In the fall of 2019, Sheri Robinson's eyesight started to get blurry and she had excruciating migraines. A few days later, a grey spot appeared in her left eye. By December 10th, she had no sight in her left eye and, by December 15th, she had none in her right eye either.
Sheri spent more than two weeks in the hospital undergoing testing and procedures. They diagnosed her with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), an autoimmune disease that attacks the optic nerve and frequently continues to move to the brain and then the spine.
Sheri's passion has always been horses. She earned her BA in equine management and worked for many years on thoroughbred and standardbred horse farms in Kentucky. Then, a divorce, house fire, and financial challenges prompted her to move from Kentucky closer to family in North Carolina.
Until Covid-19 halted in-person learning, Sheri took a two-hour bus ride to attend a weekly living skills class. This was where she gained valuable skills and friendships. It is also where she found out about Hadley.
Sheri started learning with Hadley in December 2020. Since then, she has completed over 70 workshops across all Hadley subject areas—technology, braille, daily living, recreation, adjusting to vision loss, and working.
"I don't feel totally overwhelmed as I did when I first went blind," Sheri states. Learning through Hadley has given Sheri a sense of confidence that "you can get up and get out and do anything." Getting out for Sheri includes feeding her horses every day. A rope rigged from her gate to the barn guides the way and because she knows the animals and work so well, she has been able to continue caring for them herself. She's even resumed riding.
She explains, "Hadley has been a big help. If I wasn't joining these discussion groups and going through the workshops I'd probably still be hunkered down in my bed, covers over my head, crying and weeping into my pillow." Sheri is a huge fan and enthusiastic participant of Hadley's Discussion Groups. She attends most of them regularly and especially looks forward to the Book Nook and Tech It Out. Because of her significant contributions to these forums, she has been recognized as one of Hadley’s H.E.R.O.E.S. for "engaging with peers to help them thrive."
"I've really enjoyed the camaraderie and kinship. Knowing that these people are in the same boat, that they also are still learning how to deal with it is great," Sheri said. "I knew before that I wasn’t alone but it really kind of stresses it when I can get on and talk to people who feel the same way."