I Speak Veteran
California native Susan Ashby graduated high school with a plan. She enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, an uncommon career path for a woman in 1976. From tech school in San Antonio, to Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, to an overseas extended tour in Germany, Ashby worked as an administrative assistant before establishing herself in education.
She married and, after three and a half years, left military service and raised four children. Then, at age 43, Ashby faced something she never planned ... a life- changing disability.
“I’ve lost several jobs because of my disability; was ashamed of having a disability,” Ashby said. “I have a relative of macular degeneration that makes it hard for me to read; makes it very difficult for me to see at all.” Although a slow-progressing condition, Ashby has lived with her disability for nearly 20 years and is now considered legally blind.
“Having a disability is a lot like losing someone you love. You go through the seven stages of grief. My default coping mechanisms were avoidance and denial. It took years to admit this is real.” It is an everyday challenge, impacting every decision she makes. “Familiarity is my safe zone.”
Support from the low-vision clinic at Jewell VA Clinic has helped this tenacious Veteran accept her disability.
“I don’t feel like a freak. I don’t feel different … it is what it is.” Understandably, Ashby still fights thoughts of despair. “I’m 65 and disabled. Who will want to hire me? I fear a time when I cannot fully take care of myself. What will I do then?”
Undefeated, Ashby continues to work. In 2016, she joined the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System's Office of Community Care (OCC). She also continues to make lifestyle adjustments; most recently, she hung up her car keys and took the bus to work. She acknowledges other professional limitations as well.
“I will not advance in my job. I have the knowledge, I have the ability, but I have to take my vision into account. I’d have to travel for training [and use standard monitors]. That’s difficult for me.”
Despite challenges, this overcomer spends her day working on a computer at OCC. Ashby wears special glasses and uses a magnifier to view the screen, the magnification for which is different with each program, but she adjusts as needed to get the work done.
“I consider the VA the best job I have ever had. The VA sees me for my ability; they do not see me as a disability. My co-workers know they can come to me for help. My superiors know the job will be done correctly. I also love helping my Veterans.”
Quite fittingly, Ashby’s workgroup at OCC includes ophthalmology.
“If one of my ophthalmology patients tells me how worried they are when they’re losing their vision, I let them know they are not alone. I also share about my wonderful care at the Jewell Low-Vision Clinic.”
Ashby likes knowing she’s serving fellow Veterans in a manner that is needed and makes a difference. She shares their unique perspective.
“I often tell the patients, 'I speak Veteran,' I speak 'community care,' and I speak 'visual impairment,' so when it comes to doing my job, I can give them the correct answers because I’ve walked down that road.”
If you have questions about health services available for vision, or other needs, talk to your primary care provider about resources.