I was 14 when my vision suddenly started to deteriorate. I was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa shortly afterwards. I am now 17, almost 18 and in a few weeks it’ll be 3 years since I became visually impaired. I’m legally blind, and really don’t have much sight left. Unless something miraculous happens I’ll be blind within a year, maybe two.
My life is very different from how I planned. A month ago I moved out. I now live on my own in an independent living facility, so I’m not totally left to my own devices. It has been really rough but also super rewarding! I’m still learning but nothing has gone horribly wrong so far. I have a boyfriend, who is also blind. He has been my best friend for over a year and I love him so so very much. He has been the light in my dark days with his combination of empathy and willingness to tell me to shut up and keep going. I play Goalball competitively, which has helped so much with my orientation skills. I’ll be starting the process of getting a guidedog the end of this summer, and hope to get my dog before the end of the school year, so I’ll have them by my side in college. I have lost quite a lot of people the last few years due to my visual impairment, but have also met a lot of great people who are more than willing to help me out when needed, which kind of restored my hope in humanity.
Life is weird. Losing sight is hard. Some moments the world can feel like it’s on fire but I do feel like life can and will get better. The idea of not seeing anything is scary but I’ve come to the point where the idea of blindness is kind of calming. At least then I can’t lose anymore of my sight. Which sounds a little dark, but it’s true.

Anyway, I’ll be okay. We’ll all be okay.