Fearing Struggles: Reflections from a Vision Therapist

As I sat down last night to put the finishing touches on the two presentations I’ll be offering in Fort Worth as part of the OVDRA Annual Meeting next week, a very difficult thought crossed my mind:

This cannot suck.

I know myself pretty well, and as I’ve grown more as a person and a Vision Therapist, I have come to recognize that fear of failure is just a part of who I am. And to be fair, the fear of failure is natural, and in many ways, universal – two thoughts which have helped me exactly none in preparation for these courses. I am hard on myself, and will accept nothing less than my best when I am on stage, and so the motivation to continue improving will remain.

All this, though, has me thinking about our Vision Therapy patients and the struggles they face on a daily basis. My presentations next week are being offered by choice, and I know, whether successful or not, my life, my job, and my future will all be just fine. Our patients though, have no such guarantee. They may not pass their current academic challenge, they may be able to meet the skill level needed for their chosen sport, and for some, they may not be able to meet the demands of their job due to their visual deficits.

Knowing this is why I work hard to share my experiences with others who have a love of Vision Therapy. It’s why I am motivated to continue to improve and evolve as a Vision Therapist. And it continues to be the driving force behind my excitement for Emergent’s Mastering VT program.

For those who have not heard, the Mastering VT program is a monthly educational offering where a Vision Therapist will present on a given topic, and then a conversation is had surrounding the attendees’ experiences. The latter portion is my favorite part. Understanding the experiences of each other is how we all improve. I want you to learn from my triumphs almost as much as I hope you learn from my failures.

For those who will be in Fort Worth next week attending OVDRA’s Annual Meeting, my hope is that if you attend one of my courses, you will walk away feeling a bit more enlightened about the wonders of Vision Therapy than when you walked in. And if you are not part of the Mastering VT community, I invite you to join us.

If you are interested in learning more about the Mastering VT program, or checking out Emergent’s really cool products, please stop in the Exhibit Hall next week for talk and a tour.

And if you see me crying in the corner, please know I will be just fine. The talk, the trials, and the tribulations are all a part of the learning experience. I hope to see you there!

Keep learning, friends.

Cheers!