From Military to Motherhood: Thomasa Bradley’s Journey with Ocutech Bioptics

In 2009, while serving as Hospital Corpsman Third Class in the United States Navy, Thomasa Bradley encountered a challenge she never expected. Tasks that once came naturally to her, like administering medication, performing physical exams, and providing medical care, began to slip from her grasp. Precision was no longer her ally. With many lives depending on her accuracy, this was more than just a minor inconvenience. It was a call to action.

“When you have someone else’s life in your hands, it’s critically important to have the best vision, especially when it comes to measuring medicine and dosage,” Thomasa stated.

Determined to uncover the root cause of her struggles, Thomasa sought answers. Her quest led to a life-changing diagnosis: Stargardt’s disease, a rare genetic eye disorder that primarily affects the central vision. Diagnosed often in childhood or adolescence, this condition is caused by a mutation in the ABCA4 gene, resulting in the degeneration of the macula—the part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision. Individuals with Stargardt’s disease experience blurry or distorted vision, often having difficulty distinguishing colors, and trouble recognizing faces and reading. Although peripheral vision typically remains intact, the progressive nature of the disease can profoundly impact daily life.

Despite the absence of a cure, assistive technologies and low vision aids, like the Ocutech Bioptics, offer hope for a higher quality of life.

With the guidance of her low vision specialist, Thomasa was introduced to the VES Sport II Ocutech Bioptic—a marvel of technology designed with advanced optic telescopes. These devices, offering the widest fields of view and focus as close as 9 inches, were a game-changer for Thomasa.

Although the diagnosis was daunting, Thomasa refused to let it define her. With her husband, a long-haul trucker driver, frequently on the road, Thomasa had to be incredibly independent despite her vision disorder. Through the Department of Veterans Affairs in Fayetteville, NC, she received training on how to use her bioptic and eventually obtained her bioptic driver’s license.

“I’m able to drive now! I love the freedom,” she shared with a newfound sense of pride.

In 2022, Thomasa joyfully welcomed her son into the world. His early days were spent in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, but Thomasa’s determination to be with him at the hospital never wavered. The ability to drive to the hospital to visit him and eventually drive her son home was nothing short of miraculous.

“When I was finally able to drive my son home by myself, I felt an incredible sense of freedom, pride, and independence,” she said, her voice filled with emotion. Now, Thomasa cherishes every moment of motherhood, taking her son to daycare, doctor appointments, parks, and savoring her independence after years of feeling confined.
Reflecting on her journey, Thomasa shared, “I spent so much money on Ubers and Lyft just to buy groceries and essential goods. Those days are over, thankfully.”

Her story is a testament to resilience and the transformative power of technology.
Thomasa’s journey with her Stargardt’s diagnosis and then being prescribed bioptics is nothing short of inspiring. “The impact my Ocutech bioptic has had on my life has been pivotal for me,” she says, eager to share her enthusiasm with others facing visual impairments.

“You can follow your passions and achieve your dreams,” she encourages people with visual impairments to not give up, and to seek resources, experts, professionals and assisted technology like she did.