I have lived, eaten, and breathed blindness-related issues most of my adult life, having lived and worked primarily with those with visual disabilities since 1968. My late husband was blinded in an accident at age nineteen; one of my best friends, with whom I'm visiting at the moment, has been blind since her birth in 1949.
I'm now working with disabled adults in their homes, and my primary client is going through the prolonged progress of Alzheimer disease alongside her Downs syndrome. They are learning that most individuals with Downs who reach their late fifties are prone to Alzheimer's--one of the realizations that has come with finally seeing such individuals survive past their forties. I haven't seen fit to visit this condition on Tribbals Broadloam, hoping that Hobbits don't often experience this condition. But as I've indicated in author's notes, for someone who has had such up-close-and-personal experiences working with individuals with many disabilities for so many years, it's only to be expected, I suppose, that I include those who are seen as disabled and different in my writings; and I have tried as much as I can to make these individuals consistent with those I've known who have known such conditions.
I was inspired to begin writing by Lindelea's story "A Small and Passing Thing," long before either of us was aware that in his letters Tolkien indicated that Frodo's distress was primarily psychological and spiritual in nature rather than physical. Having started down this path, I've merely sought to follow it through. I know from my reading of Holocaust literature that many of the survivors there were very often physical as well as emotional repercussions from the often prolonged periods of physical and psychological stress; and considering all Frodo particularly endured I simply found it hard to believe there were no long-term problems afterwards.
I am delighted that you appreciate the relationship I've woven into Tolkien's own fabric tying Frodo, Sam, and Aragorn together spiritually. Thank you so very much!
A few years ago, not long after my husband died, I found myself going through a very low point of my own; writing these stories has helped me more than I can say to keep sane in often unbelievable circumstances. That they have helped others in similar circumstances is wonderful! May you and I both find the future far brighter and more heartening!
The world is often stressful; my stories, both these and my original stories, have repeatedly helped me deal with problems and difficulties as well as giving me a means of trying out possible reactions to situations before going through them personally. I rejoice so that they have helped you, too, however it has happened. You've made a short teacher-lady feel as if I have truly managed to help make the world a bit better. Thank you so very much, and God bless and keep you.
I have lived, eaten, and breathed blindness-related issues most of my adult life, having lived and worked primarily with those with visual disabilities since 1968. My late husband was blinded in an accident at age nineteen; one of my best friends, with whom I'm visiting at the moment, has been blind since her birth in 1949.
I'm now working with disabled adults in their homes, and my primary client is going through the prolonged progress of Alzheimer disease alongside her Downs syndrome. They are learning that most individuals with Downs who reach their late fifties are prone to Alzheimer's--one of the realizations that has come with finally seeing such individuals survive past their forties. I haven't seen fit to visit this condition on Tribbals Broadloam, hoping that Hobbits don't often experience this condition. But as I've indicated in author's notes, for someone who has had such up-close-and-personal experiences working with individuals with many disabilities for so many years, it's only to be expected, I suppose, that I include those who are seen as disabled and different in my writings; and I have tried as much as I can to make these individuals consistent with those I've known who have known such conditions.
I was inspired to begin writing by Lindelea's story "A Small and Passing Thing," long before either of us was aware that in his letters Tolkien indicated that Frodo's distress was primarily psychological and spiritual in nature rather than physical. Having started down this path, I've merely sought to follow it through. I know from my reading of Holocaust literature that many of the survivors there were very often physical as well as emotional repercussions from the often prolonged periods of physical and psychological stress; and considering all Frodo particularly endured I simply found it hard to believe there were no long-term problems afterwards.
I am delighted that you appreciate the relationship I've woven into Tolkien's own fabric tying Frodo, Sam, and Aragorn together spiritually. Thank you so very much!
A few years ago, not long after my husband died, I found myself going through a very low point of my own; writing these stories has helped me more than I can say to keep sane in often unbelievable circumstances. That they have helped others in similar circumstances is wonderful! May you and I both find the future far brighter and more heartening!
The world is often stressful; my stories, both these and my original stories, have repeatedly helped me deal with problems and difficulties as well as giving me a means of trying out possible reactions to situations before going through them personally. I rejoice so that they have helped you, too, however it has happened. You've made a short teacher-lady feel as if I have truly managed to help make the world a bit better. Thank you so very much, and God bless and keep you.
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