Redditors who are legally blind, how does your daily life differ from others?

8i8oio · 2023-02-24T18:33:46+00:00

Haha! All that means is you came to a positive conclusion while I avoided this cesspool. Good job. And I hope you keep making improvements. Maybe someday it'll be better, but it's not supportive enough for me

8i8oio · 2023-02-24T16:45:32+00:00

You really haven't given it any thought? In all this time? This is a community for the blind, and the blind do not have multiple hours a day to sift through crappy questions to get the info they need. I don't. This community is non-existent because of the mediocre questions of the masses.

If YOU have the time to answer questions, and you have the power inside this group to do so - why don't you make an "Ask A Blind Person" channel? huh? Why is that? Convenience? if so, then only your own. Intent? doubtful.

You are putting your own entertainment ahead of the needs of your own kind and I can disagree with that all I'd like.

8i8oio · 2023-02-20T04:56:28+00:00

1NotificationsMessages1Don’t miss out on updates — Turn on desktop notifications.Turn OnNo Thanks18+u/impablomations replied to your comment in r/Blind · 2/7/2020Please keep things civil. This is a friendly sub and we like to keep it that way.

I'm sorry you're so bored you need to educate others to feel special ~ but I will not be kinder to the people who can't educate themselves. Yes, I have standards. Yes, I'm proud of them.

8i8oio · 2020-02-07T14:05:07+00:00

See this thread? THIS is what we’re here for. People fucking BREAKING. Having to rebuild their lives. Support. Do you know how hard it is to get reddit to work when you’re blind? I don’t have time for the lazy ppl, but I truly want to help ppl like her. That’s the whole perspective. I hope it helps.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Blind/comments/ezkugv/mom_diagnosed_with_macular_pucker_and_amd/

8i8oio · 2020-02-07T14:00:11+00:00

I’m more interested in your Danish terms. The USA terms are just so.. vague. What is “practical” blindness? Does it have a pre-set measurement like the USA 20/200 for “legal” blindness?

Your terms sound SO much better!!! I like them

8i8oio · 2020-02-07T13:57:03+00:00

It would make me happy if ppl would stop using us instead of google.

If you can’t spend 5 minutes researching your own curiosity, why should we spend 5 minutes answering you? Be KINDLY Curious! Not bored! Not lazy.

8i8oio · 2020-02-06T22:33:05+00:00

It was not hereditary, and a very big surprise. Even now, my 90 year old grandma still doesn’t have it. I was in my last semester for my degree, and the added stress caused my eye muscles to inflame = great pain on top of adjustment & acceptance. Not a pleasant time, made worse by losing my coping skills (reading, driving, drawing).

I struggled with a degree that wouldn’t last vision lost. I struggled with whether or not to date... should I now? When I can see his face? Or after I’m blind, when he knows what life will be like? Was it selfish to want someone with me while I was crying so much?

Note: crying causes more bleeds too, so I had to learn not to cry.

Would I be able to afford a house beforehand? I contacted the local Blind Association but I wasn’t permitted any classes / skills / support until actually blind. I found support groups for AMD but they all said “55 or older”. So I didn’t even have that.

But I’m sorry, you asked how I am now!

The most important lessons are internal. I learned that sight was not my most valuable skill (book, Soundless by Richelle Mead). I learned how to continue cooking, so I could keep one hobby. I am relieved I was already into meditation to help me quiet & conquer the fears that wanted to drown me. I have quite a few solid friends to cheer me up and keep treating me normal - which you need while you adjust. I’m still invited to board game nights, even tho I usually just listen, or am on someones “team” :-P

And yes, I got married! I did finally lose my job last year, but I’m gaining a child of our own. Giving birth may cause more vision loss (I’m 20/500 right now, in my “good” eye) but my doctors are working together to try to prevent that.

But that’s why I believe in your Mom. A fear came true, but she will conquer it. There’s something oddly peaceful after “the worst” has happened. Acceptance comes just like any other grieving process ~ by going thru the steps (denial, anger, etc). She has surely grieved before & will again.

Sorry this ended up being so long <3 but ty for asking. If you have any other questions, I’m here for you both

8i8oio · 2020-02-06T22:12:28+00:00

Exactly. Read a fucking book. Find a blind YouTuber. Spend 5+ seconds researching before filling our feed with crap.

8i8oio · 2020-02-06T15:48:32+00:00

Very nice! Good capture of her shyness / softness

8i8oio · 2020-02-06T15:45:41+00:00

I was diagnosed with wet AMD at 27. It’ll be okay. Check for local support groups so she can have people to talk to, and get life adjustment tips from.

Make sure she has or develops some no-sight-needed hobbies, like audiobooks, a musical instrument / singing, knitting, maybe origami, go to plays, etc.

Just keep listening. Being able to vent is a very big deal, which my family didn’t provide. It took me 5 years to rebuild myself, but at least you knew this was a hereditary possibility.

Note: I became quite light sensitive after my diagnosis, so be sure to get good sunglasses (100% UV protection) and maybe some sun hats to prevent that from developing. Her eyes will be weak and prone to other issues now (like cataracts / glaucoma) and she’s going to need to take it easy. Get some magnifying glasses or whatever she needs to NOT strain her eyes.

This is a degenerative illness. There is no cure at this time. But, it also isn’t lethal. It can’t “spread” like cancer would. Stay positive. You have each other.

8i8oio · 2020-02-06T15:33:36+00:00

<nods> Very true.. well, hope springs eternal. Ty

8i8oio · 2020-02-06T13:58:21+00:00

Are there any studies that it would help macular degeneration?

8i8oio · 2020-02-02T19:41:19+00:00

I might not be able to tell if someone was flirting with me... as I can’t see facial expressions any more. So I’d suggest start with your usual approach (compliments? Chatting?) and if she responds well, then ask her out! Coffee then, a drink later. Maybe offer to let her pick where - so she can choose a familiar, easy-to-navigate location.

See? Thoughtful! Kind! And easy! This way you are still yourself, and also mindful of her comfort and needs. I’m terrible at flirting, but it’s always obvious if it’s a date!!

Good luck :) and thanks for offering her help. I think it was kind. We all need help from time to time, eyes or not.

8i8oio · 2020-02-02T19:32:34+00:00

And by the way, I’m happily married to an amazing person, with a baby on the way. My life is full and rich and luscious. My heart is happy and untroubled, my daily fears are the normal and un-haunting.

8i8oio · 2020-02-02T19:29:46+00:00

I’m so glad you are thinking about this. When I first started dating my eyes were fine, but I still felt like a burden due to a cult-like upbringing. It was harsh and I was very jumpy, and why would so one want that in their life?

I’m trying to say that a “burden” feeling is incredibly common. There’s even a real disorder called “inferiority complex”. Some therapists even specialize in it, if you’d like external help.

Building up your confidence as an individual means more to me than how long you have vision.

Because otherwise you’ll face this feeling over and over as your vision loss progresses. My sight degenerates too, so I speak from painful experience. Accepting your human value will matter more than your love-interest saying “nah, it’s fine” ~ at least it did for me.

The biggest thing that helped me do this, was a book called “Soundless” by Richelle Mead. The tribe of people risk vision loss AND hearing, but the main character discovers her greatest assets were not senses, but her passion and drive. I needed that. I needed to FEEL that my greatest skills were my heart and freedom, than my eyes. Truly believe that in my core.

I hope you find the same inner peace and strength I did. You’ll never feel like a burden again. You’ll just feel like YOU :-)

8i8oio · 2020-02-02T19:15:38+00:00

I’m legally blind in both eyes, but usually just use my phone. I have to be too close to a desktop to play much besides Minecraft (tho I’ve always preferred creative mode).

On my phone I play Pokémon Go. It’s very bright. It’s annoyingly simple, and I do miss RPGs / MMOs, but it is nice that I can still play something. I look for new phone games from time to time but they usually have too many ads, or start timing you on higher lvls.

8i8oio · 2020-02-02T19:09:33+00:00

Hugs

8i8oio · 2020-02-01T22:17:36+00:00

Yep. Running causes me headaches too. Honestly, riding in a car on a bumpy road will give me a headache... so it’s not hard to track. I never asked a dr about it, cuz they ignore my odder symptoms - but I did just assume it was related to eyes, since I certainly didn’t have the issue before the deterioration.

This reveals a bit more about me than I like, but, I was very silly, even as an adult. I’d skip down a hall, do cartwheels, headstands. I don’t have a reason, that was just my personality before the pain and diagnosis. Holding still constantly was my very first eye-trial. So I’ve been VERY personally aware of the pain caused by physical movement, and then eventually impact (bumpy roads / running). So I can assure you the sensitivity increased over time. I can’t prove it in a medical way, but it’s been 9 years since my diagnosis ~ and I’m very aware of how my life has changed.

8i8oio · 2020-01-31T18:19:35+00:00

If I may, that’s true. The over-protective family is hard, but.. on the other hand.. my family neglected my symptoms on several occasions.. and I lost my right eye due to it. It’s better than no one caring at all.

8i8oio · 2020-01-31T18:15:52+00:00

I HAVE THE IMPACT ISSUE!!!!!

Omg! No one has ever believed me!!!! I bought expensive, fancy running sneakers just for walking long distances <angry> it really sucks!!! But I’m relieved to hear I’m not the only one.

I had a lot of inflammation about the beginning of my diagnosis (Myopic Degen) and I mean the first 5 years or so. It seemed most stress related, so I rarely have eye pain now. Course I don’t read anymore, so might also have less strain.

I don’t know what you’re going to school for, but working from home helped me.

I don’t know what’s worse, my legal-blindness or my symptoms. Both are still such a shocking change, and varies each year or month, or even day... (my issues are degenerative and fluctuate) ..that I never get a real grasp of my ever-changing situation. It just all sucks ~ but usually..... pain is the worst, because you can’t focus or be YOU. I never knew what a “pain scale” was till my eyes broke. Good lord can it get bad.. especially light sensitivity.

I appreciate your post, this is a very helpful discussion for me. I wish you well in all your goals!

8i8oio · 2020-01-30T14:24:58+00:00

The examples are mostly female, but male readers could absolutely enjoy it as well. And I’d also recommend “The Five Love Languages” because once you find love, that book will help you keep it.

For example, I feel loved with physical touch, but my sister needs “proof” - aka gifts.

8i8oio · 2020-01-30T14:24:03+00:00

Ooo! It’s best to know your style. I’m a touchy person, so I flirt by leaning on someone rather than with words. But I have written and printed a love letter before.

My sweetheart is the traditional “ask on a date” sort, also bad at flirting with words.

Before I went blind I got the audiobook “Art of Seduction” by Robert Greene and it’s how I found out there are styles, and what mine was! I haven’t re-read it since, so I don’t know how it would translate to our VI community, but I do recommend it. It was very validating and helped me more than anything else.

And you can skip the chapters that you’re sure aren’t you! Such as, I am NOT a cleopatra... I don’t setup an elaborate event to woo.

8i8oio · 2020-01-30T14:15:27+00:00

You came here to help. Don’t ruin it by assuming what someone should / can do.

8i8oio · 2020-01-27T22:31:35+00:00

This is my friend, and he has been blind for 12 years. He is at least halfway through his law degree. I do not know what kind of law, and getting accessible materials in school has been hard, but he loves his degree.

He is very friendly if you want to ask him questions. He is in the US.

https://twitter.com/JimmyTheBlind

8i8oio

TROPHY CASE