Client Stories

Each year the New Hampshire Association for the Blind helps many hundreds of people continue to lead active and independent lives despite severe vision loss. But our many vital services receive no operational government funding. Over 70% of our client services are paid for by charitable contributions.

Kathy Wyrick

Twenty-four years ago, shortly after her marriage to Robert, Kathy Wyrick received a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis, which ultimately led to an eye condition affecting her vision. Now, Kathy is legally blind. She says, “Blindness is a lifestyle change but I try not to allow my medical issues and sight challenges to define who I am as a person.” Kathy feels fortunate with the unconditional love from her family and a faithful little dog named Chamois. While Kathy freely admits, “this is not the life my husband and I chose,” it could be a lot worse.
In 2002, vision rehabilitation professionals from the New Hampshire Association for the Blind assessed her needs and provided a variety of low vision “tools” to help her do the things she needed and wanted to do. Arlene and Cici, volunteers with the New Hampshire Association for the Blind, have worked with Kathy over the years. Both have become her very good friends. It is fair to say that Arlene and Cici’s lives have “been enriched as a result of knowing Kathy.”

Today, Kathy maintains a beautiful home, cooks, makes jewelry and other crafts, and is an avid gardener. She works along side her husband as business owners of Warner’s Card and Gift Shop in Portsmouth. This is one way Kathy stays actively involved in her community. Warner’s has been in Robert’s family for many years. Though Kathy has good days and bad days, her philosophy is to “be happy with what you can accomplish.” Kathy’s husband says that he “often forgets that she is blind because she acts so independent.”

David Patton

“If you believe, you can do it!” So says David Patton, a client at the New Hampshire Association for the Blind. In 2008, David lost much of his sight due to two strokes. Driving truck was no longer an option for his livelihood. Being an active and productive member of society was very important to him. He sought help from a number of sources including Steve Barbas at Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired who works closely with professionals at the New Hampshire Association for the Blind. Together, they helped David. He learned white cane travel, applied for and attended Guiding Eyes for the Blind and has a guide dog, named Sabrina.

David loves to bake and has started his own specialty cake business, PattyCake, PattyCake. He created a special cake for the Association’s 2011 Blind Awareness Walk-A-Thon. Besides baking, David is busy with his wife and four children. He is a member of the Manchester Lions Club and was recently asked to serve on the Board of NH Soccer Association TOPSoccer, a soccer program for disabled kids.

Jessica Laurie

Jessica Laurie is on the move! Born with Retinitis Pigmentosa, Jessica has little useable vision. Yet at an early age she learned how to ride horseback, ski down a mountain, swim and run — all activities she continues to do today!

In fact Jessica and her guide dog, Otis, have left Georges Mills, New Hampshire and are now finding their way around Providence, RI where Jessica started her freshman year at Providence College this past September. Business/Law/Health are her interests at this point. With a strong work ethic and gritty determination, Jessica navigates the city of Providence and college life from doing her laundry, handling her finances, attending classes, and much more.

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