A Veteran’s New Chapter: Josh Scarborough’s Story

With Veterans Day taking place this month, we’re spotlighting one of our own, Josh Scarborough, a veteran whose journey has taken him across the globe and ultimately led him to embrace a new chapter at Outlook Nebraska.

From active deployment to navigating the challenges of vision loss, Josh’s story is a powerful reminder that with the proper resources, it’s possible to rediscover purpose, rebuild confidence, and let your inner light shine.

 

Josh’s Path to Service in the U.S. Army

Josh was born in Upper Michigan and raised in Florida, growing up in a military family that was often on the move. He decided to enlist in the Army at 17, motivated by a desire to improve his life by changing his environment and building a more positive future. One of the benefits of serving was the opportunity to take college courses, which he noted is strongly encouraged within the military. During his service, he earned a degree in Military History and a minor in Military Science.

After choosing to enlist in the Army, he completed academic tests and physical exams to determine his Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), aiming for a role he described as “cool”. Initially, he was set to be a gunner/crewman for the BMG-71 TOW, but when that position was phased out, he shifted to Direct Fire Infantry, where he spent most of his military career. Josh served in multiple units, including mechanized, air assault, light infantry, and combined arms.  

 

The Highs and Hardships of Infantry Life

Josh is not one to sit still. “I didn’t like garrison life,” he admitted, referring to his time spent on base. Instead, he preferred deployment and was often in the U.S. for only 2 to 3 months at a time. He shared that while you can have a wish list of preferred deployment locations, it ultimately depends on what your branch manager can arrange. His favorite deployments were to South Korea, where he spent four to five years stationed around the country from the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) to the city’s capital, Seoul. Over the years, his service took him to other places as well, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, and the Philippines, and even across the ocean by ship while guarding equipment.

However, life in the military comes with risks and tribulations. During his first enlistment, Josh began experiencing vision issues, especially at night, even while using night-vision equipment. He realized that a series of multiple injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), sustained from improvised explosive devices (IEDs), were damaging his vision. One incident he recalled occurred during the surge in Iraq. He was riding in a Humvee when it flipped from impact, pinning him in a canal. This incident resulted in a concussion and a neck injury, requiring him to be medically evacuated to Germany. After 11 years of service, Josh separated from the Army. Having to start a new chapter in life, Josh chose to move near his sister, his closest relative, who was stationed at Offutt Air Force Base. 

 

Finding a New Home at Outlook Nebraska

Within just a few months of moving, Josh learned about Outlook Nebraska and was quickly hired on the manufacturing floor.  Today, Josh works as an Operator at Outlook Nebraska and continues to enjoy the hands-on nature of his job. One of his favorite activities during his shift is listening to audiobooks. “I loved reading as a kid; it keeps my mind and creativity going,” he shared.

Transitioning to life with vision loss wasn’t easy. He described the most challenging part as figuring out where to seek help and learning how to adapt to new technology. Through Outlook Enrichment, he learned to use a cane and accessibility features such as Magnifier on his phone.

He described his current vision as limited to shadows with his left eye, fuzzy tunnel vision in his right eye, and difficulty seeing in low-light conditions. Despite these challenges, Josh is grateful for Outlook Nebraska and the support he’s received. “I’ve met some really good, patient people. I had some adapting and growing up to do, and I don’t know where I’d be without Outlook. I love working; it keeps me busy.”

 

Terra is packing toilet paper on the manufacturing floor. "Career Opportunities That Build Brighter Futures - Learn More."

 

This Veterans Day, we honor Josh and all who have served. When asked what advice he would give to fellow veterans facing similar challenges, Josh said, “There are organizations that can help you. Your biggest obstacle is yourself.” Regarding his experience working at Outlook Nebraska, he added: “Outlook Nebraska lets you succeed and grow as much as you want to and are capable of.”

If you or a loved one is a blind or visually impaired veteran seeking support, whether through our community programs or employment, we’re here to help. Please complete our Employment Interest Form or contact Outlook Enrichment to get in touch.

Let’s continue to uplift and empower those who have sacrificed so much in service to our country.

Talking Sports, Internships, and Big Dreams with Emily Keating

In this episode, we are joined by Emily Keating, a client and passionate sports enthusiast who aspires to become a sports writer. She shares her experience as an intern at Hurrdat Sports and talks about her personal and professional goals for the future.

Emily also reflects on the challenges she’s faced and the resources that have supported her journey, whether in college, at work, or through Outlook Enrichment.

Why Diabetes Puts Your Vision at Risk and How to Protect It

November is National Diabetes Month, a time to raise awareness about diabetes and promote preventive care for related health issues, including vision loss. According to the NIDDK, diabetes affects approximately 38 million Americans, including both adults and youth. It’s also one of the leading causes of death in the United States.

Beyond the statistics, diabetes brings a range of complications that are often overlooked, including its serious impact on eye health. In this blog, we’ll explore what diabetes is, the eye conditions most linked to it, and how you can manage your health to protect your vision.

 

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose levels are too high. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin or use it effectively, resulting in glucose remaining in the blood instead of being utilized for energy. If left unmanaged, diabetes can lead to serious health complications over time, including organ and tissue failure.

Here’s a quick overview of the types of diabetes:

 

The Link Between Diabetes and Vision Loss

In addition to its overall health impacts, diabetes significantly increases the risk of developing severe eye conditions that can lead to vision loss. One of the most common complications of diabetes is diabetic retinopathy (DR), which can lead to vision impairment or even blindness. A 2021 study published in JAMA Ophthalmology estimated that 9.6 million people in the U.S. have diabetic retinopathy.

DR occurs when high blood glucose levels damage the retinal blood vessels. This condition can affect anyone with type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes, and often impacts both eyes. Common symptoms include blurred vision, spots or floaters, darkened vision, and vision loss.

Other diabetes-related eye conditions include:

 

Managing Your Diabetes and Protecting Your Eye Health

The good news is that effectively managing your diabetes through regular blood glucose monitoring, medication, and a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy and other related conditions.

If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, your healthcare provider may recommend annual comprehensive eye exams. These exams are crucial for detecting early signs of diabetic eye disease, monitoring its progression, and providing you with peace of mind about your eye health. It’s equally important to learn about the type of diabetes you have, as this knowledge will help you care for yourself and advocate for your needs more effectively.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential for managing diabetes. Depending on your individual circumstances, your healthcare provider may suggest meeting with a nutritionist. Outlook Enrichment is here to support your health and wellness journey, offering adaptive recreation classes, healthy cooking sessions, and a variety of peer support groups.

You can use personal assistants like Alexa to help manage your care, along with tools like ScripTalk, Spoken RX, braille, and large print materials to identify your medications safely. Additionally, there are accessible monitoring devices and insulin-measuring tools available, many of which can connect to your smartphone. Ultimately, it’s essential to create a medication management routine that works for you.

Managing diabetes involves more than just regulating blood glucose; it’s also about safeguarding your entire body, including your eyes.

 

A male client practicing cane travel with a male trainer. "Be Supported on Your Journey - Contact Us."

 

Living with diabetes is a journey, one that requires care, education, and support. Diabetic eye disease can be overwhelming, but early detection, informed lifestyle choices, and the use of community resources can make a significant difference.

This National Diabetes Month, let’s not only raise awareness but also take action. Prioritize your health by scheduling an eye exam, asking your doctor questions, and seeking the support you need. If diabetes has affected your vision, remember that you’re not alone. Schedule a meeting with Outlook Enrichment today.

 

References:

Creating a Workplace Culture Where Inclusion Drives Empowerment

In episode 11 of Outlook On-Air, we sit down with Julia Lockette, Accounting Specialist at Union Pacific, who shares her journey with vision loss and the role Outlook Enrichment has played in her life. She also offers heartfelt advice and talks about becoming an advocate for coworkers experiencing vision loss.

Teresa Selden, Julia’s boss and Revenue Account Manager – International Intermodal, at Union Pacific, also joins us. Teresa discusses the importance of open communication, ensuring Julia has access to the latest adaptive technology, and creating a workplace culture rooted in empathy, collaboration, and support.

Their story reminds us that accessibility fuels possibility. Workplaces that prioritize inclusion unlock potential, drive success, and embody what National Disability Employment Awareness Month is all about.

What a Patient and an Optometrist Want You to Know About Eye Exams

Interviews With:

Dr. Kyle Niemann, OD – Optometrist, Visual Eyes Optical
Megan Mackie – Community Events Coordinator, Outlook Enrichment

In the rush of daily life, it’s easy to overlook the small things, like visions. This sense is something many of us take for granted, until it begins to change.

In this blog, we share two unique perspectives on eye care: one from a patient and one from an optometrist. Their experiences together highlight the importance of routine eye exams and provide a deeper understanding of the diagnostic process from both sides of the exam room.

 

An Optometrist Shares What to Expect at an Eye Exam

When was the last time you had a comprehensive eye exam? Optometrists (OD) see hundreds of patients each year and recommend that everyone, whether blind, visually impaired, or without current vision concerns, receive a comprehensive exam annually. Why? Many eye diseases can progress silently, with little to no early symptoms, making regular checkups essential for protecting long-term eye health.

“Many of the traditional tests we perform during a regular comprehensive exam may need to be adapted to accommodate the level of visual impairment. One key difference between a low vision exam and a regular exam is how a refraction is performed. Visually impaired individuals may not notice subtle changes, so during the refraction, the doctor will need to determine the level at which the patient can detect a difference. The doctor will then arrive at glasses or contacts that may give you the most visual benefit,” explains Dr. Kyle

Vision loss exists on a spectrum. Some individuals are completely blind with no light perception, while others may be legally blind, have low vision, or simply need corrective lenses. In some cases, changes in vision may signal an underlying medical condition, such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, cataracts, or glaucoma, which are among the leading causes of vision impairment and blindness. Regardless of where someone falls on that spectrum, maintaining eye health is crucial for overall well-being.

Another critical component within the low vision exam is monitoring disease progression through several scans of the back part of the eye and optic nerve. These scans ensure that the disease is stable and not showing signs of rapid or dangerous changes. Patients may be referred to an ophthalmologist (OMD) for specialized treatment if their eye condition requires advanced care. In other instances, lifestyle adjustments may help slow the progression of vision loss, although a clear solution is not always present.

“Typically, a diagnosis is fairly straightforward with a simple update to the patient’s prescription. However, for patients with a visual impairment, the start of the conversation may be a bit different. One of the most important aspects of my approach is maintaining empathy for the patient. When dealing with sight-threatening diseases, it’s crucial to understand the patient’s situation and clearly explain the symptoms they may experience. I especially emphasize the importance of follow-up care to ensure stability of the disease and to prevent rapid progression. Many patients receive handouts, pamphlets, or are directed to a website for additional education. Outlook Enrichment has been a vital resource for patients struggling with daily activities, and it’s empowering to know there’s a place that can truly support and guide them,” shares Dr. Kyle.

 

A Patient’s Ongoing Journey with Diabetic Retinopathy

Growing up with diabetes, Megan Mackie was always aware that vision loss could be a potential complication. However, it wasn’t until she turned 28 that she noticed significant changes in her eyesight, which made it challenging to see at school and work. After failing an eye exam at the DMV, she realized it was time to visit an eye doctor.

“Initially, I could drive myself to the appointments. It all became routine: paperwork, then the waiting room. After being called back, I’d stop at a few machines for pictures of my eyes, receive dilation eye drops, wait in a dark room, and then proceed to the exam room. Repeating my eyesight status at every appointment became frustrating, and I was nervous about reading the eye chart because I could not accept that my eyesight was declining,” Megan explains.

At this point, she had been diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy and had already experienced a retinal detachment in the center of one eye. She noticed “floaters,” blobs of blood from the blood vessels in her eyes. Blood vessels continued to grow, blood flow worsened to her optic nerve, and she developed a severe case of band keratopathy.

“If this all sounds like a foreign language to you, it did to me, too. The details went in one ear and out the other,” Megan admits.

Initially, she felt hopeful. With various medical recommendations presented, the outcome seemed optimistic. But the following year, the retina in her “good” eye also detached. Her doctor scheduled surgery to attempt a reattachment, but there was little guidance beyond the medical side of things. No one explained how she would manage her daily life without vision, how to pay bills, access transportation, navigate Social Security and Medicaid, or continue working. In the beginning, Megan had to rely heavily on her family, who were facing the same uncertainties.

After several surgeries, Megan realized her vision had become even more limited than before. The treatments had taken a toll on her eyes, and there wasn’t anything more her doctor could do. The only option left was to manage her blood sugar and blood pressure, her best and only chance at preserving the little sight remaining.

At the time, Megan didn’t know anyone else who was blind, and everyday tasks quickly became overwhelming. She struggled to distinguish one eye drop bottle from another, draw up her insulin injections, and read or pay bills. She was scared to leave the house; the offers of help with transportation had ceased, and the idea of returning to work felt impossible.

“It wasn’t until I discovered the resources available for people with vision loss that I was able to rebuild my life physically, mentally, and financially slowly. At some point, I had to accept my vision loss journey. I realized I would be responsible for taking the necessary steps to move forward. The Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (NCBVI) helped me learn cane travel, introduced me to public transportation, and supported me with job searching. Becoming employed at Outlook was a huge relief. I was able to get off state assistance, and they even had a resource advisor who could answer my Social Security questions with my best interests in mind. Looking back, had I been informed about resources available at the same time as my diagnosis, I could have started the recovery process sooner with more support,” she reflects.

 

Connecting Patients to Vision Loss Resources and Services

For someone who is blind or visually impaired, visiting the eye doctor requires extra planning. Patients must schedule transportation, navigate unfamiliar spaces, and fill out paperwork, all of which can take much longer than for the average patient. Many rely on adaptive technology, such as screen readers, closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs), or smartphone apps, to help complete these basic tasks.

Despite these challenges, the support patients receive often ends at the diagnosis. Patients like Megan are rarely given clear guidance on what comes next, and while that may not fall entirely on the doctor’s shoulders, even a small gesture of direction can make a meaningful difference. That’s where organizations like Outlook Enrichment come in.

Something as simple as a brochure or business card can provide valuable guidance for someone navigating a sudden loss of vision. These resources offer patients a tangible takeaway during a challenging time, serving as a starting point for their journey.

We act as a bridge between diagnosis and the next step of their journey, whether that means discovering adaptive technology, learning new life skills, regaining independence, or finding a community of individuals who truly understand their experiences.

As advocates for individuals with vision loss, we’re also working to educate eye care providers about this often-overlooked aspect of care. By collaborating with optometrists, ophthalmologists, and clinic staff, we aim to build stronger referral pathways and ensure patients are connected to the resources and support they need as early as possible.

Together, we can create a more informed, compassionate, and empowering continuum of care, one that doesn’t stop at diagnosis but supports every step that follows.

 

Two adult men smiling on a tandem bike. "Find Your Community With Outlook - Connect. Belong. Thrive. Get in Touch."

 

Vision loss is life-changing, but it doesn’t have to define your life. As we’ve seen through Megan’s story and Dr. Kyle’s insights, a diagnosis is only one step of the journey. What follows, access to resources, emotional support, and the ability to adapt, makes all the difference.

If you or someone you know is facing vision loss, remember that you’re not alone. Outlook Enrichment is here for you when you need us. Ready to take the next step? Get in touch with our team today.

Honoring Outlook Associates & the Power of Peer Support

In this episode, we sit down with Outlook Nebraska’s 2025 Associate of the Year, Morie Dinovo, First Shift Team Facilitator, and the Outlook Nebraska 2025 Peter J. Salmon Associate of the Year, Mortel Crawford, Second Shift Finisher. They share insights into their roles and time at Outlook, and what this recognition means to them.

We’re also joined by Ross Pollpeter, Program Facilitator at Outlook Enrichment, who offers a behind-the-scenes look at our peer support groups. He’s joined by Tim Green, an Outlook Enrichment client, who opens up about his personal journey with vision loss and how he got connected with Outlook. Together, Ross and Tim discuss the importance of keeping support groups peer-led and how these spaces foster meaningful community and connection.