Hello and welcome to spring! For those of you who don’t know me, I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Sharon Donovan and I write stories of inspiration and suspense. I will be posting tid bits all day long about myself and my books, and I hope you join in the fun. I’ll be posting some trivia contests and giving prizes. So grab your favorite cup of coffee and join me. I’m drinking a cup of hazelnut, one of my favorite brews.
I hope you all had a pleasant and relaxing Easter. Even with the rebirth of the earth after a long winter, the birds chirping in the trees and the first crocuses popping their heads out of the soil, Easter takes me back to when I was six years old. I was rushed to Children’s Hospital three days before the holiday, nearly in a coma and was diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic. I spent the next two weeks in the hospital learning how to give insulin shots. From this day on, there would be no chocolate, sweets or ice cream.
As the years went by, I learned of the many complications associated with diabetes, diabetic retinopathy leading the list. This condition causes fragile blood vessels to grow and rupture in the retina and can lead to progressive blindness. Due to the early onslaught of the disease, I was at high risk for developing retinopathy.
And at the age of twenty-one, I experienced the first bout with blindness. I worked as a legal secretary in the Family Division where I prepared cases for judges. But painting was my passion, my life. Losing myself in tranquil settings was my sanctuary, a place where I could escape and not think of the threat of blindness. But as the years went on, more and more vision faded, and painting became increasingly more difficult. My heart wept. I underwent surgeries for the next two decades. Vision came and went. But through it all, I painted through magnification.
When a doctor suggested I have an operation using a new technique to remove scar tissue which had formed on my retinas, I put my trust in him. Much to my shock, I came out of the surgery totally blind, with nothing other than a few bright lights flashing. Devastated, my world as I knew it came to a screeching halt.
With great reluctance, I enrolled in a sixteen week program for the blind and visually impaired where I learned mobility, personal adjustment and the use of a computer with adaptive software, converting text to synthesized speech. Hope soared for the first time in years. With the aid of this screen reader, I can use all Window-based programs including the Internet, Microsoft and all its features, email and so much more. And through the gift of modern technology, I found the courage to compete in a sighted world I was once part of.
After completing this program for the blind and visually impaired, I enrolled in my local college for medical transcription. Almost immediately I knew it wasn’t for me, but I stuck with it. Can you imagine all those voices? There was my screen narrator and then there was the doctor’s voice on the tape, dictating. I felt as if I might snap. And not only that, but transcribing did nothing to stir my creative muse. As fate would have it, my life took yet another unexpected turn. Through creative writing classes, a new dream resurrected. Today, instead of painting my pictures on canvas, I paint my pictures with words.
- About the Author
- Posts in the Past
Sharon Donovan has been writing stories of inspiration and suspense since the loss of her vision due to diabetic retinopathy. Prior to this, she was a legal secretary in the Court of Common Pleas where she prepared cases for judges. Sharon has certificates in both business and medical transcription. Art was her passion. Devastated when she could no longer paint, a new dream resurrected. Today, instead of painting her pictures on canvas, she paints her pictures with words.
Hey Sharon! You know I gotta say it again, your work is outstanding. I get a really feel good feeling when I see your name somewhere. I am glad you wrote about the diabetic part of your life. My mother in law was recently diagnosed as well as her sister and we are learning about the complications of this disease. I think the more people like you talk about the effects and how you are overcoming it, it helps the rest of us you know? Anyway, just wanted to give you a shout out and to tell you that I look forward to more of your books!
Hi Sharon,
A wonderful post. All that you have been through…you overcame the challenges and made your dream a reality. I’m so inspired by you.
Thanks for sharing…
Christine
You’re an inspiration to us all. May the rest of us be as brave as you are.
Hi Sharon. Looking forward to what you have to share with us today.
Hi Sharon,
Hope you’re having a fun day of blogging. Congrats on the terrific reviews. I love those Coffee Time reviewers!
I’ll stop by again later.
Enjoy your day.
Sharon Horton
I would like to thank CTR for having me guest blog with you today. And a special thanks to Bonnie for all your help! Stick around all day for contests, prizes and news on upcoming books.
My heart goes out to you! I was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes 24 years ago and I know how tough it is, though I still have my vision. I’m glad you found your heart’s desire and are able to continue to paint your pictures, even if it is with words and not with your original dream. Dreams can change and take shape in other ways, and I’m glad you’re able to live yours. Thanks for sharing your inspiring story!
Hey Val! You always put a big smile on my face! Thanks for stopping by. But on a more serious note, you are so right about diabetes. I’m sorry for the recent diagnoses in your family. Like I say in my narrative non-fiction, this has reached a world wide epidemic and must be stopped. My upcoming memoir about the loss of my vision will teach the educated how to prevent complications. We must find a cure. Stick around for a very descriptive peek into this memoir, Echo of a Raven. It is all about the 16 weeks I spent in an institute for the blind. I fought it every step of the way. But in the end, what didn’t kill me made me stronger…
Hi Christine. Thanks so much for your encouraging words. It’s been a long and winding road–and a few years back, you wouldn’t catch me dead talking about my blindness. But two of my writing teachers pushed me, saying the memoirs I wrote about must be made public to educate. So here I am, putting the finishing touches on Echo of a Raven, my narrative non-fiction. I am doing it for the children, the juvenile diabetics. If I can prevent one child from living in fear of losing his or her vision, my memoir will be a smashing success and worth swallowing my pride…
Hi Linda. Thanks so much for dropping by and for your inspiring words! They mean so much to me, truly and help me to overcome my still alien world. I suppose I will never adjust to it, but will as they say, take every day one step at a time.
Hey Cindy! Stick around for some fun contests, trivia and upcoming books. Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Sharon! Thanks for dropping in. Yes, I’m having fun and agree with you. It is always such a fantastic feeling to get a rave review. It keeps us writers doing what we do best–write…write…write…
Hi Emma. Can you believe how many of us are out there? Thank God you have not experienced the vision problems. That is such a fear, learning of the countless and devastating complications associated with both type 1 and type 2. I pray a cure will be found soon. Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I still do my best to ward off the other complications by diet, exercise and sugar restriction. On a good note, it makes us healthier, right?!! And, yes, dreams can change. I had no idea I would find my creative muse once more, but I did. And I thank God. Without modern technology, I would be lost and would be unable to write. But I’m still holding my breath and crossing my fingers for the day a new procedure wil be announced for restoring vision to retinopathy. My doctors have not given up so why should i? Until I draw my last breath, I will hope for a cure…
Hi, Sharon,
Just stopping by to say hello and wish you the best. See you soon at Pennwriters!
Hi Liana! Thanks for dropping by. And I look forward to another one of your inspiring workshops at the Pennwriters conference in a few.
Sharon, I feel like our paths keep crossing lately! You are a strong lady, and I’m thrilled to know you. Congratulations on your writing, and you certainly are a voice of strength for many who are struggling.
Many blessings, my friend!
Ashley
Thanks so much, Ashley. Because of my struggles, I feel the need to write stories of inspiration for those reaching out. But, oh I do so enjoy a good suspense, a good ol’ who done it!
Great to have you sharing your story today, Sharon. You know I’m one of your big supporters!
Sharon, your story is so inspiring and uplifting – I admire both your talent and your tenacity. Thanks for letting us get to know you better, and for sharing that talent with all of us. Best of success, and God Bless!
Thanks so much, Rae! And you know I’m your biggest fan for designing me that totally awesome website!
Hi Marianne. Thanks for dropping by and for your encouraging words. I have a long way to go but sharing what I’ve learned with others facing the same dilemma helps me to be a better person.
Sharon,
I’m so glad I didn’t miss you! I thought you were here the whole week and I had missed out. But I see it’s been all day. Glad I have time to catch up, since I wasn’t on my computer .
Julie
Sharon,
I’m glad you are finding the strength to talk about your experiences with this devastating change in your life. Thank you for sharing, and may God continue to give you the courage to help others.
Julie
Thanks for your encouragement, Julie. Sometimes I can hardly believe the twist my life has taken, but without my writing, without my faith and hope for a brighter tomorrow, I’d be in a much darker place than I am now. Writing both stories of inspiration and stories of suspense keep me balanced! But mostly, it is through God, friends and family support that I find the strength to continue this journey.
Can’t wait for Echo of a Raven
ThanksVal. I only hope it gives strength to those living in fear as I did, especially the kids.