Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Worried about future jobs. (self.Blind)
submitted by throwawayros1
Hi! This is my first time opening up about this, I just kinda wanna see what my options look like. To explain my condition, I'm not even sure if I'm considered legally blind. I was born with one eye normal and one eye small - The pupil is there, but nothing else. My old eye doctor suggested I get a prosthetic when I was younger but the idea kinda scared me as I was 16 at the time. We tried contacts but I never went back for them bc it was too expensive for my family. Later, I read that contacts could possibly tear your eye so that idea is now also scary.
When I was younger, I never really went through a bullied phase. I was blessed enough to be surrounded by people who never made me feel like my eye could stop me from having relationships. But I kept my eye covered anyway and I still get a little self-concious when someone suddenly asks what happened. This thought occured to me while in HS and our teachers talking to us about future careers: what kind of career would exactly hire me?
A lot of people pick remote jobs but I've always wanted to do pharmacy work. I'm afraid that I might have to look for something else I'm passionate about. I'm also afraid that looks might matter more than I want to admit. I actually went through a period of being a little sad because I wasn't sure what I could do.
My question I guess is: what did you do to build confidence? Do you think I could even work in medicine? I know people say "you can if you try!" but realistically, do you think that job would be safe and good for me to do?
When I was younger, I never really went through a bullied phase. I was blessed enough to be surrounded by people who never made me feel like my eye could stop me from having relationships. But I kept my eye covered anyway and I still get a little self-concious when someone suddenly asks what happened. This thought occured to me while in HS and our teachers talking to us about future careers: what kind of career would exactly hire me?
A lot of people pick remote jobs but I've always wanted to do pharmacy work. I'm afraid that I might have to look for something else I'm passionate about. I'm also afraid that looks might matter more than I want to admit. I actually went through a period of being a little sad because I wasn't sure what I could do.
My question I guess is: what did you do to build confidence? Do you think I could even work in medicine? I know people say "you can if you try!" but realistically, do you think that job would be safe and good for me to do?
Lernmor 6 points 3y ago
I work in pharmacy with normal vision in one eye and essentially no vision in the other. Honestly I’ve never felt like it was much of a detriment to my job. Its a little harder to focus on small things but its nothing readers or a magnifying glass can’t fix. I can’t answer you other questions but I can say pharmacy is very doable with monocular vision.
throwawayros1 [OP] 4 points 3y ago
Omg this actually really makes me so happy to hear. So there are no tasks they restrict from doing? Thank you for answering! Hope you're doing well.
Lernmor 3 points 3y ago
The only thing I would say requires any sort of visual acuity is product verification - making sure the proper medication is in the proper prescription order. Most tablets and capsules are plenty easy for me to distinguish and if not I've seen plenty of pharmacists with no vision problems break out magnifiers lol.
Nedskee 6 points 3y ago
Having people tell you that you can do anything has never done much for me. Then again, I have never let my lack of vision hold me back. It takes time to get your head around the fact that you are capable of accomplishing what you want to do. What you have to realize is that the way you accomplish that goal might not look the same as everyone else's. A car accident left me with almost no vision, but I went back to school and completed degrees in fine art photography and studio art photography - which seems completely insane to those who are fully sighted. I found a new way to take images that worked with my remaining vision. It wasn't the same path other photographers took but I completed the task I put in front of myself. I have one smaller eye as well and I was terrified of the full ocular prosthetic route. I even tried the contact route like you did and gave up on it after a short time - it sucked trying to get that thing in my eye. I gave it a few years and went back. The contact was covered my my insurance and it cost me next to nothing. I have been wearing it for eight years now and it has given me so much more confidence around people. I tell you it was totally worth the effort learning to deal with the stupid thing. Feel free to sirect message me if you have any questions I can help with!
throwawayros1 [OP] 3 points 3y ago
yeah, I really appreciate the encouragement but it's hard not to think, "well...yeah I can but will I even be given the chance?" I like what you said here: the way you accomplish things might look different than others. I think that's very true and I should apply more of that thinking. That's so great that you went for photography! I actually wanted to be a photographer but decided pharmacy was something I wanted to do instead. I'm really, really glad to hear the contact worked for you!! I'm planning to do an eye checkup after this whole covid thing blows over so hopefully it works. And I will, thank you!! Hope your day/night is going well.
Nedskee 2 points 3y ago
You don't want to do photography, I have two degrees and it is such a hustle compared to just about any other job. The problem is that everyone has the mentality that photography isn't worth anything and that cellphone images are good enough for weddings etc. I look forward to hearing about how the contact works out for you! Give it a chance!
Dofolo 2 points 3y ago
So you have one fully working eye? Don't worry, you can do almost every job.
You cover your eye? With a patch? Your confidence may get a boost if you do opt for that prosthetic. I have a co worker and a friend, both use one, and even though I know I can't tell which eye is which when looking at them. They both have completely normal jobs too.
You cover your eye? With a patch? Your confidence may get a boost if you do opt for that prosthetic. I have a co worker and a friend, both use one, and even though I know I can't tell which eye is which when looking at them. They both have completely normal jobs too.
throwawayros1 [OP] 1 points 3y ago
I don't have a patch, I don't think I was ever recommended one. When I say I covered it, I meant with my hair haha. I think my vision is quite normal....I could possibly drive if I got some glasses. And yeah, a lot of people say I might as well do prosthetic since my left eye basically has no vision but I would want to try contacts first since the cost might be less.
stephpilon86 2 points 3y ago
Don’t give up before you try. it sounds like you have quite a bit of vision, and there are blind and visually impaired people who work in all different fields. probably not a bad idea to get in touch with a few people in that field so you can ask them questions about what they do and think of ways you can adapt it if necessary.
throwawayros1 [OP] 2 points 3y ago
You're right. I'll try this. Thank you!!
karfenburg 2 points 3y ago
I’m a pharmacist. You will be able to do everything in the pharmacy the same as someone with two functioning eyes.
throwawayros1 [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Sorry for the late reply. Thank you for responding! I was worried there might be something I can't do at all.
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