Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Chronic Boredom (self.Blind)
submitted by k00l_m00se
I'm so bored, it's driving me crazy. I've been legally blind for over a year and a half now, and I still haven't found anything that helps. Physically, I'm quite sickly and frail, so I can't go to the gym anymore or go for walks, my little remaining vision is fading. This extends to school too. I'm stuck in low level classes because I'm terrible at reading braille, and the boredom from that is killing me. I ended up missing 3 days of school this week, but I didn't miss any work. That may sound great to some people, but not when it's 24/7. I used to enjoy playing my bassoon, but I've just gotten so burnt out on it, because I can't read music anymore. There's summer plans for me to learn it, but that's still a long way off. What do I do? I could go up a dose on my antidepressant, but it won't change the fact that I have nothing to do but stare at walls anymore.
KillerLag 6 points 6y ago
What sort of hobbies did you have before? I don't know if this is something that would help, but I've taught people (low vision and total) how to knit before.
You mentioned can't go to the gym due to health issues... do you have access to a treadmill for walking? Light exercise is better than none at all. You can also do some light calesthenics, if you are capable.
You mentioned can't go to the gym due to health issues... do you have access to a treadmill for walking? Light exercise is better than none at all. You can also do some light calesthenics, if you are capable.
k00l_m00se [OP] 6 points 6y ago
I played a lot of games like Civilization 5, and other slower paced games. I also loved to read. Nothing like sitting in a quiet area and reading. I was on track to be an all state musician, and a music major, but that's done now. I'll be picking up music braille this summer, but my dream of going pro is dead. I love running and weightlifting, but my health really prevents me from doing very much physical activity anymore. Along with being quite weak and frail, I've got really, really bad shakes. I was also quite fond of disc golf and bowling
KillerLag 1 points 6y ago
I don't know what it takes to be a pro musician, but isn't there some sort of adapatations that can be done? I guess it would depend on what sort of musician as well. I know there are a few totally blind musicians, but that may not be what you do.
Sorry to hear about your health issues preventing the physical activity. I've recently started doing a lot more physical activity lately myself..... Is there an Achille's club nearby you?
https://www.achillesinternational.org/
They do guilded walks and runs, and I've guided for their 5Ks before. Can you go for walks with a guide? I don't know if that would help with the shakes.
Don't know too much about disc golf.... but I took a few clients to bowling before. The lanes we used had a special device to help people bowl with vision loss (and strength limitations, I would guess). It basically is metal ramp. You put the bowl on top, aim (or have someone assist), then push the ball forward.
Sorry to hear about your health issues preventing the physical activity. I've recently started doing a lot more physical activity lately myself..... Is there an Achille's club nearby you?
https://www.achillesinternational.org/
They do guilded walks and runs, and I've guided for their 5Ks before. Can you go for walks with a guide? I don't know if that would help with the shakes.
Don't know too much about disc golf.... but I took a few clients to bowling before. The lanes we used had a special device to help people bowl with vision loss (and strength limitations, I would guess). It basically is metal ramp. You put the bowl on top, aim (or have someone assist), then push the ball forward.
k00l_m00se [OP] 3 points 6y ago
Being a symphony musician is quite difficult, even with sight. Very dense music, which wouldn't be an issue with my musical ability, but more on the reading side. Someone a few comments down mentioned swimming, which I'll give a go this week. I never get homework, so if it works well for me, I'll get a lot of chances to do it
KillerLag 2 points 6y ago
Yeah, that was what I was thinking... memorizing every single note is out of the question, I assume?
snow671 5 points 6y ago
What about learning another language? I've had a lot of fun with $1 The site has its own audio and NVDA works well with most of it.
There are audio games available and you can still play some fighting games.
Audio books, writing... those don't require braille. I don't know, just throwing out ideas. I really feel ya on the boredom. It's raining today and I've done absolutely nothing but listen to music in bed.
There are audio games available and you can still play some fighting games.
Audio books, writing... those don't require braille. I don't know, just throwing out ideas. I really feel ya on the boredom. It's raining today and I've done absolutely nothing but listen to music in bed.
k00l_m00se [OP] 3 points 6y ago
I speak English, French, and some gutter Spanish. As far audio books and games go, they're alright, but they don't really satisfy me very much. This probably sounds weird, but I miss the silence I enjoyed being sighted
snow671 5 points 6y ago
It doesn't sound weird at all! What about sculpting? Polymer clay is fun to work with and not too messy as far as I know.
needvitD 4 points 6y ago
Why give up music? If it's because reading music is impossible, have you considered taking up improvising? Jazz improv could be worth a shot. Learn the jazz scales and away you go, just don't judge yourself while you're getting better.
I love listening to podcasts, audiobooks, and ted talks, and you could take Coursera college classes for free.
I love listening to podcasts, audiobooks, and ted talks, and you could take Coursera college classes for free.
k00l_m00se [OP] 3 points 6y ago
I do play a lot of jazz now. Improv is quite creatively satisfying, but I don't get to do it often. There's a plan for me to learn to read chord tabs in braille over the summer so I can do jazz band. A music major just wouldn't be practical for me anymore
aleeque 3 points 6y ago
I just remembered there's a blind guy who plays Mortal Kombat X because it has an elaborate sound system that allows you to play with eyes closed (and therefore, blind). I think his name was Ross Minor. You probably know about this but just in case
-shacklebolt- 3 points 6y ago
Do you have a braille display? To me the difference between a braille display and paper braille books in terms of usefulness and motivation to practice is night and day. Electronic is so nice. If you don't have one, get your school to spring for it.
For ebooks with TTS, using the "right" voice makes a huge difference in comfort for me. If you haven't tried a lot of the engines yet, that's something to consider.
If you like computer games, I know it's totally not the same, but have you looked into some of the more accessible things out there like MUDs and audio games?
Dealing with energy limitations can be very emotionally taxing, and it's absolutely okay to decide you need to talk to your doctor about upping your meds or getting more therapy.
Since summer is coming up, have you considered a shorter program like the [NFB youth slam]
(http://blindscience.org/nfb-youth-slam) or even a summer residential college prep blindness skills program like [the CCB offers?]
(http://cocenter.org/summer-youth-2017/)
Sorry you're dealing with all these things. Do you have any other hobbies or interests we might be able to help you come up with ideas for?
For ebooks with TTS, using the "right" voice makes a huge difference in comfort for me. If you haven't tried a lot of the engines yet, that's something to consider.
If you like computer games, I know it's totally not the same, but have you looked into some of the more accessible things out there like MUDs and audio games?
Dealing with energy limitations can be very emotionally taxing, and it's absolutely okay to decide you need to talk to your doctor about upping your meds or getting more therapy.
Since summer is coming up, have you considered a shorter program like the [NFB youth slam]
(http://blindscience.org/nfb-youth-slam) or even a summer residential college prep blindness skills program like [the CCB offers?]
(http://cocenter.org/summer-youth-2017/)
Sorry you're dealing with all these things. Do you have any other hobbies or interests we might be able to help you come up with ideas for?
k00l_m00se [OP] 5 points 6y ago
I actually just got a braille display the other day! My school's version of JAWS started being screwy, and started not liking HumanWare 32 cell displays. I'll have to give reading a book with it a go. iOS Alex works pretty well for me for books. It sounds relatively natural. Literacy is an issue for me right now, so I'm hoping the display helps.
I'm gonna give the swimming thing a shot on Tuesday this week. I'm a fitness nut, so getting some physical activity again will do some good. I've got a swimmer's build anyways.
As soon as I'm not stuck sitting around all day nothing, I'll be better. Medical marijuana is probably in my future for helping with the shaking and migraines, which are really holding me back right now.
I'm going to be attending a camp for blind and visually impaired musicians in the Bay Area in August, but I missed the boat for most programs in Texas. The Texas Work Force Agency is coming out to evaluate and interview me on Wednesday, and they may have a few extra summer programs available for me. I just signed up for the NFB's free slate and stylus program, which I'm hoping is going to improve my literacy some.
There's potentially a job lined up for me at my favorite cafe this summer. They said they'll hire me as soon as they have an opening, which is nice. I'm also planting a garden in my backyard soon, which ought to keep me occupied. I'm also playing a lot of jazz and blues when I feel like picking up my instrument. I'd like to play Dungeons and Dragons, but I haven't been able to get enough of my friends interested to form a group.
Little philosophy rant here; Life sucker punches you sometimes, but you've got to just keep on going with the flow. Sometimes it hits some of us especially hard, and it's unpleasant. It's okay to cry, as long as you keep breathing and going. As you can probably tell from this comment and my other posts, I like having productive things to do. I'm no type A, but I really value creating and learning things
I'm gonna give the swimming thing a shot on Tuesday this week. I'm a fitness nut, so getting some physical activity again will do some good. I've got a swimmer's build anyways.
As soon as I'm not stuck sitting around all day nothing, I'll be better. Medical marijuana is probably in my future for helping with the shaking and migraines, which are really holding me back right now.
I'm going to be attending a camp for blind and visually impaired musicians in the Bay Area in August, but I missed the boat for most programs in Texas. The Texas Work Force Agency is coming out to evaluate and interview me on Wednesday, and they may have a few extra summer programs available for me. I just signed up for the NFB's free slate and stylus program, which I'm hoping is going to improve my literacy some.
There's potentially a job lined up for me at my favorite cafe this summer. They said they'll hire me as soon as they have an opening, which is nice. I'm also planting a garden in my backyard soon, which ought to keep me occupied. I'm also playing a lot of jazz and blues when I feel like picking up my instrument. I'd like to play Dungeons and Dragons, but I haven't been able to get enough of my friends interested to form a group.
Little philosophy rant here; Life sucker punches you sometimes, but you've got to just keep on going with the flow. Sometimes it hits some of us especially hard, and it's unpleasant. It's okay to cry, as long as you keep breathing and going. As you can probably tell from this comment and my other posts, I like having productive things to do. I'm no type A, but I really value creating and learning things
-shacklebolt- 2 points 6y ago
> I actually just got a braille display the other day!
Congrats! You can connect your iphone to it for reading purposes too, which is nice for portable use.
I have definitely found that a braille display is an absolute game-changer for literacy skills, because you can read anything that's accessible with a screen reader quickly and easily, and the braille itself is physically easier to read.
> but I missed the boat for most programs in Texas.
The programs I linked both take out-of-state students.
> I'm also planting a garden in my backyard soon, which ought to keep me occupied.
That's fun. Got any specific plans for what you're going to plant?
> I'd like to play Dungeons and Dragons, but I haven't been able to get enough of my friends interested to form a group.
Is playing with an online group an option, or using facebook or meetup to find other interested locals?
And yeah, having things to do is pretty big for your mental health. Overall it does sound like you have a really good attitude about all this shit most of the time!
Congrats! You can connect your iphone to it for reading purposes too, which is nice for portable use.
I have definitely found that a braille display is an absolute game-changer for literacy skills, because you can read anything that's accessible with a screen reader quickly and easily, and the braille itself is physically easier to read.
> but I missed the boat for most programs in Texas.
The programs I linked both take out-of-state students.
> I'm also planting a garden in my backyard soon, which ought to keep me occupied.
That's fun. Got any specific plans for what you're going to plant?
> I'd like to play Dungeons and Dragons, but I haven't been able to get enough of my friends interested to form a group.
Is playing with an online group an option, or using facebook or meetup to find other interested locals?
And yeah, having things to do is pretty big for your mental health. Overall it does sound like you have a really good attitude about all this shit most of the time!
tymme 2 points 6y ago
I hit this wall a few times, am nearing it now and have only been off work since December. I listen to a lot of podcasts on various topics and am currently taking a free online course for Android app development. Still play games, just not much interest in many of them.
You can also find your local Dept. of Vocational Rehabilitation, they work with you to help find some employment given limited conditions. Our office is in a complex with a factory that employs several people with various handicaps. It's not a dream job but it's at least getting out of the house and socializing with others.
You can also find your local Dept. of Vocational Rehabilitation, they work with you to help find some employment given limited conditions. Our office is in a complex with a factory that employs several people with various handicaps. It's not a dream job but it's at least getting out of the house and socializing with others.
PinkMistress 1 points 6y ago
You enjoy reading. Do you listen to books through the Library for the Blind?
awesomesaucesaywhat 1 points 6y ago
Depending on your health, is the pool an option? I go to my local YMCA and swim or use the water aerobics belt to exercise. It's nice to get out of the house and it's a low-impact workout.
k00l_m00se [OP] 2 points 6y ago
I think I'm going to try to start doing that. I do have a gym membership still
-shacklebolt- 1 points 6y ago
Seconding the pool! Swimming is such a great exercise for a lot of people with health issues due to how gentle and fun it can be.
awesomesaucesaywhat 1 points 6y ago
Sometimes just floating in the water lifts my spirits for a bit. Plus it gets me out of the house
Vaelian 1 points 6y ago
What about coding? If you still have some sight you should be able to do it without much trouble. I don't do it anymore because I can't get used to coding with a voice synthesizer and am very slow at reading Braille, but if I had at least 20/800 vision I'd still be doing it even if it required high contrast and a lot of magnification.
aleeque 2 points 6y ago
yeah, nothing like spending a week working on a program and then having it actually compile and run. That feeling of victory and having created something of value. Too bad I'm not really a programmer and all I've done is writing some simple mods for games, but still, it's tons of fun.
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