Finding Strength and Community Through Art

When vision loss began to change Linda Terrell’s life, she feared she was losing more than sight. A longtime nurse, she had built a career caring for others, but worsening glaucoma and Fuchs dystrophy pushed her out of work and into a season of uncertainty. “I lost the will to do a lot of things,” Linda said. “Reading was frustrating, numbers were difficult, and I went through some dark periods.” 

The low vision evaluation was kind and thorough. The idea of cane training felt intimidating at first, but the explanation helped. Preparing early would mean the skills were there if she needed them. In those conversations she also learned about Envision Arts. “It took me three or four months before I showed up,” she said. “The first time I walked into the art class, I felt at home. I didn’t feel alone because everybody had their own situation with their eyes going on. It made me realize I was blessed. I looked at these ladies creating such wonderful art and I thought, wow, they’re so happy.” 

Linda had never called herself an artist. In school she avoided art classes and chose other subjects. Envision Arts gave her a way to try without judgment. “You come in and nobody judges you,” she said. “You just be yourself, and you are amazed at what you can do. For me, my work is not perfect, but in my eyes, I am so proud of it.” 

What she found went beyond creativity. It was community. “Half of the ladies cannot even see me, but they recognize my voice,” Linda said. “I come in and embrace them, and they accept me. It becomes a family, and I look forward to coming back.” The group’s encouragement helped her rebuild confidence in public settings and quiet the worry about how others might see her. Art became a steady anchor. “Without the art class, I would be in dark places,” she said. “Now, it makes me happy. It is therapeutic.” 

Today Linda manages regular appointments, uses strategies that help her eyes rest, and keeps making art. She texts photos of new pieces to her husband, her best friend and steady supporter. The routine is ordinary in the best way. It is a life rebuilt with new tools, new skills, and a circle that feels like family. 

This year Linda is channeling that momentum into a new project as the featured artist for the Annual Envision Gala, A Night for Vision. She is creating a body of work that reflects her journey and the themes she explores in class, with a focus on contrast, texture, and pieces that invite people to experience art through more than sight. The showcase is both a celebration of her progress and a tribute to the community that helped her get here. 

Linda’s journey shows how rehabilitation through creativity can restore more than skills. It can restore confidence, community, and hope.