Below is an article that Bob penned for his community newsletter at Asbury Methodist Village about the experience of losing his sight. As with other challenges in his life, he adjusted to his new situation with courage and grace, making the best of his situation with what he could.

"Blindness..a frightening diagnosis" by Bob Scheno

It is hard to believe that I had reached my 81st year without ever breaking a bone, having a hospital stay or anything else that could challenge my health. I worrled how I was going to be able to cope with losing vision, as the condition progressed and I had trouble seeing people or objects in the shade, not to mention at night time. Giving up my car was not too difficult since I was so afraid of the hazards and injuries for which I might be responsible.

But just living from day to day seemed ever more difficult. I had decided that I needed to live in a senior community like Asbury Methodist Village. I was fortunate to still have some sight when I moved into my new apartment here. I tried to memorize where everything was so taht I would be able to move around more by touching than by seeing.

I'm very fortunate to have all the friends I have had throughout the years. Some helped me to downsize from my condo and move into my new apartment.. not an easy job even when you're sighted.

I also had some friends who had lost their vision earlier than I and learned from their experience. I have learned thow important it is to use your other senses to make up for the loss of sight. And touch could be the most important of them. I'll recognize a voice, and a light touch on my shoulder will reassure me that I'm still part of the group, not just being led around.

I've learned so many things from people who have gone through all of this. I have yet to learn the mysteries of setting my own talking wrist watch and still have to ask someone to do it for me. There are a number of gadgets available for low-vision users. For example, the very simple bump dots are so useful to indicate specific buttons on telephones, microwaves, dishwashers, etc. In addition to the talking book program of the National Library Services For the Blind and Handicapped is my greatest help and pleasure.

Lastly, if you have a caring friend or relative to keep you from stumbling along the way, you're truly blessed.

Asbury is the best place for me.

We plan to add more to Bob's life story here in time but, for now, we will post a summary of his amazing life taken from a welcome letter written about him when he moved into his final residence at Asbury Methodist Village in Gaithersburg, MD:

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Meet Bob Scheno - a man of many interests and a new resident of Mund. Bob was born in Union City, New Jersey and went to school there. His parents both died while he was in high school, so he moved in with his married sister until he graduated. An uncle who lived in Minnesota invited him to come and help on his farm, so he went west, met five cousins for the first time and enjoyed country living. It was his first exposure to animals of any kind and he learned to love gardening there.

While in Minnesota he attended the University of Minnesota for two years. When the Korean conflict boke out he knew he was eligible for the draft, so he got permission from his draft board to leave the country for a time and spent six bicycling around Europe. When he returned he volunteered for the Navy and served four years during the Korean conflict. He served on the USS Kermit Roosevelt in Korea and at the USN hospitals in San Diego, and Saint Albans, NY.

After discharge, he returned to New Jersey to complete his degree at Upsala College and earned a B.A. with a major in Biology. His first job was as a lab tech at NIH and 30 years later he retired as Deputy Director, Office of Compliance for Blood Product Regulation.

Bob has gardened for years, but has been hesitant to do so here for health reasons. He loves to travel and has been all over the world. He has French roots, so has visited Paris at least twenty-four times, but has also been to South America, Egypt, and Scandanavia.

Bob is a Eucharistic Minister in the Roman Catholic Church and has served as a group leader in the RCIA program (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) as well. He never married, but has 14 godchildren with whom he stays in touch.