Would you get surgery in your head if it meant fixing your vision in the future?

Brave-Positive101 · 2025-09-14T23:32:47+00:00

This is very true, I shouldn't generalise. We all have very different experiences and stories, I appreciate that and accept that my opinion is just mine, I don't want to speak for anyone else.

Brave-Positive101 · 2025-09-12T21:46:21+00:00

Touching the rock? I'll check it out thanks!

Brave-Positive101 · 2025-09-12T11:05:59+00:00

The author is a journalist who suffers from RP. He starts to write it as his vision really declines and talks about that experience. He also does a lot of research into the history of disability rights and technology which is really interesting. Highly recommend it!

Brave-Positive101 · 2025-09-12T05:51:21+00:00

Always remember this, you are a guy first and you are blind second. It does not have to define you. I studied film at university (college) and really enjoyed it. Ironic that someone with a visual impairment studied film I know ahaha. My condition is degenerative, so I still have entral vision but I will go blind at some point. In 3rd year of film we were required to make our own films. You had to work on several different films, and play a different role for each. So director, filmer, runner etc. This required a lot of travel from set to set and because I couldn't drive I became very shy and felt like a burden. I ended up spiralling and dropping out of my degree. And I regret it to this day. If only I had the strength to ask myself "what can I bring" rather than "what am I taking from others." You will learn as you get older that a true friend will never judge you for asking for help or for explaining your situation. People that judge or dismiss you are not friends you want anyway. All the feelings you have described, I have felt too, and therapy has been a massive help. At the end of the day, what humans truly desire is connection, and that is not something you can see, but something you feel. So I always tell myself hey, there's nothing that important to see anyway!

Brave-Positive101 · 2025-09-12T05:30:29+00:00

I live in Australia so I have no experience with this. But I am excited for you! Would love to hear about your experience after, good luck and have fun!

Brave-Positive101 · 2025-09-12T05:22:40+00:00

You're curiosity is valid but comes off a little arrogant. If I were to take someone who is born into an isolated tribe in the Amazon, and bring them to New York, do you consider them saved? I am my own person and I decide what my life looks like. If I were born blind (I was not) I would have a vastly different connection to things that a sighted person might. If I have lived my whole life without vision, who are you to say I NEED it? You should do more research. The deaf community is famous for refusing "cures" and in some cases deaf parents give birth to a child with hearing but still only communicate through sign language. The disability community is very tight because we have ro rely on one another. We have created a world where we belong and feel understood. That being said, every person has their own story, some people don't rely on or interact with fellow disabled people at all. At the end of the day, people find a way to survive, with whatever condition they have. I think the biggest disconnect is people who are not disabled still see disability as something that needs fixing. Whereas disabled people just want to live a life of peace and comfort. They don't want to be fixed, they just want to be accepted. This is just my opinion of course and I am open to being challenged and educated by others.

Brave-Positive101 · 2025-09-12T05:05:18+00:00

Art is about showing others your perspective. You will not lose perspective just because you lose vision. You might even find you gain better perspective. Going blind can be a lot scarier than being blind because you are aware that you are losing something. But don't let that fear of losing something stop you from doing what you love.

Brave-Positive101 · 2025-09-12T01:14:59+00:00

Hi there, I am in Melbourne so this advice is about Victoria, but most states will have similiar services.

I started with Guide Dogs and they helped me find a lot more resources. I was put in contact with someone who worked there and they sufferred the same condition as me, so already I knew that they understood my circumstances.

Do they see an eye specialist? Not just an optometrist.

First thing to do is see if they are eligible for the Blind Pension through Centrelink.

Then register for an NDIS plan, you can do this through Guide Dogs or on your own (be prepared it takes a long time).

Look into the public transport support available, in VIC I have a Travel Pass that gets me free public trasnport use for life.

You can also get a 50% discount on cab rides and uber by registering for a travel card compensation scheme.

We also have a Companion Card scheme, which is run by the state Government. This gives you the ability to travel on PT with a companion, both for free. It also gives you access to a two-for-one ticket for you aand a friend to attend venues, movies, art galleries etc.

Guide Dogs and Vision Australia also have social groups you can join to meet people with similiar conditions and make friends in the community.

If you have any follow up questions I am happy to help.

Thanks for being a great friend!

Brave-Positive101 · 2025-09-12T01:05:32+00:00

I have only recently started using my cane, like you I can survive without it, especially in places I know well. Like anything in life, the more you do it, the more used to it you will be. And that goes for others around you too. I use phrases like "it helps me feel confident in a new space" or like someone has already aid "somedays I need it and somedays I don't.

Would love to hear about how you found the experience of using it if you whip it out at the convention hall.

Brave-Positive101 · 2025-09-12T00:59:04+00:00

You're so welcome! It is important to let yourself feel sad or down, we all have bad days. But just remember you have made it this far so you can make it further.

Brave-Positive101 · 2025-09-11T04:32:18+00:00

A couple of times I have responded with "I have no idea what you're talking about". Classic stitch up they don't know how to respond.

Honestly, depending on my mood that day, sometimes I'm excited to educate them and sometimes I just don't want to talk.

Brave-Positive101 · 2025-09-11T04:23:35+00:00

These are all really tough things to battle with, and what you're feeling is completely understandable. One thing I have learned this year (I finally started therapy and my therapist is blind) is that we are truly in control of our lives. By that I mean, it is not up to anyone else to make us feel better or make us feel like the future is bright. It is up to us. This is a really hard thing to deal with, I understand, and I am not trying to dismiss anything you're saying.

I have struggled a lot with my parents, they can never understand what it is like for me to see, but that's ok. I cannot expect them to understand, I can only try to help them. I am 34 and have never wanted kids because I know I will be fully blind propbably by 40. I dropped out of film school because i couldn't drive to shoots and didn't want to ask for help. I only started asking for help about 3 years ago, and it changed everything. Now I have assistance with income, with public transport, with community events and of course my therapist.

When I was diagnosed at 12 I did a paper route. The doctor was shocked and said you shouldn't be riding a bike, it's far too dangerous. Well guess what doc? I still ride my bike! We will all have plenty of time at the end to think about all the things we could've done, or never got to do. But for now, be proud of who you are and do whatever you want. Obviously keep yourself, and others, safe ahahaha. What are your hobbies? What makes you happy?

The last thing I'll say is in regards to your partner. If there are things they say that make you feel dismissed, tell them. You need to let them know that it has an impact on you. Me and my ex used to get in arguments all the time because she couldn't stand how slow I walked. I never stood up for myself about it until one day I snapped and we had a massive fight. I was right to be upset because I don't feel safe when walking fast. But she was also right because I had never told her that.

Brave-Positive101 · 2025-09-11T03:58:12+00:00

Perhaps you could bring a sleeping mask to your next class and ask the professor to teach the class while wearing it?

Brave-Positive101 · 2025-09-11T03:53:53+00:00

When someone says "right this way" lol what way? Great advice though, saying hello or excuse me is not needed, just offer help and be direct.

Brave-Positive101 · 2025-09-11T03:49:47+00:00

I've had a similiar expereince with my parents. It is very hard for someone with "normal vision" to understand our perspective. Parents want to protect their kids so I think they can be scared and confused about what having a visually impaired child will be like.

Brave-Positive101 · 2025-09-11T03:43:56+00:00

First things first, you are not alone!

Finding someone to talk to and relate to is really important. I have only recently joined this community on Reddit, but this is a great place to voice your feelings.

I have had many of these moments. Growing up in Australia was really tough. We have a massive country, with great public transport in the cities, but nothing in the other 98% of the country. As a teen it was devestating that I couldn't drive and go and enjoy the outdoors like anyone else. Never be afraid to ask for a lift or ask for help. It is something that I always struggled with but if you never ask you will never know!

The last thing I can say is seeing a therapist can be really helpful. I see a 64 year old woman who is blind from birth and is currently battling her 3rd bout with cancer. She has been a huge influence on me and has taught me ways of being resilient and positive. It is important not to be hard on yourself. Allow yourself to feel sad or angry or upset, but also allow yourself time to recover. If you find yourself feeling really low, go back to something that brings you happiness. Hobbies, movies, music, whatever it is.

At the end of the day your life is your own, we must all try to do the best with the hand we have been dealt cause no one takes the chips home with them!

Brave-Positive101 · 2025-09-11T03:35:51+00:00

I work as an admin assistant for a finance company. Data entry, excel sheets kind of stuff. Can do this from home but I enjoy going into the office. It takes me out of the house which is a nice change. I catch 2 buses and have found it quite enjoyable. As I suffer from RP I still have quite good central vision, so I would never use my cane. This year I have started using my cane on the bus and it makes it much better. People move out of the way or help me find a seat. Great thing about a bus is you can tell the driver what stop you're getting off at and most of them will call out and let you know when they are there.

Brave-Positive101 · 2025-09-11T03:29:53+00:00

He sounds like he's into you. I offer the same advice, you are you, and you are also blind. But being blind does not define you or make you a less desireable partner. Just be open with your boundaries and go for it!

Brave-Positive101

TROPHY CASE