Accepting a Geographic Atrophy Diagnosis

You can still live a full life with geographic atrophy (GA).
Even though your vision may be different, GA doesn’t lead to total blindness. You can use your remaining vision and make certain adjustments to stay active and independent.  How You May Feel at First
If you’ve been diagnosed with GA, it’s normal to struggle with feelings of sadness or worry.
“My initial feelings were that of complete devastation,” says Jill Adelman, who lives in Turnersville, NJ, has GA, and advocates for people with vision loss through the BrightFocus Foundation. 
For Adelman, learning to accept a GA diagnosis took time. “Fortunately, the changes I’ve experienced have been slow. The biggest struggles were the acceptance of vision loss and the changes it forced me to accept,” she says.
Matt Starr, MD, an ophthalmologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, says it’s common for people with GA to remember a loved one who struggled with vision loss. “I remind them that GA will never lead to complete vision loss and many people are still able to lead fulfilling lives. They just need a little bit more help,” he says. The Facts About GA
If you have GA, you are considered legally blind, but people often misinterpret what legal blindness actually means. “GA does not turn out the lights, but rather reduces central fine detail vision,” says Sam Dahr, MD, director of the Retina Division with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. In addition to blind spots in your central vision, you may notice a loss of sharpness or a lack of vibrancy in colors. It may be hard to see in low light. It may be challenging to recognize faces. You might find it hard to do daily activities like driving, reading, crafts, and hobbies.
Although the vision loss is permanent, GA doesn’t affect your peripheral vision, and you can still use it to see. “Driving or reading may be compromised, but you can typically maneuver around your house, go to the mall or restaurants, exercise in the health club, and stay physically and socially active,” Dahr says. Adaptations to Improve Your Life
There are tools and technology to help you stay active and independent with GA. Magnifiers and high-quality lighting help you see better. Computers, tablets, and smartphones can help you navigate your home and surroundings, identify objects, and perform everyday tasks using voice commands.
“I’ve made a lot of changes in my home and daily life to help me,” Adelman says. “I have special lighting. I always carry devices like magnifying glasses and flashlights. My electronic devices are kept on large font with high contrast.”
If you love to read, try an electronic magnifier, large-print books, or audiobooks. If you love to cook, small changes like using light- or dark-colored cutting boards for better contrast and applying bright tape to measuring cups can keep you safe and independent in the kitchen. Reasons to Be Optimistic
There are many devices to choose from when you live with GA. And experts say more advancements are likely coming soon.
Since GA affects millions of people, many organizations are looking for GA solutions. “Government research agencies and private corporations are pouring resources into research toward pharmaceutical therapies,” Dahr says. Medical device companies are coming up with new innovations and technologies to help with magnification. “This is one of the most intense areas of medical research,” Starr says, adding that he’s optimistic about the future. Resources to Help You Live a Full Life
In the meantime, try these resources to help you manage GA. Retina and low-vision specialists. “Your retina specialist is a key partner,” Dahr says. Schedule an appointment with your specialist at least once or twice a year. They check to see how you’re doing and tell you if new treatments are available. Working with a low-vision specialist can help you make the most out of the vision you still have. Low vision or visual rehabilitation agencies. Check with your local nonprofit group or state government agency. They may offer low-vision evaluations, occupational therapy programs, and support groups. You may also qualify for aids that help with low vision, such as electronic devices, lamps, and reading aids. Support groups. Joining a support group for GA can connect you with people who understand what it’s like to live with GA and offer support and suggestions for managing the changes in your life. Your social network. Connecting with family and friends may help you feel less alone. Your support network can also help with practical things like getting around, cooking and cleaning, and streamlining your daily activities so you can live more travel independently. Exercise. Staying active may help you manage symptoms of depression and anxiety. Ask your doctor to recommend a fitness routine that makes sense for you.

Elks, Stampeders look to build momentum in Labour Day Battle of Alberta

The Edmonton Elks have a little confidence. The Calgary Stampeders need some. The CFL’s annual Battle of Alberta on Labour Day in Calgary features a pair of West Division clubs with gaps between themselves and a playoff spot.
Calgary (3-8) has lost three straight in August, all to the top three teams in the CFL. Edmonton (2-9) has won two games in a row after a miserable start to the season.
Canadian quarterback Tre Ford, a University of Waterloo alum, marshalled Edmonton to those two victories, including last week’s home win over Ottawa to end an awful 22-game losing streak at Commonwealth Stadium.
Both clubs have time to salvage their 2023 campaigns with seven games remaining in their regular seasons, but the salvaging needs to start immediately.
“We’re right together at the bottom,” Stampeders head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson said. “One of us has to come out of the bottom and we’re hoping that’s us.”
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So Monday’s clash at McMahon Stadium combined with Saturday’s rematch at Commonwealth is a make-or-break scenario this season for Alberta’s CFL teams.
“This is kind of a defining moment for both squads,” said Elks coach and GM Chris Jones.
What’s grated on the Stampeders is losing in the last three minutes of the game six times this season. They’ve lost four games by three points or less. Overall, there’s been an assortment of ill-timed gaffes, such as Javon Leake’s punt return touchdown for Toronto in the fourth quarter last week to break a 31-31 tie and propel the Argonauts to 39-31 victory.
“Mistakes are going to happen. We don’t want to play scared,” Dickenson said.
“When the games are going your way, you think you’re going to win them all. When they’re not going your way sometimes doubt can creep in. The only way I know how to get rid of that doubt is to start winning.”
Calgary’s quarterback Jake Maier leads the league in passing yards (2,785), but the Stampeders have produced a middling 12 touchdown catches in 11 games.
The Stampeders haven’t lit it up on the ground either with their 88.9 average rushing yards per game ranking sixth in the CFL, although running backs Ka’Deem Carey and Dedrick Mills will play in the same game Monday for just the third time this season.
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Dickenson labelled Maier’s 387 passing yards and four touchdown throws in the loss to Toronto his quarterback’s best game of the year.
“I know things haven’t been overly exciting for this group this year, but there’s no quit in us right now,” Maier said.
“We feel like we’ve been very close to winning some games against good teams. Now we get an opportunity to do it on Labour Day, in a home game.”
Edmonton’s 0-9 start this season included a pair of games in which the Elks scored zero points. Trending Now But Jarious Jackson’s promotion to offensive coordinator at the end of July, and Ford’s ascension to starter in three subsequent games, has revived the Elks offence.
Ford started one game against Calgary in 2022, but sustained a season-ending collarbone injury during the first quarter. The 25-year-old from Niagara Falls, Ont., has been given another chance to prove he can be a CFL starter.
“It’s exciting, a lot for my family too. My dad calls me every single day,” Ford said. “It’s just nice that all the hard work that I put in the off-season this year, and just the work throughout training camp, and all the work I’ve put in my whole my entire life, to finally get the opportunity to go out there and play.
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“I know there was a lot of people questioning if I could do it or not. That fuels the fire a little bit too. It’s just super exciting to finally chase your dream and get the opportunity to go out there and prove everybody wrong and prove some people right too.”
He threw for 317 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions, while also rushing for 74 yards and a TD in the 30-20 home win over the Redblacks last week.
“You have to defend Tre every single play because he can turn just a random play into an explosio,” Jones said.
The CFL regular season is two-thirds over by Labour Day weekend, but games that fall on that holiday weekend traditionally feel weighty to a team’s fortunes and particularly because of the festival atmosphere around them.
“I think when you win this type of game, I think it jump-starts teams because it’s such a cool experience that you go through together,” Maier explained. “Your camaraderie naturally will grow.”
Stampeders defensive linemen Mike (Moore) and T.J. Rayam (knee) fashion are scratches for Monday’s game. Elks defensive linemen Elliott Brown (knee) and J-Min Pelley (calf), offensive lineman David Foucault (back) and defensive back Louchiez Purifoy (calf) are also out.

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Adele Vegas Fan, Sorry Not Sorry For Standing, You Could Have Too

The guy who got chastised (and then defended) at Adele ‘s concert is sorry the people behind him were bothered — but says they have legs … and should use them next time. TMZ.com We talked to Juan Pablo — who went viral after Adele stood up for him Saturday night in Vegas, this after security and other guests were trying to muzzle him — and he tells TMZ he doesn’t really have any regrets about how he handled things that night. TikTok / @juanp_lastra JP says he does feel bad for those who might’ve been blocked by him standing up in front of them — but in the same breath, tells us they could’ve stood up too … solving the problem. The video he took of himself — on a selfie stick, which some found obnoxious — is one he hopes to hold on to forever … that’s what he’s telling us, anyway. While critics have accused him of clout-chasing, Juan says he was just trying to preserve a memory in real-time. Listen to what he wants Adele to know in the wake of all this … he’s clearly very grateful — and can’t thank her enough for making him feel included and not like a troublemaker. BTW, it sounds like all’s well that ends well — ’cause after the whole incident, he actually made peace with the security guard who was talking to him … posing news for a selfie with the guy. Juan tells us the dude wasn’t even all that confrontational — and was just trying to get him to settle down a bit. Adele stops performing at her Vegas residency to defend fan from a security guard. pic.twitter.com/LfRlVEUAfk — Pop Base (@PopBase) August 27, 2023 @PopBase Adele was obviously fine with his level of enthusiasm, so his advice to the seat-fillers might be the best thing they can to enjoy themselves … stand up and sing, it’s Adele!