I'm not visually impaired, but I think in some areas, the inability to drive is the most disabling part of being visually impaired. It's not that big of a deal if you have options for buses, taxis, and can walk places. Some areas, those options are just not available. That being said, if you have 20/60 vision with no other issues, you could qualify for a restricted license in some states. This might mean that you can't drive after 11 or that you can't drive on highways for example, but I know people with 20/60 vision who can drive.

I know how you feel. I'm the same. I've accepted this when I was young (5 or 6) and It just clicked. Sometimes I feel down about it but most of the time it's alright I can do other things. Driving makes people feel mature and more free but after a while it becomes a chore more than a pleasure. Besides in this day and age with uber around you'll be able to get around easy enough. Public transport is great for getting around in an urban area and if you live in the country you can still drive if you don't get caught.

I too know how you feel about this issue. There was a time when all my friends got to start driving, while I had almost nothing to look forward too. My parents also told me to get over it, which I still haven't really done, even if I'm not as sad about it as I was before. My suggestion for you is to find something to do that your friends can't do. The things I do better than most of my friends is playing the piano, and reading braille, which always seem to impress my sighted friends, when I show it to them.
If that doesn't help you can try to find the good things about not being able to drive. You never have to think about all that expensive fuel you'd have to buy for your car. And you never have to be the designated driver when you hit the bar with your friends :)

Get a sick electric bike! All terrain, earth friendly, legal, safe, fast, and fun! Supercycle is very popular right now.

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Hi. Just being told to get over it to me seems kind of harsh. It is important to feel heard and understood. Driving is a sign of independence for many. Watching others partake in this activity may feel frustrating. As a blind person, it does sometimes get frustrating when you want to go somewhere, but can’t just jump in the car like other people. However, there is a certain point in which you need to either find a way to change your circumstances and/or change your attitude. There are options such as public transportation, Uber, Lift, and just carpooling with friends. As time goes on, it will get easier. I hope that this helps.

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I agree with a lot of what has been said already. I think your friend is ignorant. Your feelings are valid. It is completely reasonable for you to be angry and jealous. Talking to people, like the way you reached out here, is a great way to express those feelings. It sucks, not being able to do the things that your peers are doing. It sucks to feel like you can’t be independen. I had to go through that as well. I ended up being an angry shitty teenager, lol. I think it would have helped if I had found support groups earlier. Or, found an outlet for those emotions. Maybe you could try finding an outlet music, art, martial arts, writing. Something that you can throw yourself into to forget your worries. Maybe even participate in something that could benefit others, like volunteering at an animal shelter, a homeless shelter, or classes for kids with disabilities. It feels good to give back. You still have a lot going for you and a lot to offer the world.

Don’t you dare let them tell you it’s impossible!! I have blue cone monocone. I’m 20/70 in my right dominant eye and 20/40 in my left. The color issues mean I cannot see brake lights or red lights but the green is very bright so I go off that. I’ve been driving a decade and have made 15 solo cross country drives. I basically had to teach myself how to drive but now it’s second nature. I don’t get to quite relax while driving as other people do because I need to be extra alert but I love driving and the only argument you need to have is with yourself. Ask yourself if you believe you could operate a vehicle safety. That’s the only question that matters.

Driving is one of those things (though depending on where you live) which you miss if you dont have them, and if you do have them they can get pretty anoying.

Cars are expensive to own, pretty much useless if you live in a bigger city, and honestly after first 2 months of driving, it simply becomes a chore that you have to do.

I think it's normal to feel jealous and angry for a time. It is definitely tough if you live in an area with limited public transportation. I took driver's ed in high school, before I knew I had very limited peripheral vision. I almost got into a few accidents in the driver's ed car. If the teacher hadn't used their brake I would have t-boned a car and hit a small child on two different drives. Just try to remember that you are refraining from driving for the safety of yourself and others. Real friends should understand this and support you.

Got to me at first too, but look at it this way... You don't have to pay for it. Cars are expensive.

With friends (and family) like that, who needs enemies: would a little empathy really hurt them?

Your friend is dumb for saying that, wow! I want to agree with everything said here already, and also point out that in rural areas driving is a huge deal but its absolutely not in urban areas. I have (sighted) friends and family who never learned to drive because they live in big cities that are awful to drive in and have better alternatives. I also want to agree with the people who are saying that driving feels cool when you're 16, but its actually a chore and a huge money suck. You and your family are saving sooo much money by not driving, I think even ubering everywhere for the rest of highschool would be cheaper than paying for driving lessons, insurance, gas, and a used car.

I am legally blind and grew up with blind parents so the license thing wasn't ever gonna be an option. We used the bus or taxis or bummed rides or walked. I was already in college when my brother got his license so that issue didn't hit me, either. I did see it as an 'opening up' of options for my mom who could then MAYBE get a ride to the grocery or whatnot. I wasn't there to know if that happened.

My mentality was shaped around autonomy and use of resources at hand. In brutal reality, I couldn't have afforded a car and insurance but I could walk nearly anywhere I needed to go and knew the skeletal bus system like it was a part of me. (cause it was) Plenty poor folks who CAN drive can't afford it. We aren't so different as we imagine.

Was I jealous when my friends were driving? I saw them drinking and driving, speeding and doing all kinds of illegal stuff. They might've gotten to a party I didn't but a few of them didn't make it home.

You may not have the freedom you attach to that lil piece of plastic, but you definitely can find ways around it. You have or will develop a skillset that those license folks will come to respect you for. I am a walking map of two cities. I used to be expert at the whole nycmta.

If you have to move to gain your autonomy,you won't be the first. Focus on that. Get your feet under you and start building tge skills you need to have the life you want. By graduation, you'll be way more fearless than your license wielding counterparts. I guarantee that.

This whole teenage thing passes. I promise.

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