Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Losing vision in twenties - advice requested. (self.Blind)
submitted by LetsTryThisAgainLads
Hello everyone.
Im looking for a little advice on how to handle my situation. Sorry if its overly wordy.
Im 27 now, and was diagnosed with Bests disease around 6 or 7 years ago, and frankly my symptoms were so mild then i didnt take much too seriously. Lately however it seems to be affecting me more and more. I know the disease doesnt always lead to any particular spot, but it does seem like every few days I notice some sort of decrease and Id like to be prepared if possible. One of my main concerns is employment if my vision continues to decline.
I currently work in IT and love my work. Ive done quite a bit of research and all the articles I read keep saying that vision impairments dont stop people from working in these fields, but as I read them more they seem to all come from a place of always having a vision impairment and by extension having gone to school early for training. I guess Im curious of if there is any form of training of resources I could use to proactively prepare for this if it comes down to it. What skills would I even need to work on? Who do I talk to about locating these places?
My doctors have been plenty helpful with the disease itself, but they do seem to have a bit of an attitude of it isnt a problem now, dont worry about it.
Id appreciate any guidance any of you could provide.
Im looking for a little advice on how to handle my situation. Sorry if its overly wordy.
Im 27 now, and was diagnosed with Bests disease around 6 or 7 years ago, and frankly my symptoms were so mild then i didnt take much too seriously. Lately however it seems to be affecting me more and more. I know the disease doesnt always lead to any particular spot, but it does seem like every few days I notice some sort of decrease and Id like to be prepared if possible. One of my main concerns is employment if my vision continues to decline.
I currently work in IT and love my work. Ive done quite a bit of research and all the articles I read keep saying that vision impairments dont stop people from working in these fields, but as I read them more they seem to all come from a place of always having a vision impairment and by extension having gone to school early for training. I guess Im curious of if there is any form of training of resources I could use to proactively prepare for this if it comes down to it. What skills would I even need to work on? Who do I talk to about locating these places?
My doctors have been plenty helpful with the disease itself, but they do seem to have a bit of an attitude of it isnt a problem now, dont worry about it.
Id appreciate any guidance any of you could provide.
jrs12 8 points 3y ago
What country do you live in? If you live in the US your magic words for getting services are 'to maintain employment.' Contact your local OVR office and let them know your condition is progressive and that you're willing to do blindfold training. The wait lists for services are long, so get started as soon as you can.
[deleted] 5 points 3y ago
[deleted]
jrs12 1 points 3y ago
Good luck. OVR isn't always easy to work with, but you have a right to the services as an American citizen. If technology is what you are most worried about, look at Freedom Scientific with their Zoomtext and JAWS programs. AccessCSforAll is also a really cool group of people who are doing great things in the field.
KE5TR4L 7 points 3y ago
In my case I went blind gradually from 25 to 28
What I did was go into the local social security office and ask about programs available for mobility and job training.
Get started now though because there’s usually a wait and the earlier you start learning the easier the transition will be.
Good luck dude, feel free to come back here anytime.
What I did was go into the local social security office and ask about programs available for mobility and job training.
Get started now though because there’s usually a wait and the earlier you start learning the easier the transition will be.
Good luck dude, feel free to come back here anytime.
[deleted] 2 points 3y ago
[deleted]
KE5TR4L 3 points 3y ago
I’m probably not the best example, I worked for a scummy company doing customer service tech support so they used my condition to justify laying me off. It’s not legal but I didn’t have the money to fight it. And the autoimmune condition that made me blind pretty much destroyed my health so I basically lost the ability to do anything more than freelance work.
As far as actually learning to set up and work a computer after losing my vision, it was frustrating and hard but I learned, and now I have very few issues.
Pretty much everything will be scary and frustrating at first, be kind to yourself and remember that it is possible but it is a skill you gotta work on.
As far as actually learning to set up and work a computer after losing my vision, it was frustrating and hard but I learned, and now I have very few issues.
Pretty much everything will be scary and frustrating at first, be kind to yourself and remember that it is possible but it is a skill you gotta work on.
ej_never 5 points 3y ago
Hi there, I do know a guy that works with IT while completly blind, so I can garantee your research is right. This is not my area of expertise, but as far as I am concerned, once you know how to code and such it's much more about what resonable adaptations you'll make to your new routine. I'd consider getting used to a screen reader essential asthis friend of mine described it as his main tool for work. You did the hardest part already. I know so many people that tried to work in the area and never really made it due to how hard it is to lern, so I'm sure if you look for support and start preparing yourself you will probably be able to keep the job you love.
COMS-2020 1 points 3y ago
I agree with all of the other posters here—do your research before that time comes. I work with the visually impaired and what I have noticed is those who really try to adjust before they lose their vision are the ones who become most successful. Believe me, if other people can adjust and go on to live happy, healthy lives, I am confident you can as well.
BlueRock956 1 points 3y ago
Hi, I'm glad you'll be going to request help soon. There are two opptions, you getting training little by little by having people go to your house a couple of times per week to teach you how to use a cane, the computer, and a little of cooking; or going to a rehab training center for the blind, where you can spend 6 to 9 months training every day to be independent. I went to the Louisiana Center for the Blind and it was challenging but rewarding.
VR assistance can take a long time if you are not on top of them. When you communicate with them, make sure to ask for time lines of services, that way you can follow up with what they are doing to help you.
VR assistance can take a long time if you are not on top of them. When you communicate with them, make sure to ask for time lines of services, that way you can follow up with what they are doing to help you.
[deleted] 1 points 3y ago
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