Julie Lintzman is no stranger to vision loss or to Outlook Enrichment’s programs, but lately, she’s been smiling ear to ear and feeling lighter, with a renewed sense of possibility. We are so grateful to be part of this chapter in her journey. After facing vision loss and a season of overwhelming hardship, Julie made a choice: she would live on her own terms. What followed was a journey of courage, community, and newfound confidence.
Balancing Work, Family, and Vision Loss
Healthcare has always been a part of Julie’s life; she graduated from Immanuel School of Nursing in 1976 and began her career as a rehabilitation nurse. With a rewarding job, a husband, and a son, her life felt full and typical until, at 37, she began to notice changes in her vision.
Years later, Julie would connect with Outlook Enrichment at a health fair at Baxter Arena, but at that time, she was just beginning to understand how much her life was about to change. A visit to the eye doctor led to a diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a chronic eye condition with no cure that can eventually lead to total blindness. RP progresses gradually, and as Julie’s vision declined, the demands of clinical nursing became harder to manage.
For the last 15 years of her career, Julie transitioned into the insurance field, reviewing fraud claims. She admits that coping with these changes was not easy. As her vision continued to decline, her family’s needs only grew. Having spent much of her life as a caretaker, Julie found herself losing touch with her own well-being while supporting her husband through chronic health challenges and her son through mental health struggles.
Finding Community During Life’s Hardest Season
To fill her own cup, Julie became a regular participant in Outlook Enrichment’s art workshops, finding both creativity and connection. But another obstacle soon appeared. Living outside public transportation routes meant she relied on her husband for rides, and as his health worsened, her options for transportation became increasingly limited.
She adapted by finding ways to escape without leaving her home, such as doing yardwork and reading books. During the height of COVID-19, Julie also became a familiar face in our virtual programming. She joined the Audiobook Club and virtual game nights, often the first to log on and the last to leave. Even through a screen, she found community.
As her husband’s health declined and he began requiring full-time care, the weight Julie was carrying grew heavier. Without reliable transportation or support, daily life became increasingly difficult to navigate as her vision loss progressed. When her husband entered hospice care, Julie made the difficult decision to relocate to an assisted living facility.
In a short span of time, her son was incarcerated, her husband passed away, and she was diagnosed with cancer, requiring radiation treatments. It was a year filled with grief and challenges. Yet Julie has survived the storm, and in the aftermath, she has made space for something new: joy.
At 71, Julie Embraces a New Chapter
Today, Julie is 71 years old, and she wears it as a badge of honor. Last summer, she stepped far outside her comfort zone. A recent party patio ride was, in her words, “the best time I can remember having in a long time.” Axe throwing? “A hoot.” She even pedaled 10 miles on a tandem bike ride. Her perspective has shifted in a powerful way, “I’m going to live my life the way I want to now, and I’m not looking back. My only regret is not starting to do this earlier.“
Through Outlook Enrichment’s peer support groups and recreational activities, Julie has begun to recognize just how capable she is. She enjoys asking questions about adaptive technology, working through issues with her smartphone, meeting new people, and receiving encouragement to try public transportation.
“My favorite activity is riding MOBY. I don’t know what I was always so scared of. I tend to overthink things and focus too much on the pros and cons. Turns out there really are no cons besides maybe having to wait a little while, but I’ve got nothing but time. I don’t even mind being the last one dropped off, I’d like to ride around all day,” she shared.
With the support of the Outlook team and the community she has built, Julie has come to an empowering realization: if others who are blind or visually impaired are out doing things, she can do them too. Here’s to the beginning of many new adventures, bigger smiles, and lasting memories. Julie, we are so proud of you.
If you or someone you know could benefit from Outlook Enrichment’s programs and services, we would love to connect and explore how we can help support your goals.
