help.”
(Joan Yeager, 03:10)

2. Seven Core Topics Covered

Joan highlights the progression of the seven subjects the series addresses:

Grief and what it looks like with vision loss
Emotional spirals and unexpected reactions
Asking for help and feelings of being a burden
Shifts in friendships and family relationships
Isolation and loneliness
Loss of self-esteem and identity (05:03)

3. Grief and Emotional Adjustment

Member Story: Ann Renard

Ann’s Journey: Periods of rapid vision change and the continual exhaustion of “adjusting and readjusting.”
Turning Point: Support from a peer who encouraged her to focus on what she can do, not just what she can’t.
“I still have choices, I still have some control. So that was a really big difference for me.”
(Ann Renard, 08:10)

Coping Strategy

Acknowledge the Loss:
“Recognizing that this is a completely different life than you expected...can serve a purpose. It affirms what you're going through.”
(Speaker E, 08:46)

4. Asking for Help and Independence

Member Story: Ron Peterson

Challenge: Lifelong independence made it difficult to ask for assistance after losing vision.
“One of the things you learn when you're blind is you need help and you have to swallow your pride a little bit.”
(Ron Peterson, 11:33)

Coping Strategy

Plan and Normalize:
“For certain tasks, you may want to talk to [trusted people] in advance...it feels more like a plan and less like an intrusion.”
(Speaker G, 12:05)
Perspective Shift:
“In general, people like to help. Really. Think back to a time when someone asked you for help and how good it felt to be there for them.”
(Speaker G, 12:25)

5. Isolation and Loneliness

Member Story: Angela

Experience: Major depression and isolation, believing her life was “over” after a diagnosis.
Key Moment: A personal turning point led Angela to seek help online, discover Hadley and new resources, and reconnect with life.
“My whole entire world changed with just one search.”
(Angela, 15:26)

Coping Strategy

Confiding in One Person:
“If this sounds like you, you may want to try picking just one person in your life to confide in...Sharing...could begin to ease that sense of loneliness for you.”
(Speaker E, 16:38)

6. Navigating Changed Relationships

Member Story: Eugenia Theroux

Reluctance: Pulled away from friends and family, fearing to “let them down,” and struggled with the new dynamic of receiving help.
“I'm the one that pulls it all together. First up, it was difficult to ask people…”
(Eugenia Theroux, 20:23)
Awkward Interactions: Experiences of well-meaning but painful jokes, uncomfortable adjustments.

Coping Strategy

Mutual Adjustment:
“It takes time and trial and error for everyone involved to figure out what works now and what may not anymore.”
(Speaker E, 21:25)

7. Self-Esteem and Redefining Identity

Member Story: Kara Snyder

Identity Crisis: An artist whose work and sense of self were upended by vision loss.
Growth: Through experimentation, support, and focusing on her other senses, she rebuilt confidence and rediscovered purpose.
“Because the markers I used in my life to define myself...were based in a visual interpretation of the world...So when that became lost to me, it really made me redefine what constitutes meaning in my life.”
(Kara Snyder, 24:28)

Coping Strategy

Focus on Strengths:
“There are things you can do...to help work through these common emotions. One thing...is...try to focus on the strengths and abilities you still have.”
(Speaker J, 27:17)
Shared Human Experience:
“Everyone will face losses in their lifetime. Everyone. It's part of being human.”
(Speaker J, 27:38)
Embrace the Nonlinear Path:
“Expect that things won't always progress in a straight line.”
(Speaker J, 27:48)

Notable Quotes & Moments

On scaling support:
“Our challenge...was finding a way to scale that help to many, many more people who may be feeling a bit stuck.”
(Joan Yeager, 03:10)
On coping with loss:
“It's okay to say to yourself, this is hard and I really wish it wasn't happening. To me, the very act of acknowledging this reality for many can be a bit of an emotional release.”
(Speaker E, 09:16)
On asking for help:
“I laugh every time I hear that clip because we know so many people like that. And I appreciate that...reminder of, hey, think about when somebody asked you for help and were you all like, no, I don't want to do that.”
(Ricky Enger, 12:47)
On isolation:
“Even just knowing that you're not alone gives you a bit more courage for many to say others are feeling the same way.”
(Joan Yeager, 18:06)
On changing relationships:
“People don't know how to react to illnesses or vision loss. They just don't. You know, you're trying to navigate it yourself, but you're trying to help them navigate it, too. It's a journey for all of us.”
(Eugenia Theroux, 21:02)
On self-worth:
“It doesn't define you. It is a part of who you are. It is not you. This loss of vision.”
(Joan Yeager, 29:31)

Timestamps for Important Segments

Closing Thoughts and How to Connect

Accessing the Series: Available on hadleyhelps.org and the newly launched Hadley app (call 800-323-4238 for help).
Support is Always Personal:
“At Hadley, our support center specialists can help you...We really can wrap around some extra pieces of support. And one of the things that's important to know at Hadley is you'll always talk to a person.”
(Joan Yeager, 18:31)
All services are free:
“It is all free. So if you’re listening and you haven’t created a Hadley account, give us a call if you need some assistance with that.”
(Ricky Enger, 30:28)
Call to Action: Listeners are encouraged to check out the full series and provide feedback, ensuring continued improvement and relevance of Hadley’s resources.

Podcast Summary: Hadley Presents

Episode: Adjusting and Coping with Vision Loss Together

Host: Ricky Enger
Guest: Joan Yeager, Vice President of Hadley
Original Airdate: March 26, 2026

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Background and Purpose of the Series

Foundation: The series is built on two pillars—authentic member stories shared in the Insights and Sound Bites podcast, and techniques learned from small Hadley-hosted support groups over Zoom.
“So those two things came together in what we're calling our Adjusting and Coping Together video series.”
(Joan Yeager, 02:15)
Access and Scale: The video series was developed to scale the intimate, effective support of small groups to Hadley’s large membership.
“The small groups are fantastic...but at 15 people at a time, and Hadley already has 200,000 members...So we knew we had to find a way to scale that help.”
(Joan Yeager, 03:10)

2. Seven Core Topics Covered

Joan highlights the progression of the seven subjects the series addresses:

Grief and what it looks like with vision loss
Emotional spirals and unexpected reactions
Asking for help and feelings of being a burden
Shifts in friendships and family relationships
Isolation and loneliness
Loss of self-esteem and identity (05:03)

3. Grief and Emotional Adjustment

Member Story: Ann Renard

Ann’s Journey: Periods of rapid vision change and the continual exhaustion of “adjusting and readjusting.”
Turning Point: Support from a peer who encouraged her to focus on what she can do, not just what she can’t.
“I still have choices, I still have some control. So that was a really big difference for me.”
(Ann Renard, 08:10)

Coping Strategy

Acknowledge the Loss:
“Recognizing that this is a completely different life than you expected...can serve a purpose. It affirms what you're going through.”
(Speaker E, 08:46)

4. Asking for Help and Independence

Member Story: Ron Peterson

Challenge: Lifelong independence made it difficult to ask for assistance after losing vision.
“One of the things you learn when you're blind is you need help and you have to swallow your pride a little bit.”
(Ron Peterson, 11:33)

Coping Strategy

Plan and Normalize:
“For certain tasks, you may want to talk to [trusted people] in advance...it feels more like a plan and less like an intrusion.”
(Speaker G, 12:05)
Perspective Shift:
“In general, people like to help. Really. Think back to a time when someone asked you for help and how good it felt to be there for them.”
(Speaker G, 12:25)

5. Isolation and Loneliness

Member Story: Angela

Experience: Major depression and isolation, believing her life was “over” after a diagnosis.
Key Moment: A personal turning point led Angela to seek help online, discover Hadley and new resources, and reconnect with life.
“My whole entire world changed with just one search.”
(Angela, 15:26)

Coping Strategy

Confiding in One Person:
“If this sounds like you, you may want to try picking just one person in your life to confide in...Sharing...could begin to ease that sense of loneliness for you.”
(Speaker E, 16:38)

6. Navigating Changed Relationships

Member Story: Eugenia Theroux

Reluctance: Pulled away from friends and family, fearing to “let them down,” and struggled with the new dynamic of receiving help.
“I'm the one that pulls it all together. First up, it was difficult to ask people…”
(Eugenia Theroux, 20:23)
Awkward Interactions: Experiences of well-meaning but painful jokes, uncomfortable adjustments.

Coping Strategy

Mutual Adjustment:
“It takes time and trial and error for everyone involved to figure out what works now and what may not anymore.”
(Speaker E, 21:25)

7. Self-Esteem and Redefining Identity

Member Story: Kara Snyder

Identity Crisis: An artist whose work and sense of self were upended by vision loss.
Growth: Through experimentation, support, and focusing on her other senses, she rebuilt confidence and rediscovered purpose.
“Because the markers I used in my life to define myself...were based in a visual interpretation of the world...So when that became lost to me, it really made me redefine what constitutes meaning in my life.”
(Kara Snyder, 24:28)

Coping Strategy

Focus on Strengths:
“There are things you can do...to help work through these common emotions. One thing...is...try to focus on the strengths and abilities you still have.”
(Speaker J, 27:17)
Shared Human Experience:
“Everyone will face losses in their lifetime. Everyone. It's part of being human.”
(Speaker J, 27:38)
Embrace the Nonlinear Path:
“Expect that things won't always progress in a straight line.”
(Speaker J, 27:48)

Notable Quotes & Moments

On scaling support:
“Our challenge...was finding a way to scale that help to many, many more people who may be feeling a bit stuck.”
(Joan Yeager, 03:10)
On coping with loss:
“It's okay to say to yourself, this is hard and I really wish it wasn't happening. To me, the very act of acknowledging this reality for many can be a bit of an emotional release.”
(Speaker E, 09:16)
On asking for help:
“I laugh every time I hear that clip because we know so many people like that. And I appreciate that...reminder of, hey, think about when somebody asked you for help and were you all like, no, I don't want to do that.”
(Ricky Enger, 12:47)
On isolation:
“Even just knowing that you're not alone gives you a bit more courage for many to say others are feeling the same way.”
(Joan Yeager, 18:06)
On changing relationships:
“People don't know how to react to illnesses or vision loss. They just don't. You know, you're trying to navigate it yourself, but you're trying to help them navigate it, too. It's a journey for all of us.”
(Eugenia Theroux, 21:02)
On self-worth:
“It doesn't define you. It is a part of who you are. It is not you. This loss of vision.”
(Joan Yeager, 29:31)

Timestamps for Important Segments

Closing Thoughts and How to Connect

Accessing the Series: Available on hadleyhelps.org and the newly launched Hadley app (call 800-323-4238 for help).
Support is Always Personal:
“At Hadley, our support center specialists can help you...We really can wrap around some extra pieces of support. And one of the things that's important to know at Hadley is you'll always talk to a person.”
(Joan Yeager, 18:31)
All services are free:
“It is all free. So if you’re listening and you haven’t created a Hadley account, give us a call if you need some assistance with that.”
(Ricky Enger, 30:28)
Call to Action: Listeners are encouraged to check out the full series and provide feedback, ensuring continued improvement and relevance of Hadley’s resources.