Sometime during her 20 years at the School of Optometry and Vision Science, Linda Jackson earned the nickname “Low Vision Linda,” a playful nod to the service to which she dedicated most of her career.
Jackson spent the first three years of her time at the School as a cashier before transitioning to the patient care coordinator for the Low Vision Service. It was here that she discovered one of her favourite parts of the job: getting to know the patients. In the last six months of her time at the School, she switched to the Primary Care service, but her most cherished memories will always be from her time in Low Vision.
Once a supervisor at the Shoppers Drug Mart in Elmira, it was a friend who told Jackson about a job opening at the School – to which she applied. Over the years since then, she’s made wonderful friendships and witnessed the evolution and growth of the School.
As a person who enjoys her routine, “I’m glad to be missing a lot of the big changes coming up,” she says with a sheepish smile, referring to the impending construction of the Waterloo Eye Institute.
Among the things she will miss are the connections she built with colleagues, whom she now considers friends. With them, Jackson fondly recalls potlucks, dressing up for Halloween, and her favourite activity, going for lunch with coworkers. Although sad about leaving them, she finds comfort in knowing she can keep in touch, even after she leaves the School.
This summer is slated to be a busy one for Jackson as she commences her retirement. First, she looks forward to her daughter’s wedding in July.
“I just love the person that she’s marrying,” Jackson says. She’s preparing a special surprise mother-of-the-bride speech, which she’s very excited about. In August, she’ll welcome her second grandbaby - an event that will be especially delighting for Jackson, since she’s no longer working full time.
With her newly available schedule, Jackson is eager to spend more of her days with family and friends. She looks forward to scheduling appointments at any time she wants and going grocery shopping whenever she feels like it. She doesn’t want her days to be too quiet, though. She also wants to find a part-time job to fill up some of her time.
Moving on from the School is bittersweet for Jackson, but she feels ready to transition into a new phase of life and explore new avenues.
“Thank you to everyone who knew me,” says Jackson. “I’m so appreciative of them. For the friendships. And for the patients that I built rapport with in Low Vision”.