Less than a year before her 33rd birthday, Ivey Vandermissen suffered a migraine so fierce it landed her in the emergency room.

After the incident, the former analyst for a check processing center discovered she couldn't see the end of her nose. It's likely she will be completely blind by her next birthday.

Vandermissen, of Great Falls, has the rare eye condition bullous keratopathy/retinoschisis. Born with one lazy eye, it was Vandermissen's other, stronger eye that developed the problem she describes as the retina splitting and filling with fluid, causing a bubble effect and pulling the retina away from the back of the eye.

Besides enduring pain and an unsuccessful surgery in a desperate attempt to prevent further sight loss, Vandermissen said the whole ordeal was very emotional.

"When you go through something like this, there is a significant change," she said. "I can't even cross the street without someone."

By the end of the week, that will change.

Vandermissen and 22 other blind or partially sighted men and women are spending a month at the Montana Association for the Blind's summer orientation program at Carroll College -- the first time it's been held in Helena during its 60-year history.

Assisted by an orientation and mobility instructor, Vandermissen has learned how to navigate using a cane (while blind-folded to create how she will soon live).

She learned the swing of the cane should land just outside of the user's hips moving from side to side at a smooth, even tempo.

She learned also to stay near the grass line along sidewalks, avoiding the unpredictable nonconcrete ground. She now knows to listen to cues from her ears and trust her other senses to recognize close and potentially dangerous objects.

Founded by visually impaired persons, the Montana Association for the Blind is a nonprofit organization that works for the social and economic improvement of blind people in the state.

Since 1945 the summer program helps those with visual problems acquire the skills and attitudes that will enable them to remain independent, and gives them the confidence to be self-reliant. The month-long program costs about $3,000 per person, although there is no charge to its participants.

Those who attend the program spend their days honing such basic skills such as cooking, handwriting and sewing, as well as gaining a better sense of mobility and learning to read Braille.

Participants work one-on-one with instructors because, just as their degree of vision loss varies, so too does each person's ability to adapt.

"It's real interesting to see them (the participants) come in," said Kay Stevens, director of the summer program. "Sometimes they cry or are dragging their feet."

But, she added, by the month's end confidence radiates from them.

Jenet Melton, of Quality Vision Care in Helena, is one of the few optometrists who provide services to those with low vision, which she describes as impaired vision that cannot be fully restored by conventional glasses, contact lenses, medical treatment or surgery.

Melton said there are more than 4 million people in American with low vision and 68 percent are over 65.

She said it takes self-acceptance, determination, support of family and friends and learning new techniques to fully utilize any remaining vision.

Vandermissen said over the course of the program she has gained the confidence to face a new world.

"I feel there is nothing I can't do if I really want to," she said.

She and husband Ben are looking to have two, maybe three, children sometime soon, Vandermissen said.

Ron Crowe, 62, began losing his eyesight about 10 years ago. Back then, doctors told him he'd be blind within three years.

Today he is completely bind in his left eye and said he's having a "hell of a time with the other."

Crowe, a father and grandfather, sank into a deep depression for many years trying to deal with his vision loss. He said his grandchildren are what kept him going.

For years, the only way he got around town was by the assistance of his grandchildren, who helped him navigate the public transportation system.

And although his grandchildren may still tag along to the post office or the grocery store when he returns home in a week, it won't be a necessity.

Crowe said the summer program is marvelous and has helped him accept the fact that he is blind, taught him how to use a cane, and increased his confidence.

"The greatest thing has been finding out there are people worse off than me," he said. "There is always a sunset and a sunrise -- we can't see it -- but we know it will always be there."

The summer program was held in Bozeman on the Montana State University campus since its inception in 1948, but increasing costs led to the search for a new location.

Besides the cost, Sevens said, the accommodations at Carroll College are better suited for those with vision impairments -- fewer people to share a bathroom, air conditioned rooms, free parking and less expensive food.

"We just got better treatment here (Carroll College)," Stevens said. "They wanted us here and made us feel welcome."

Tom McCarvel, Carroll College's vice president for community relations, said couldn't be happier about the program being in Helena and on the Carroll campus this year.

"You lose your eyesight and your entire world changes," McCarvel said. "This group is there to help these folks learn how to live again."

Impressed with the entire concept, McCarvel said he hopes the Montana Association for the Blind again looks to Carroll College to host the summer program in years to come.

Vandermissen is learning to accept that she soon will be blind, but it hasn't come without a struggle.

"I'm coming to grips with the fact that I'm 33 and this isn't supposed to happen," she said, adding that she isn't as angry was she once was.

"You can't sit and be angry about it or let if define you as a person because you have a life to live," Vandermissen said.

Reporter Alana Listoe can be reached at 447-4081 or at alana.listoe@helenair.com.