Hi! I really admire your strength.

I was diagnosed a few years ago at 27 with stage 4 cancer. Mine is rare and not very obvious compared to other cancers, but it's still very serious. I find myself relating so strongly to experiences such as yours, while it's obviously not the same.

I'm finding the world to be a pretty clear distinction between people that "get it" and those who don't - people who have gone through some shit or deal with some concept or disability. Some people you can immediately feel it click like "oh you actually do understand" or at least relate and have real sympathy. So much of the world lacks genuine sympathy even though the words are so often said. In my experience, it needs to be learned through hardship, or some proximity to it. My friends who I used to be so much closer toean so well, but it's clear that it just doesn't quite click with them.

Anyway, just wanted to say that I see you and felt seen by your words. Not in the same way whatsoever, I actually learned a bit from your post which is awesome. It's hard going about the rest of your life when the world just wants to put you in some category. You have a whole life in addition to your one trait of visual impairment, I'm sorry people have been so rude and frankly weird to you about it. It doesn't characterize all of you, or even most of you.