My Mom Went Blind and My Life Began To Unwind | Molly Johnson
Being 14 years old already sucks enough or at least I thought it did. Then throw in your mom going blind within a matter of 8 months…it was more than this young teenager wanted to deal with. Adding that into my melting pot of teenage problems, I felt like my life was beginning to unwind. I say problems in a loose fashion because in all reality there weren’t big problems, but to a fourteen year old girl they were. It was the end of the world if I didn’t get to see my crush in the hallway and in my mind that was equivalent to my mom going blind. Probably the worst part was trying to explain this to my friends, who were all also freshman in high school, you can imagine how that went. No one understood what was going on and the most hurtful thing was that some people didn’t believe me.
Rewind to 4 months before my mom was diagnosed, we went on this week long Disney trip with our entire family, it was and still is my fondest childhood memory. It’s kinda crazy to think about how it all landed perfectly for us to have one last trip before, in my perspective, life. hit. the. fan! As my freshman year flew by, I almost felt numb with everything that had happened, it was like I wasn’t even in my own body, I didn’t recognize my own life. This feeling went on for a while, then there was one specific night that I remember just completely losing my sh*t, I was in full hysterics and layed in my moms arms as I cried out to her “ I’m so sorry this is happening to you”. This was the first time within the first year of this happening that I cried about this.
Wowza! This blog seems depressing but I promise you it’s about to get better. Fast forward to sophomore year , things are still tough but I’ve TOTALLY accepted it by now (well I thought I did) but but really I’ve just now fully accepted it recently. Honestly this whole situation has made my mom and I pretty much best friends, we now have too many inside jokes to count. There is this one where we have this special laugh for each other, if you’ve seen The Grinch, think of his “laugh” and that’s pretty much it. Even though she can’t see me she knows my mood at all times, she can tell the type of day I had at school by the way I simply walk into the house. Recently I got my permit and I FINALLY drove my mom to the local grocery store which is less than two miles away and boy that was an experience. But honestly it was a huge step in her having trust in me and I felt it was a big milestone in my life and hopefully in hers as well.
Long story short, my mom’s blindness kinda sucked in the beginning but now it’s just my life. It could be so much worse, so I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way. Dealing with this has made me into the person I am today and I like this person. This person is feisty, strong, courageous, caring, brave, fearless and loving. This person is me. I’m Molly… the daughter of GGB.
GGB note: I was thrilled when my daughter wanted to write a blog post for Girl Gone Blind! Molly is now 17 years old and a senior in high school. I am incredibly proud of her and the strong, empathetic, and independent woman she is becoming. Love you bunches Molly! xo
14 Comments on “My Mom Went Blind and My Life Began To Unwind | Molly Johnson”
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Hello! Here is a little about me. I am a mom of two fantastic kids, group fitness instructor, transformational speaker, blogger, podcaster, and advocate in beautiful San Diego, CA. Oh, and as my website name would suggest, I am also legally blind. Yes, I’m a Girl Gone Blind — and I’m here to tell you all about it!
Girl Gone Blind 
WOW! Just WOW! You did good with that one Maria!
Molly, bitch – you made me cry…
XOXO
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wow………………………… this is wonderful and dear Molly you are an amazing young lady… So proud of you and glad I finally had the opportunity to meet you… Great job Maria/GGB
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well….girl of girl gone blind….you have inherited the same skills and humor that ggb does……it was lovely molly and cannot deny there were a few tears
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Go, johnson girls, go! So proud of both of you!
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Yup I cried too because it is hard seeing a mother go through a rough time, on a good note enjoy your mother, at the age of 14 I did not have a mom. She died when I was 11. SO imagine that pain. This does make children stronger and caring. Most people will ever understand the what someone is going through unless they lived ir or they are going through it. I love the support you have for your mother and this blog. Take care guys!!!!!
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Wow…great job Molly. I’ve known this feisty, spirited Chickie since kindergarten & to see her grow into this beautiful young woman…takes my breath away.
Looking forward to seeing how your future reveals itself.
Love you both!!
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You drew us in, like all great writers do. You two are spectacular! Thank you!
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Love you and your momma Molly. You two are so blessed to have each other.
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With my heart tugging and with tears in my eyes, I am a Proud Band mom of Molly to share her words. Thank you Maria for raising such great children. Maria, you are a wonderful inspiration to SO many lives – Love the Johnson family!
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What a wonderful young lady you are. You have one very lucky Momma.
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Maria and Chris,
You have raised a beautiful, articulate, empathetic daughter!
Thanks Molly for sharing what has been a
Very challenging time In your life. Your mom and dad must be so proud!
I’m so proud of you too! I love you, Mimi
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Wonderful, Molly. You put yourself out there, showing such growth from the 14-year-old girl you once were. Keep up that charming smile and feisty nature. But . . . I am sad that you have taken away my special joy of driving your mom to the store. How could you?!
Love you both!
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reading this again just now and I am so moved by your personality….and your mamas…still get weepy but you are both so very special…love to you girlies
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Maria, you have raised such an amazing young woman. The fact that she can speak about her feelings surrounding your loss of vision at her age is fantastic.
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