Catherine is Turning Challenges into Culinary Dreams Through NewView’s MOVE Program
Catherine Bagarella’s journey with vision loss has been one of perseverance, transformation, and a rekindled passion for her dreams. Diagnosed with glaucoma in 2001, Catherine lost vision in her left eye while raising a newborn and expecting her second child. Though she managed life with the vision in her right eye for many years, her eyesight began to deteriorate in 2018, introducing new challenges.
By 2019, Catherine realized her vision loss was impacting her ability to perform everyday tasks at work, such as identifying currency, which once took moments but now required significant effort. Reluctantly, she left her job as a liquor store manager and faced the uncertainty of living without clear guidance or resources.
Her vision continued to decline, and by 2020, she had lost her sight entirely. Despite the challenges, Catherine remained deeply involved in her children’s lives and community. Cooking has always been Catherine’s passion, and she found joy in preparing meals and feeding others, even serving as the booster club president for her son’s high school football team and cooking meals for dozens of hungry young men. Still, she longed for a path forward that would allow her to reclaim her independence and reignite her aspirations.
In 2022, Catherine moved to Oklahoma City and heard a commercial for NewView Oklahoma. With the help of her best friend, she connected with the organization and met Dr. Horner, who introduced her to resources like orientation and mobility (O&M) training and occupational therapy. He encouraged Catherine to consider NewView’s MOVE program. She immediately signed up, beginning her journey in January 2024.
Through the MOVE program, Catherine gained essential skills for navigating life with vision loss. She mastered computer tools like Microsoft Excel and Teams and embraced mobility training, overcoming her initial fear of navigating unfamiliar spaces. These accomplishments restored her confidence and reignited her drive to achieve her dreams, including her culinary dreams.
With her newfound confidence, Catherine is determined to turn that passion into a career. Her goal is to return to school for culinary arts, hone her skills, and one day launch her own catering business. “MOVE gave me the confidence to tackle school and life,” she shares.
For Catherine, the program was about more than just learning skills—it was about rediscovering herself and her potential. “Absolutely do it!” She encourages others, “it’s a 90-day investment in yourself that’s absolutely worth it.”
Catherine’s story is a powerful reminder that vision loss doesn’t mean the loss of purpose or ambition. Through determination and the support of NewView, she is transforming her challenges into opportunities and working toward a future that aligns with her dreams of feeding and nurturing others through her love of cooking.
Give the Gift of Services
Our services are made possible by a generous community of donors. If you feel compelled to give to help more people like Catherine, we would be so grateful.
are you in need of services?
If you, or someone you love, is in need of low vision services – NewView Oklahoma is here to help. Please complete the self-referral form below and our team will reach out.