FOSTORIA—When Dorothy Droll was just 4 years old, she lost an eye in a childhood accident. Despite limited vision, she managed to live a rich life until 1998 when she began to lose sight in her remaining eye due to macular degeneration. As it became difficult for Mrs. Droll to read and recognize faces, she and her family became concerned about her quality of life. “My children (four daughters and a son) were all worried about my future. My daughter asked, ‘What are we going to do with Mom?’ ” says Mrs. Droll.

Then Mrs. Droll’s daughter heard about a support group in Marion, Ohio, for people with vision loss. She took her mother to a meeting. “I was so impressed with the group,” says Mrs. Droll. “It was wonderful to see all these people together.”

The experience inspired Mrs. Droll to form a similar group for the vision impaired in her hometown of Fostoria and the surrounding communities. The pastor at St. Wendelin Parish kindly offered the use of meeting space and in 2000, “As Eye See It” met for the first time. The group adopted the motto: “Don’t let what you can’t do keep you from doing what you can do.”  

Mrs. Droll says, “I don’t like it that I can’t see very well. But in a way, it’s been a blessing in disguise.” What had saddened her most about her vision loss, she explains, was that she could no longer visit nursing homes and engage in the other volunteer activities she had loved. “Forming this group became my way to continue helping others.”

“As Eye See It” is an informal group that meets the first Wednesday of every month, excluding January and February. Around 30 individuals, mostly elderly, attend each meeting to share experiences and socialize.

Mrs. Droll, along with what she calls her “network of angels,” arranges for a guest speaker each month. Speakers have included Father Richard Saelzler, chaplain at the Ursuline Center in Toledo, who talked about the experience of losing his eyesight; a local pharmacist who discussed drug interactions; and a group member who explained the process he went through to obtain a Seeing Eye dog.

“I have made such beautiful friends through this group,” says Mrs. Droll. She adds that members look forward to the meetings because it gives them a chance to get out of the house and connect with others who “are in the same boat.”

At 81 years old, Mrs. Droll isn’t sure how much longer she will be able to coordinate the group. “My husband keeps telling me I am too old,” she laughs.  “But I won’t stop. It is something I look forward to. It keeps me uplifted.”

For more information about “As Eye See It,” contact Mrs. Droll at 419-435-6348 or Pat Beeson at 419-435-8229.