In the past, I’ve blogged about the possibility of a link between retinoblastoma and determination

Mary, an adult survivor, contacted me with her story after reading this blog. I’ve published it here with her permission. It’s a truly inspirational story.

My left eye was enucleated in 1951, when I was a year old.

Due to family finances, I had to work while attending a private high school, eventually paying all of the tuition myself. I was the first person in my family to graduate HS.

I eventually made it through college and grad school, commuted to work by motorcycle, raised my five kids, edited a literary magazine, reviewed music and theatre for a daily newspaper, and now work full time for a govt agency evaluating social service programs and designing and providing staff training to improve program’s outcomes.

I also teach part-time at a university.

I taught myself to play violin and piano, and have almost five years recovery from melanoma.

People say they admire what I’ve done with my life, which is when I think about the fact that I’ve had a pretty eventful 58 years.

My biggest problem resulting from RB is that I have a little trouble parallel parking.

People who like me say I’m determined, those who don’t call me pig-headed.

Actually, both are correct.

If RB had anything to do with my determination, it’s been a true blessing, the silver lining that overcame the cloud.

Mary’s story speaks for itself. Thanks for allowing me to share it with others, Mary.