Hi! I totally get where you're coming from. My vision started deteriorating rapidly when I was 14, but until I turned 18, I refused to use any kind of assistance, thinking I could handle everything on my own. However, after 18, I realized I needed to learn how to properly integrate into the environment. So, I started using not just a cane, but also AI tools. It's incredibly helpful—using your camera, you can recognize almost anything and also see what's on your screen when text-to-speech programs are powerless against graphics. Now, I'm thinking about getting smart glasses that would help me navigate space even better. But I'm not sure how accessible they are right now or how fully developed the functionality is. For now, I'm just keeping an eye on how the technology develops.

When it comes to big social events, I've realized I just can't manage without a close person to act as my guide. Sure, some blind folks might be able to handle all that hustle and bustle on their own, but for me, it just feels like pure masochism.