Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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My eyes seem good but on paper but I feel like my sight is getting worse. Should I start looking for help? (self.Blind)
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[deleted]
Amonwilde 5 points 6y ago
I will say one thing...in general, if you're considering an ID cane, you shouldn't be driving, and if you're driving, you shouldn't need an ID cane. If your ability to move on the street as a pedestrian is impaired, then you should not be behind the wheel of a car, where the stakes are much higher. Even if, for some reason, you were to use an ID cane and were to get in a car to drive, you might experience some strong reactions from others who would wonder why you were driving, and those reactions would probably be justified.
If at all possible, I think you should err on the side of not driving. If something does happen, it's possible to experience a great deal of guilt. If you're in the US, however, where public transportation can be patchy or nonexistant, I understand that this can be a difficult decision, however, but try to be as realistic as possible in your evaluation of your own abilities. And good luck!
If at all possible, I think you should err on the side of not driving. If something does happen, it's possible to experience a great deal of guilt. If you're in the US, however, where public transportation can be patchy or nonexistant, I understand that this can be a difficult decision, however, but try to be as realistic as possible in your evaluation of your own abilities. And good luck!
f1ourish 1 points 6y ago
Thanks for the advice. I'm definitely leaning towards not driving. I was used to not driving up til a few years ago. Now it's just hard to figure out transportation since I live in a small town without public transportation. To be honest I'm really hoping VR will have the hook up on some sort of service I can look into other than uber/Lyft.
B-dub31 2 points 6y ago
I am now legally blind due to bilateral optic atrophy and had to give up driving back in March. I live in a rural area with no public transportation, so I feel your pain. Its easier to say than do, but your best bet might be to relocate to an urban area with more public transit options. That is a move I'm considering, but I have a house to sell and a family to uproot. And I definitely agree with Amonwilde about erring on the side of safety about driving. Giving up driving is a life altering decision, but you have your safety and that of other motorists to consider.
f1ourish 1 points 6y ago
Yeah, I'm thinking I'll just move back to the city I used to live in since it at least has buses. The only problem is my job is on a yearly contract and I don't want to leave right before it starts again, so I'm stuck here til next summer.
I hope you're able to figure out your move and family situation too! It's definitely...interesting figuring out these sorts of issues.
I hope you're able to figure out your move and family situation too! It's definitely...interesting figuring out these sorts of issues.
Amonwilde 1 points 6y ago
I know that it's tough. In New York we have Access-A-Ride and also the public transport is pretty usable with low vision or the mobility trained. I know moving many not be in the cards for you but many of these issues go away when you have good access to public transport, which is shamefully absent in most of the US.
acutesine 5 points 6y ago
Hey! I have ROP as well and am legally blind on one eye (with no lenses) and in the other I have somewhat good eyesight, but it is corrected with glasses. I think I might have worse eyesight than you, because I am borderline low-vision/legally blind.
Like you, I also had to get specially tested to drive. I BARLEY passed it. Although I have not started to drive yet (nervous, and I'm <20 years old) I am NOT going to attempt to drive in the dark. Although I passed that part of the test, my doctor told me not to. So I would suggest not driving in the dark, especially when you said you think it's getting harder.
I also have floaters in my eye that has a dragged retina. At one point it got so bad that I went to a doctor to see if my retina had detached, but it did not.
Did you receive O&M in the past? It may be harder to get those services as an adult if you didn't have it when you were younger, partially because of knowing who to contact and all of that.
About the cane, I haven't gotten O&M instruction yet for it. I don't think I'll need the cane during the day, but I am VERY much considering learning how to use one at night.
YES, go get help NOW! If you feel like you need it, you should contact the right people.
Also, another thing to consider is that you are having eye strain. When needed, get large print, and in bold, if that helps you. Also try to do more things (like reading) with audio. Don't be nervous to ask for things like this, it's all about learning how to cope with your disability.
I hope this helps! P.S. Maybe I could use you for a contact? I'm younger than you but this may help us both out in the long run, I've never met anyone else with ROP. (Ironically, I'm also considering teaching as a career!)
Like you, I also had to get specially tested to drive. I BARLEY passed it. Although I have not started to drive yet (nervous, and I'm <20 years old) I am NOT going to attempt to drive in the dark. Although I passed that part of the test, my doctor told me not to. So I would suggest not driving in the dark, especially when you said you think it's getting harder.
I also have floaters in my eye that has a dragged retina. At one point it got so bad that I went to a doctor to see if my retina had detached, but it did not.
Did you receive O&M in the past? It may be harder to get those services as an adult if you didn't have it when you were younger, partially because of knowing who to contact and all of that.
About the cane, I haven't gotten O&M instruction yet for it. I don't think I'll need the cane during the day, but I am VERY much considering learning how to use one at night.
YES, go get help NOW! If you feel like you need it, you should contact the right people.
Also, another thing to consider is that you are having eye strain. When needed, get large print, and in bold, if that helps you. Also try to do more things (like reading) with audio. Don't be nervous to ask for things like this, it's all about learning how to cope with your disability.
I hope this helps! P.S. Maybe I could use you for a contact? I'm younger than you but this may help us both out in the long run, I've never met anyone else with ROP. (Ironically, I'm also considering teaching as a career!)
f1ourish 2 points 6y ago
Thanks for the input! I've never really met anyone with ROP either lol. If you have any questions about teaching or anything else feel free to ask.
f1ourish 3 points 6y ago
Well I officially surrendered my license today. Now it's time to figure out different transportation.
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