At 13 years of age, my parents and I visited an eye surgeon (外科医生). As I sat in the examining chair, the doctor looked into my eyes, shining a bright light. "She did inherit(经遗传得的) it," he said with coldness. "There is no cure."
My father carried a gene (基因) causing blindness. I’d gotten the gene since my birth. He gradually lost his eyesight and so did I. At last we were both completely blind. At that time, he was 57 years old, but I was only 30.
My world fell apart (崩溃) as the darkness fell, destroying the dreams my husband and I had for us and for our three little boys. But when I tried to find some hope and strength, my eyes were opened to a new realization.
My father had given me not just failing eyesight, but an example of determination in the face of trouble as well。We were all living in Bolivia in 1964 when he decided to move the family to America. He and Mom worked tirelessly to win the right of living in the US.
Alone in the States, he overcame his helplessness and lack of fluency in English to rent a small apartment, and buy airline tickets for my mom, my brother and me.
Decades later, as an American citizen, I looked back at what he’d taught me. He set an example proving that determination is crucial to success. His journey taught me valuable lessons for dealing with my blindness.
I did the same as I stepped into a dark world. My father’s example made me gain confidence and learn to be thankful for what I had. In this way， now know how to continue life as a wife, mom, Sunday school teacher, Spanish court interpreter, inspirational speaker and writer.
What I inherited from my father helped me to see my life with a more meaningful glow.