What have/do you most struggle with during the pandemic?(self.Blind)
submitted by elerob
Hi There,
So for some background context I do not have a visual impairment but I'm wanting to research and understand more of the struggles of people who do.
I'd like to understand what things have been more of a struggle, no matter how small, whilst being in lock down. What things do you want the world to know or understand more about? If there's anything (invention, app, groups) which has actually improved or helped things during this time that people could get involved with or have more attention to.
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Thank you for taking the time to read and respond. If I've worded something wrong I apologise, please let me know and I'll change it. I just want to be more educated.
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Edit: Thank you so much for your responses!
wishiwasmegmccaffrey10 points3y ago
Not that much actually! That could be because 1. I’m only 17 years old and still live at home and my parents do all the grocery-shopping and such. 2. I live in Sweden and in a part of Sweden where Corona hasn’t spread that badly so we barely have any restrictions.
One thing that annoys me though are the plexiglass-screens put over every counter. I can’t see them and sometimes I’m unsure of if there’s a plexiglass-screen or not. It also confuses me to hear the cashier’s voice so muffled and from such a weird direction.
Signs with directions, self-serving-things are also annoying since I can’t read them or use them.
Last annoying things are the tape on the floor that are supposed to show the two-meter-gaps where you are supposed to stand in a queue. I can’t see the tape and I’m always worried that I’m standing too close to someone or don’t notice when it’s my turn.
But in general, people are still as helpful and nice as always! I was worried in the beginning of the distancing-reformation that people wouldn’t help the disabled because they wouldn’t like to come close to people. But I like that humanity prioritise helping those who need help over following the rules 100% of the time!
In general, I like the distancing. Less people, bikes and cars to navigate through. Shorter lines at EspressoHouse (which means I get my drink faster :) ), less crowded trains which means I don’t have to sit next to someone I don’t know. It sometimes feels like I have the whole world for myself!
DrillInstructorJan5 points3y ago
Biggest problem is work. I'm self employed or more to the point self unemployed right now. Nothing to do with not being able to see, just life stuff.
If you want something that's specifically to do with being blind, I can't meet my regular running partner, which really sucks because of course the gym and swimming pools are also closed. Anyone else could go running solo, I can't do that.
SecTrono1 points3y ago
UV light kill covid very quickly so running might be alright so long as you do it with some sunlight on you and keep a little distance.
devinprater1 points3y ago
Lol tell that to our dumb officials that want us to just stay inside... no UV there... lol. They have no idea what they're doing.
SecTrono4 points3y ago
inside is safest so long as you are only around people you live with.
devinprater1 points3y ago
Yes, that's true, but outside is safe, you seem to have implied, if it's sunny, right?
JackEsq3 points3y ago
I am a parent of a legally blind 5 year old. The biggest issue has been the sudden transition to distance learning. The idea that a 5 year old is capable of sitting and paying attention to a video conference is almost laughable but adding on the visual impairment basically made it impossible.
Also there was a lack of support from the school district for young children with special needs. My child went from having basically an hour a day working with a teacher for the visually impaired to nothing and then a handful of video conferences before the school year officially ended. In addition it was the school's policy not to provide any physical materials due to concerns of contamination. We were lucky that we had a Braille Writer at home already, so she could do some work with that.
The concern now it what will school look like in the fall and having to make a horrible choice. Either we keep her home and safe and continues to have very little education that meets her needs or send her to school and risk her safety and the safety of our family.
[deleted]3 points3y ago
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devinprater2 points3y ago
For me, its social distancing. I'm always afraid when I go out that I'll run into someone that's super afraid of the virus and they'll yell at me or get violent because who knows where I've been and "Oh Stormfather that guy may have the virus!!!!!" It's going to be pretty hard when things open up more, and of course people will still be just as afraid then as they are now until a vaccine comes along.
TheChangelingPrince2 points3y ago
I stopped riding the bus, which makes getting around independently a lot more difficult. The bus is a Petri dish for transmission. Fortunately, my partner has been helping me get around if need me.
Another issue is glasses constantly fogging up when having to wear a mask. Also, just glasses not staying on face. Really annoying, especially during the protests.
Emms2461 points3y ago
I'm not that bugged about the lockdown to be fair. I didn't like going out that much anyway because I never felt independent when I was outside as my family wouldn't trust me to navigate and travel alone too often. My vision isnt that bad but my nystagmus makes reading signs, looking at busses and such difficult. The only thing I'm having real difficulty is is my glasses. My prescription feels like it's changed and I can't get them changed yet. Also another small issue would be that I can't seem to find anything by myself these days. If I leave something on a table or.drop it on the floor I just lose it in my sight completely. Life hack go on eye level to see things pop out if you have this issue as well
noaimpara1 points3y ago
I find social distancing stupidly hard. I have no depth perception and 6ft doesn’t mean anything in my mind. I don’t look blind at all so I just look like an asshole. Also the lack of public transportation (slowly going back to normal where I am) was very hard. Then there’s all the little stuff like the arrows on the floor and signs. Also a small thing, but it’s been super hard to entertain myself without a screen on lockdown.
dunktheball1 points3y ago
Nothing really related to vision. Just depressing that a lot of things I was looking forward to keep getting canceled... such as a music festival, fireworks, worried that the fairs will be, the mlb season is barely having a chance...
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