Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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27 year old with retinoschisis looking for work. (self.Blind)
submitted by Kollinphoto
I’m 27 years old. I was diagnosed with retinoschisis at 6, my eyesight is poor but useable. Aprox 20/60 in my left eye and 20/120 in my right.
Here is where is gets interesting. My poor eyesight was overlooked in school leading to poor grades but I somehow managed to make it out of high school and into a digital media arts program doing video production and then photography.
But over the years it’s been wearing on me, I have to work twice as hard as other people in the same job and not being able to drive doesn’t help. I’m wondering what kind of work is out there for someone like me. I like to work with my hands and I’m a fast learner so I’m just wondering what else I can do.
I can’t sustain this career and need a better option. Any help is much appreciated.
Here is where is gets interesting. My poor eyesight was overlooked in school leading to poor grades but I somehow managed to make it out of high school and into a digital media arts program doing video production and then photography.
But over the years it’s been wearing on me, I have to work twice as hard as other people in the same job and not being able to drive doesn’t help. I’m wondering what kind of work is out there for someone like me. I like to work with my hands and I’m a fast learner so I’m just wondering what else I can do.
I can’t sustain this career and need a better option. Any help is much appreciated.
Derpette4220 7 points 4y ago
I didn't find out my acuity until this year, I thought I was fully sighted. 20/200 and 20/400. Even made it through a few semesters of university before I decided I was stupid, or something.
Kollinphoto [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Wow, yeah it’s quite a punch in the face. What are you doing now?
Derpette4220 2 points 4y ago
In February I lost my (normal retail) job, I used a magnifying glass for everything but never thought much of it because lots of older ladies at my job said they sometimes used one too. I wore glasses, but that was all.
I started taking employment insurance cheques, and my fiance and I decided we would try to join the military together.
To eliminate the hassle of my glasses, I decided to get Lasik before being recruited.
At my Lasik consultation I found out my lazy eye was too bad to operate, and that I shouldn't be driving (I never learned).
The next day, in May, I went to a new optometrist and had a full visual exam and found out what was up.
Now I'm just trying to figure out what to do next. I'm legally blind, so I have to disclose that I have a disability when applying for jobs, but I also don't have any of the benefits provided to any other disabled person and their employer (like tax breaks), so I haven't been able to get a job.
Currently trying to get designated as a disabled person so I can collect benefits, but it's incredibly hard to do as an adult with a short work history and no traumatic injury.
I started taking employment insurance cheques, and my fiance and I decided we would try to join the military together.
To eliminate the hassle of my glasses, I decided to get Lasik before being recruited.
At my Lasik consultation I found out my lazy eye was too bad to operate, and that I shouldn't be driving (I never learned).
The next day, in May, I went to a new optometrist and had a full visual exam and found out what was up.
Now I'm just trying to figure out what to do next. I'm legally blind, so I have to disclose that I have a disability when applying for jobs, but I also don't have any of the benefits provided to any other disabled person and their employer (like tax breaks), so I haven't been able to get a job.
Currently trying to get designated as a disabled person so I can collect benefits, but it's incredibly hard to do as an adult with a short work history and no traumatic injury.
Drunken_Idaho 3 points 4y ago
You don't have to disclose anything at least if you live in the U.S.
Derpette4220 2 points 4y ago
Canadian. You don't have to disclose any disability unrelated to your job, but as vision is such an essential part of a lot of tasks (or so the employers think), it's always advisable to disclose.
In my province you can terminate someone's employment within the first 30 days without any real reason, including "not being a good fit" which has happened, once or twice.
In my province you can terminate someone's employment within the first 30 days without any real reason, including "not being a good fit" which has happened, once or twice.
Blind_Not_Stupid 2 points 4y ago
One other thing to consider is find out if your local state agency that handles the visually impaired if they have work trial programs. Here in New York they have something called W.E.T. which stands for Work Experience Trial where the state will pay for what basically amounts to an internship which might motivate an employer to take a chance on you. Just food for thought if it is available.
Derpette4220 1 points 4y ago
No state agency, we have the Canadian National Institute of the Blind and the Canadian Council for the Blind. Neither of which are endorsed by my province, they're strictly charity run. There are education options, but not many local work opportunities, mostly unpaid volunteer positions with the same vision loss agencies.
Kollinphoto [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Wow that’s quite a life turn around. I hope you can get designated so it makes it easier to work.
Derpette4220 1 points 4y ago
It kind of feels like a meme at this point. Thanks for your support! :)
Blind_Not_Stupid 3 points 4y ago
Well based on your current work I would assume you have a good knowledge of computers? If so there are multiple areas where you could explore for possible job opportunities but you would probably need to retool towards that vocational goal. I would contact your local state agency ...they have different names in different statese.g. Commision for the Blind, State Services for the Blind or Department of vocational rehabilitation etc.
AlrightyAphroditey 1 points 4y ago
Have you considered massage therapy?
Kollinphoto [OP] 1 points 4y ago
No I haven’t, that’s a good idea. Thanks!
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