I just asked my (sighted) boyfriend what it’s like to date me, since I’m visually impaired. He says that it’s not much different from dating a sighted person, you just have to remember that their field of vision will be different from yours, and learn to adapt your behaviour to accommodate that. For example, he’ll zoom in on pictures he wants to show me and warn me if there’s an obstacle in my path.

I’m glad to hear that your relationship is going well. Best of luck to both of you. <3

I’m married to legally blind individual. So far we don’t have children, but he does help me take care of my mother who is unable to do a lot of things. He can’t drive, but we live in an area where public transportation and uber allows him to get around pretty well, and he’ll take trips to go take care of my mother and has even gone over to her house to help her get ready and then taken her by taxi to an appointment. He can’t “pick up/drop off” things that are far away at the drop of a dime, but it isn’t much of an obstacle since I drive. I was also raised by a single mother, so anything he “can’t” do doesn’t seem so outlandish for me to figure out, because my mother relied on herself alone throughout my entire upbringing. Children will add an interesting twist, but he has a friend who is completely blind who married a blind woman and they had a child, and while we’re not close enough with them to understand their daily experiences, they are managing with the help of an aide/assistant/nanny.

Otherwise things are normal, we’re each other’s support systems, friends, lovers, all that great stuff. The ups and downs are typical, but sometimes include personal frustrations with the physical limitation. I’m constantly amazed at what he’s able to do and how his thinking and processing reflects the world without the endless visual stimulation/distraction. He’s able to focus well and learns really well aurally. Those kind of things just amaze me because it shows a different angle on experiencing the world.

Anyway, if you have more specific questions, feel free to PM me as well. We’ve been together for 8 years and I remember once when we were at a hospital there was a nurse who took me aside and told me to break it off with him before getting too deep because life would be difficult. I can’t help but think that woman was way out of line. I didn’t have a father growing up so I know having my husband as my support system is helpful. I am not “taking care of him” in lieu of myself. I help him as much as he asks, but assistive technologies are great and help him get around. I’ve always held the philosophy that there are some very difficult arrangements out there (abusive relationships, tragic incidents...) and you never know what can happen so having someone close to you that you can trust and rely on for anything is to me the most important thing in a relationship.

Honestly, it depends on visual accuity. Other than him not being able to drive, and possibly needing more questions answered about things, there's not a whole lot that's true for every blind person.

There's not a whole lot you need to know really. People that live with visual impairments are just as normal and capable as any other type of person. The only thing would be that the way he does things might look a little different than you as he needs to accomodate his eyesight in certain situations. For example, listening to audiobooks instead of reading, using described video on Netflix, using tactile dots on home appliances, using a cane, etc. The good thing is that as technology continues to advance, his world will slowly look closer to yours. Things like Google Home, self-driving cars, online shopping, and braille readers will also make him more capable of leading a full and independent life. This is more if you guys really become a long-term thing though.

It's just like a regular relationship. The only time it sucks if you need a ride somewhere or an extra vehicle. They're not driving. You have to go on most of the errands since you have to drive. That's the only big difference I've noticed. Oh yeah,no more sub titled movies unless you feel like reading out loud.

This is honeatly a difficult question to answer because at the end of the day we are all unique and we are all just people striving to reach goals and maintain as much independence as possible. Have you talked to him about how he thinks his blindness will affect your relationship and future? If not definitely have that conversation. Since it's something you've been thinking about it's probably a necessary conversation to have and it will help you get more comfortable with his blindness

Can I ask how you think it might affect your relationship/future?

I'm legally blind and have been with my bf for 9 years. I was the first person with a disability that he'd ever really gotten to know but he's told me that my sight is a non factor in our relationship . For him, it just means being a little more considerate (taking my hand to guide me when we're out at night or in a crowded space like a concert or night club, cleaning things that I wouldn't see like the oven, and reading subtitles to me when we go to the movies.)
I've always been an independent person so besides these little things it doesn't really affect our relationship it's just forced us to learn how to communicate and I really appreciate how normal my blindness is to him. I think the most important thing is really getting to know the person and being honest about your needs and expectations just like any other relationship.

Legally blind here. I understand your worries and so does your partner. Everything you fear about him being blind. He's probably already thought of it and worried himself.

Im not as well adapted to my condition as a lot of others here are. Thanks in part to my unsteady upbringing. So I worry about things other blind people might have only worried about in the early days. Taking the bus or a cab alone are some things I haven't learned to do. If I ever even find someone who wants my child. Going to crowded or loud places such as a club is pretty uncomfortable. But not impossible if your companion is understanding and trustworthy.


Most blind people won't be like me I think.

I would say the main thing is considering whether you are OK driving him places. Also, if he’s anything like me he will misplace things a lot. LOL. Be honest with yourself in this process and make sure any choices you make are out of love and true compatibility. Best wishes!