Renee’s Story

Building Independence Through Vision Forward

Renee Jones came to Vision Forward after being referred by her eye doctor for activities of daily living (ADL) training. Renee lost her vision due to a congenital condition caused by retinopathy of prematurity, along with secondary glaucoma. From the very beginning, she shared a clear and heartfelt goal: she wanted to become more independent and rely less on her family for everyday tasks.

Ready to Learn and Grow

While Renee had received loving support from her family since childhood, she was ready to build the skills and confidence to do more on her own. Working closely with Rose, Occupational Therapist at Vision Forward, Renee set out to learn a wide range of skills—from organizing and identifying clothing, food, and personal items, to managing money, cleaning her home, preparing meals, and navigating her kitchen safely.

A Positive Attitude and a Willingness to Try

Throughout her training, Renee approached each lesson with determination, curiosity, and a positive attitude. Even when tasks felt challenging, she persisted, welcomed feedback, and never hesitated to try again. She asked thoughtful questions and was eager to continue learning, even requesting follow-up resources from Rose so she could practice and grow outside of sessions.

Discovering Confidence in the Kitchen

One area where Renee truly shined was food preparation—something she had previously relied on her mother to help with. With Rose’s guidance, Renee learned adaptive tools and techniques that opened up a whole new world of independence in the kitchen. She safely cut vegetables, baked a chocolate cake, cooked pasta and hamburger helper on the stovetop, made hamburgers using a small appliance, and prepared grilled cheese sandwiches and French toast. In fact, Renee proudly became the very first client to cook in the daily living kitchen at Vision Forward’s new location—a milestone that perfectly reflects her courage and progress.

Looking Ahead With Confidence and Support

As Renee nears the completion of her ADL training, she is stepping forward with greater confidence and independence. She has shared her goal of moving out on her own and feels empowered knowing she now has the tools and skills to navigate daily life more safely and independently. The techniques she learned at Vision Forward will continue to support her as she takes these next steps. Renee’s journey is a powerful example of what is possible when determination meets opportunity—made even stronger by the unwavering encouragement and support of her mom, who has been by her side every step of the way. Together, their partnership helped lay the foundation for Renee’s success, and we are incredibly proud of all she has accomplished.