Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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How do you handle losing your license? (self.Blind)
submitted by A_Nerds_Life
Hey all! I'm really struggling with this one. I'm 28 years old and had life by the gonads, doing everything right! When I got diagnosed with a eye disease and started to lose my sight. In 4 short years I've lost so much. I went to college for Welding Engineering and well I can't weld anymore. I had my pilots license and well the FAA doesn't think I should have that any longer so that's gone. Then comes my driver's license... I used to haul horses across the USA, I'd drive everywhere, and now I can't.
Has anyone here been sighted and then lost everything like this??
I'm really struggling with this new life shift. I grieve the loss of all of what I used to be. I don't know how to pick up and move on with this life change. I hate to say it but this has landed me in the psych hospital twice now for attempted suicide. I don't leave my house anymore. I live in a rural area with no local transportation options.
Can someone offer me some advice? I need to get off this struggle bus or at least learn how to steer it.
Has anyone here been sighted and then lost everything like this??
I'm really struggling with this new life shift. I grieve the loss of all of what I used to be. I don't know how to pick up and move on with this life change. I hate to say it but this has landed me in the psych hospital twice now for attempted suicide. I don't leave my house anymore. I live in a rural area with no local transportation options.
Can someone offer me some advice? I need to get off this struggle bus or at least learn how to steer it.
fbracing02 12 points 3y ago
Hey man you sound alot like me. I build offroad cars/trucks ,go to Baja and chase/pit races and all other sorts of shenanigans. I too lost my ability to see the puddle and thusly weld, I had to voluntarily give up my license at 20/200. Most importantly I went from someone that relied on no one and did everything my self to relying on everyone for a little help here and there.
​
I cant drive anymore but I still have my truck. and I keep adding/modding it for offroad race support use. Its REAL easy to find a friend that wants to go to mexico eat tacos drink beer and drive my truck for me (including all the miss daisy jokes)
I cant stack dimes with the Miller anymore. But I still have my 251 and a TIG. Its REAL easy to find someone that wants to come do the "I just come and weld and talk about how good of a welder I am" part
Its hard for me to handle a plasma torch and follow any sort of line. so I waited and found a smoking deal on a cnc plasma and use the computers assistive tech to draw in solidworks and then cut it out on the table
I know I cant drive a race car in the baja 1000 so I decided to build a car that I can let all the above people drive with me in the passenger seat, because I still plan on crossing the finish line damnit.
My current vision is somewhere around 20/300 with all sorts of fun other weirdness but regardles of my acuity the way I see it is this is all just a new puzzle to beat and a new situation to not accept defeat.
​
I cant drive anymore but I still have my truck. and I keep adding/modding it for offroad race support use. Its REAL easy to find a friend that wants to go to mexico eat tacos drink beer and drive my truck for me (including all the miss daisy jokes)
I cant stack dimes with the Miller anymore. But I still have my 251 and a TIG. Its REAL easy to find someone that wants to come do the "I just come and weld and talk about how good of a welder I am" part
Its hard for me to handle a plasma torch and follow any sort of line. so I waited and found a smoking deal on a cnc plasma and use the computers assistive tech to draw in solidworks and then cut it out on the table
I know I cant drive a race car in the baja 1000 so I decided to build a car that I can let all the above people drive with me in the passenger seat, because I still plan on crossing the finish line damnit.
My current vision is somewhere around 20/300 with all sorts of fun other weirdness but regardles of my acuity the way I see it is this is all just a new puzzle to beat and a new situation to not accept defeat.
A_Nerds_Life [OP] 3 points 3y ago
Wow. We sound like we're in the same boat for sure! (Except I'm a female!)
I hate not being able to see the puddle anymore, too! I went from perfect welds and winning awards to "omg look at that hot mess!" Shit sucks.
That's cool that you're so determined to get across that finish line! I hope you do! I don't know of any finish line for me... I think that is one of my major issues. I don't know what to do with myself anymore. I don't do anything. I just don't know.
I hate not being able to see the puddle anymore, too! I went from perfect welds and winning awards to "omg look at that hot mess!" Shit sucks.
That's cool that you're so determined to get across that finish line! I hope you do! I don't know of any finish line for me... I think that is one of my major issues. I don't know what to do with myself anymore. I don't do anything. I just don't know.
jrs12 9 points 3y ago
I'm not the best person to respond, but it's been 35 minutes and I don't want your post to go unanswered. I think about blindness and visual impairment for the majority of my day. What you just described... the forced change in way of life would be the hardest part for me if I were ever to lose my vision. Vision loss can be a death in some ways because you don't always get a choice about the things you've just described losing. You may not be a city person, but life circumstance and vision loss may force you out of the country. All these things are not choices you may have made otherwise. That's super tough.
Everyone you meet will think it's terrible too... and they'll feel sorry for you and assume you can't do things because they may see you struggle.
When you are ready, reject the idea of feeling sorry for yourself. Enough people will do that for you.
You are going to have to recreate your life. There are still many things you can do that you will enjoy. It just may look different than you expected. Be kind to yourself as you explore all of this newness. Don't expect to be an expert right away. Give yourself time to practice skills. This part can be hard and embarrassing at first, but it will get better.
I tell my students that they can get good enough at the things they can do to make it look like magic to others. It takes a lot of practice and a lot of failure to get to that point though.
Get training as soon as you can. Learn braille. Learn to use a cane. Practice with a screen reader. The sooner you start practicing, the faster you will find your new happy place.
Everyone you meet will think it's terrible too... and they'll feel sorry for you and assume you can't do things because they may see you struggle.
When you are ready, reject the idea of feeling sorry for yourself. Enough people will do that for you.
You are going to have to recreate your life. There are still many things you can do that you will enjoy. It just may look different than you expected. Be kind to yourself as you explore all of this newness. Don't expect to be an expert right away. Give yourself time to practice skills. This part can be hard and embarrassing at first, but it will get better.
I tell my students that they can get good enough at the things they can do to make it look like magic to others. It takes a lot of practice and a lot of failure to get to that point though.
Get training as soon as you can. Learn braille. Learn to use a cane. Practice with a screen reader. The sooner you start practicing, the faster you will find your new happy place.
CloudyBeep 4 points 3y ago
The only thing I would think to add to this great response is that you should find hobbies to replace the ones you can't do anymore. Almost any hobby that doesn't involve operating a vehicle can be done by a person with vision impairment. You just have to try a lot of things and see what you enjoy. Try to find friends through your hobbies and interests, and motivate yourself to catch up with them so that you're not sitting at home alone.
A_Nerds_Life [OP] 3 points 3y ago
I've been trying to find new hobbies but everytime I look at something and it is just all blur it makes me so angry. I remember what it used to look like, and I can't get over wanting the image back.
8i8oio 2 points 3y ago
Hi! This article helped me this week. It’s from an app called “Be My Eyes” where people can look at things for you, for free, and she’s using it to run her business! I’m looking for ... things to improve my life too. Suicide is a problem. Feel free to PM me any time. We can strategize of vent!!
From Graphic Artist to Jewelry Designer
https://www.bemyeyes.com/community-stories/from-graphic-artist-to-jewelry-designer
From Graphic Artist to Jewelry Designer
https://www.bemyeyes.com/community-stories/from-graphic-artist-to-jewelry-designer
CloudyBeep 2 points 3y ago
Perhaps you need instruction in how to adapt your hobbies so that you're not relying on vision, or using the vision that you still have more effectively.
bscross32 2 points 3y ago
Right, explore things you want to do and then find ways to adapt them to your vision loss.
bscross32 1 points 3y ago
Oh, you did fine.
A_Nerds_Life [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Thank you for all of that great advice and for commenting so others would as well! I think I need to work on acceptance right now, then I can learn how to not feel sorry for myself.
Your comment makes so much sense. I'm not kind to myself because I expect so much.
Thank you again! I really appreciate it!
Your comment makes so much sense. I'm not kind to myself because I expect so much.
Thank you again! I really appreciate it!
violetsocks 5 points 3y ago
Well I haven’t lost it yet, but I know that I will soon. Uber:lyft are great options. I’m thinking about moving to NYC where it feels normal not to have a car. I’m sorry you’re going through this. I cry myself to sleep all the time. I’m 27 and had life all figured out until this...
A_Nerds_Life [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Uber and lyft are great except Im too far in the boonies for that! Lol Moving to a city sounds so scary to me. But, I might need to move closer to a city just so I can function again.
Don't cry yourself to sleep! Well, pot calling the kettle black there.. I do the same thing. You can message me any time if you want to talk!
Don't cry yourself to sleep! Well, pot calling the kettle black there.. I do the same thing. You can message me any time if you want to talk!
violetsocks 1 points 3y ago
Thank you..❤️🙌
BlueRock956 3 points 3y ago
Hi,I was in an accident while driving. I went completely blind in an instant. I’m around you age, and I got everything going right for me.
It’s not easy, but the best way to get going with life will be to get the training you need at a rehab center. There are many in the U.S. but if you want the best go to the Louisiana Center for the Blind or to the Colorado Center for the Blind.
It’s not easy, but the best way to get going with life will be to get the training you need at a rehab center. There are many in the U.S. but if you want the best go to the Louisiana Center for the Blind or to the Colorado Center for the Blind.
SamVeoi 2 points 1y ago
I got my learner's at 23 (yeah I know I was late, didn't need one but I had a feeling I should get it) at age 25 I lost my learner's because the year earlier I was deemed legally blind by my eye doctor. I cried a lot. It's been a year now and every time I see my younger cousins driving I cry and want to die.
This post is old and I only found it because I recently on IG Live saw a cousin of mine who's only 2 years younger than me driving and they wear glasses.
This post is old and I only found it because I recently on IG Live saw a cousin of mine who's only 2 years younger than me driving and they wear glasses.
A_Nerds_Life [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Hey! I went through a hell of a time seeing my loved ones driving while I just sat there, wanting so bad to grip the wheel again. As time went on and my depression worsening, i knew i had to figure it out. I learned a phrase "Radical Acceptance" from DBT (check it out on youtube) and this helped me realize what was going on in my life and own it. All of it. The good and the nasty bad. What Im trying to say, once I owned my fate, i could start healing and move towards other goals in life. Find new ways of giving yourself the same happiness you experience when driving. For me, i dove way into my crafts. Found a sense of pleasure and mastery in what i was creating. It was different but it was something i could do by myself independently!
Ill stop rambling and digress!
I do wish you my best.
Ill stop rambling and digress!
I do wish you my best.
KrolPolski 2 points 3y ago
I have RP and had to stop driving. It was quite a life adjustment, but if you move to an area with decent public transportation and get some O&M training you’ll be able to travel independently again. I know for me being trapped in my house was not an option, that would drive me insane. I chose to move right after my diagnosis as where I lived before had no meaningful public transportation.
I also got training in non-visual skills right away. Because I chose to do that I managed to stay employed.
Now I live next to a train station and go where I want, when I want, without having to coordinate with anyone else. It is very empowering.
I also got training in non-visual skills right away. Because I chose to do that I managed to stay employed.
Now I live next to a train station and go where I want, when I want, without having to coordinate with anyone else. It is very empowering.
vwlsmssng 2 points 3y ago
- Skilled Welder
- Pilot
- driving horses across USA
You sound like someone who is a real achiever and capable of acquiring skills.
Have you thought about going back to study to get another set of skills and qualifications? There is some great technology out there that will read text for you. I'm sure there are great people out their who will help you on your way, you just won't find so many in your own house.
You just might need to move away from rural life into a city where life is less dependent on cars.
- Pilot
- driving horses across USA
You sound like someone who is a real achiever and capable of acquiring skills.
Have you thought about going back to study to get another set of skills and qualifications? There is some great technology out there that will read text for you. I'm sure there are great people out their who will help you on your way, you just won't find so many in your own house.
You just might need to move away from rural life into a city where life is less dependent on cars.
A_Nerds_Life [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Thank you for the advice, and kind words, I really appreciate it! What is the tech that will read text for me??
vwlsmssng 1 points 3y ago
> tech that will read text
If you have a mobile phone then on Android it is called Talkback, on an iPhone it is called Voiceover. You can find these under Accessibility settings. They take some learning but can be extraordinarily enabling.
Phone apps would include $1 for the iPhone. This free app from Microsoft will capture and read document a page, continually read short text (like scanning a buffet bar), recognise money, describe scenes, identify colours, read bar-codes, even describe people and learn faces to recognise them later. Bloody fantastic!
Soundscape is another great phone app from Microsoft to help you get awareness of your surroundings. With headphones on it will call out landmarks and the sound will appear come from the direction the thing is in. Also bloody fantastic!
$1 is an app I hear about on this forum but I have no direct experience. It connects you to people who will tell you what they can see through your phone's camera.
$1 Reader is another great app for reading text on your phone or tablet. It can do a good job of pulling the text from a doc or pdf and reading it out loud while displaying the text in large print and highlighting the word being read. This works well if you have some sight and want to follow the text as it is read out. Lots of controls for voices and speed of reading.
A similar app is Dolphin $1 which is free for your phone or tablet.
The VI person I know has a software package called Dolphin Supernova which reads the menus and text on their computer screen including the content of Word docs and some PDF. The same package can also take a camera image or a scan and convert the images of text into characters to be read out loud. Other similar packages for desktop computers are $1 (free of charge) and $1 ($90 per year for home use in the US).
I'm sure there is stuff I've missed. Also I'm in the UK so there will be differences with the US. In the UK we have the $1 which provides a lot of advice, information and support. I think the US equivalent is the $1
If you have a mobile phone then on Android it is called Talkback, on an iPhone it is called Voiceover. You can find these under Accessibility settings. They take some learning but can be extraordinarily enabling.
Phone apps would include $1 for the iPhone. This free app from Microsoft will capture and read document a page, continually read short text (like scanning a buffet bar), recognise money, describe scenes, identify colours, read bar-codes, even describe people and learn faces to recognise them later. Bloody fantastic!
Soundscape is another great phone app from Microsoft to help you get awareness of your surroundings. With headphones on it will call out landmarks and the sound will appear come from the direction the thing is in. Also bloody fantastic!
$1 is an app I hear about on this forum but I have no direct experience. It connects you to people who will tell you what they can see through your phone's camera.
$1 Reader is another great app for reading text on your phone or tablet. It can do a good job of pulling the text from a doc or pdf and reading it out loud while displaying the text in large print and highlighting the word being read. This works well if you have some sight and want to follow the text as it is read out. Lots of controls for voices and speed of reading.
A similar app is Dolphin $1 which is free for your phone or tablet.
The VI person I know has a software package called Dolphin Supernova which reads the menus and text on their computer screen including the content of Word docs and some PDF. The same package can also take a camera image or a scan and convert the images of text into characters to be read out loud. Other similar packages for desktop computers are $1 (free of charge) and $1 ($90 per year for home use in the US).
I'm sure there is stuff I've missed. Also I'm in the UK so there will be differences with the US. In the UK we have the $1 which provides a lot of advice, information and support. I think the US equivalent is the $1
rkarl7777 2 points 3y ago
Depending on how much vision you have left, you might want to consider getting an electric scooter. The state I live in (New Hampshire) does not require any type of license or registration for electric scooters. I'd recommend walking your route first, so that you can note any drains, grates, or other obstacles. Wear a helmet and be safe.
A_Nerds_Life [OP] 2 points 3y ago
It is legal to drive an ORV in my county without a license. I've been considering that or just getting an old tractor with a triangle!
sarahluvsjoy 1 points 3y ago
If you are in the US, bioptic driving is an option for some visually impaired individuals that meet acuity and field of view specifications.
djflex90 1 points 3y ago
This is tough. I’ve been blind all my life, but still do have some sight. I’m so close to being able to drive but not quite there. I wish I could give you mor advice
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