Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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In need of advice (self.Blind)
submitted by trippyellipses
I have posted this story about a year ago. To read my story, click the following link: https://www.reddit.com/r/scientists/comments/5cjyjq/a_future_blind_scientist_in_need_of_advice/?utm_source=reddit-android
As of recently, I've learned I'm coming closer to graduating college. It's exciting to know next year will most likely be my last and more importantly, I'll be on to greater things. Yet, I feel a bit insecure due to the my vision declining. I have Usher's Type 2A and as a result, have Retinitis Pigmentosa. I have come to terms with the knowledge that my choice of careers may be out of reach for now, but need to pursue one that requires accommodations for visual disabilities or ones that doesn't require eyesight at all. When I first entered college without a single idea of what I had only ever knowing I had hearing loss, I wanted to be a pediatric neurologist. Then, wanted to be an epidemiologist. Now, possibly a professor, geneticist or even a biopsychologist.
I have been torn for the last few years on why I stayed around as a biological sciences major. Psychology was more my thing, but I chose to challenge myself rather than settling for what was easiest. Then, February of 2016, I had genetic testing done that confirmed I had Usher's. The last three career options such that being a professor, geneticist and biopsychologist, were desired out of what is feasible for myself. I love psychology. I also love psychology. Then, I found biopsychology today. Would this be feasible for myself? Or, what about the field of epidemiology? I'm open to other careers related to biological sciences. Thank you all for your time.
As of recently, I've learned I'm coming closer to graduating college. It's exciting to know next year will most likely be my last and more importantly, I'll be on to greater things. Yet, I feel a bit insecure due to the my vision declining. I have Usher's Type 2A and as a result, have Retinitis Pigmentosa. I have come to terms with the knowledge that my choice of careers may be out of reach for now, but need to pursue one that requires accommodations for visual disabilities or ones that doesn't require eyesight at all. When I first entered college without a single idea of what I had only ever knowing I had hearing loss, I wanted to be a pediatric neurologist. Then, wanted to be an epidemiologist. Now, possibly a professor, geneticist or even a biopsychologist.
I have been torn for the last few years on why I stayed around as a biological sciences major. Psychology was more my thing, but I chose to challenge myself rather than settling for what was easiest. Then, February of 2016, I had genetic testing done that confirmed I had Usher's. The last three career options such that being a professor, geneticist and biopsychologist, were desired out of what is feasible for myself. I love psychology. I also love psychology. Then, I found biopsychology today. Would this be feasible for myself? Or, what about the field of epidemiology? I'm open to other careers related to biological sciences. Thank you all for your time.
estj136 4 points 5y ago
Why give up on those careeerss? There are blind professors out there.
Blind people can do anything they set their mind on. I am a totally blind student journalist. MOst blind people probably don’t think they can do what I do. I am very mobile, for many of the harder jobs your mobility has to be good, and you can learn to do it well. I travel around campus, ask and talk to everyone. I’ve also have been wondering around the campus everywhere, cafeteria all around the inside. I worked the student lounge. I’ve done many many things in my life. In high school, traveled around the entire school quad cornering people for interviews. I’ve been capturing random events on campus, going to the booths taking down information and pictures. Impossible, no. Do you sometimes more time, yes. But it’s doable. I’ve been from everything to leading groups to going to many events and because I was so out there I became the rep on flyers for this blind organization. I would take stabbs which most there, probably not believing in themselves so much, and more sheltered shied away from. I was the ASB president in elementary school. I’ve traveled around three counties, traveled internationally and mastered a random city in another country quite well. I know my county and the county next to me better than some sighted people. I’ve been everywhere, ate at a lot of the restaurants. ETC....
There is even a blind doctor out there.
Blind people can do anything they set their mind on. I am a totally blind student journalist. MOst blind people probably don’t think they can do what I do. I am very mobile, for many of the harder jobs your mobility has to be good, and you can learn to do it well. I travel around campus, ask and talk to everyone. I’ve also have been wondering around the campus everywhere, cafeteria all around the inside. I worked the student lounge. I’ve done many many things in my life. In high school, traveled around the entire school quad cornering people for interviews. I’ve been capturing random events on campus, going to the booths taking down information and pictures. Impossible, no. Do you sometimes more time, yes. But it’s doable. I’ve been from everything to leading groups to going to many events and because I was so out there I became the rep on flyers for this blind organization. I would take stabbs which most there, probably not believing in themselves so much, and more sheltered shied away from. I was the ASB president in elementary school. I’ve traveled around three counties, traveled internationally and mastered a random city in another country quite well. I know my county and the county next to me better than some sighted people. I’ve been everywhere, ate at a lot of the restaurants. ETC....
There is even a blind doctor out there.
Amonwilde 3 points 5y ago
I think you should choose what you want to do given your current capabilities. It's difficult to estimate what abilities you'll have in the future and you may be significantly better or worse than you think. Choose something you're passionate about and trust that you'll find ways to adapt when the time comes. With that said, careers working with abstractions that can be represented in text or, if your hearing holds up, that involve talking with people in person tend to be easier for the blind, assuming you work on your skills. To me, the careers you mentioned, including professor and psychologist, seem quite doable. I'm a college English teacher and programmer and I know practicing clinical psychologists who are blind.
tacos4thesoul 1 points 5y ago
I agree with everyone that you shouldn't give up on your dreams and that you should definitely continue to pursue a career that your passionate about. That being said, I think it's really smart that you're planning ahead for a career that could provide you with longevity and adapt to you as much as you will have to adapt to it given the eventual loss of both senses.
The careers that you mentioned seem like great options because they'd allow you the flexibility to work with clients/ students and/ or focus on research while still getting to learn about things you're interested in!
As you're starting to choose your career one thing that might be helpful is to do some job shadowing for each of the feild you're interested in. That way you can experience what it would be like to have that job. and really see if its something you're interested in and and get a feel for which areas of the career you might need accommodations in and start to plan for that. Another thing that might be helpful is reaching out to professors whose careers are similar to the ones you want, to talk about their experience in the field. You could also do some research on graduate programs as that can provide you withsome insight on what to expect from a career. Also consider talking to your campus disability centre and career center they might be good resources for talking about how you can make these careers work for you.
It won't always be easy and sometimes you'll have to get creative but keep pursuing what you're passionate about! Good luck!
The careers that you mentioned seem like great options because they'd allow you the flexibility to work with clients/ students and/ or focus on research while still getting to learn about things you're interested in!
As you're starting to choose your career one thing that might be helpful is to do some job shadowing for each of the feild you're interested in. That way you can experience what it would be like to have that job. and really see if its something you're interested in and and get a feel for which areas of the career you might need accommodations in and start to plan for that. Another thing that might be helpful is reaching out to professors whose careers are similar to the ones you want, to talk about their experience in the field. You could also do some research on graduate programs as that can provide you withsome insight on what to expect from a career. Also consider talking to your campus disability centre and career center they might be good resources for talking about how you can make these careers work for you.
It won't always be easy and sometimes you'll have to get creative but keep pursuing what you're passionate about! Good luck!
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