About two years ago, I went for my annual eye exam with my Neuro- Ophthalmologist. I see this specialist because I had a serious head injury when I was a young woman, which left me with 4th Nerve Palsy in my right eye.

At this appointment, I was also told that I had developed Macular Degeneration in my left eye. I had wondered why my vision was deteriorating with extreme blurriness and double vision, and now I knew.

About a month later I began to experience terrifying things after going to bed. I was seeing things that were not really there. The only person I told was Tim. I didn’t even tell my doctor at first. I was so afraid that I had dementia!

The very first night that this happened to me, I saw three grotesque monstrous heads floating near the bed. I yelled for Tim and then I began to command these horrid images to leave in the Name of Jesus!  I know this sounds nuts, but feel so strongly that the Lord wants me to tell about these things because it may help others.

Another night I saw a cartoon of Winnie the Pooh (you’ll laugh at this) throwing a football to Tigger! And where did I see this? On the lampshade on the night table!

Some nights I would get up to go to the bathroom and I would see (I thought) our dog, Sadie, laying on the floor at the foot of the bed.  I bent down to touch her and she was not there! She was in her bed in the living room where she always slept.

I also saw a grid-like pattern of green dots all over the bathroom walls. I wondered if I was losing my mind, but then I would pray that the Lord protect me and that He would help me find out why these things were happening.

CHARLES BONNET SYNDROME

In my determination to gather information from the internet which might help me understand what was happening to me, the Lord led me to a website all about hallucinations in people who are gradually losing their eyesight.

The website explained what happens with Charles Bonnet and the words were so reassuring that I did not have dementia.

THE DIAGNOSIS

I made an appointment with my neurologist.  I see her mainly for my seizures which I got after the head injury. As a matter of fact, I am scheduled tomorrow for an EEG which she does on me annually. She diagnosed me with Charles Bonnet. Many doctors do not know about this syndrome. I’m so blessed that she knew all about it.

I will be posting two videos in which people who are very familiar with Charles Bonnet Syndrome explain far better than I ever could about this syndrome – WHY it happens to many who are losing their vision.

The first is Judith Potts whose mother had CBS (Charles Bonnet) and who went on to direct a Foundation to educate the public about CBS. She named it after her mother – Esme’s Umbrella

The second (my favorite) is a ‘Ted Talk’ by Dr. Oliver Sacks. It is only 18 minutes long and packed with great information.

Brethren, the reason I felt compelled to share my story with you is that I wondered (in horror) about just how many elderly people have been placed into nursing homes because their families were convinced that their loved ones were completely crazy!?

I hope that many will share this post!

COME LORD JESUS!