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Blind and Visually Impaired Community

Full History - 2020 - 07 - 18 - ID#htu14c
11
Advice for adjusting to a different world (self.Blind)
submitted by DreadPossum
I'm sorry if this is long, I have never talk about what has happened and have finally come to a point where I can and I need advice on how to move forward. I dont mean it to be a sob story just giving context to my issues.

About 2 years ago I had emergency brain surgery and from that I lost all my perrifural vision and a good chunk of my central vision. My dr. Said it is about a 93% loss of my visual field. I am glad to be alive.
Since then I have tried to get aid and started college, well my dream is to become a director but since starting school for theater I havent been able to do any of the things I need to. I walk into stuff back stage and I cant see other actors. School is hard and students have asked if I am faking because I wear glasses still and I can look them in the face while talking, idk how to handle people always asking me questions about it.
But the worst part is lately I've been having panic attacks and I havent been able to go in public alone. Everyday I get frustrated becuase I constantly walk into things. I have tried to adjust to using a cane but I'm having trouble with it. I have thought about getting a guide dog but I'm not sure if I should since I'm not completely blind.

I would appreciate any advice anyone has. Thank you so much for reading and have a wonderful day.
80percentaccurate 7 points 3y ago
So even though you have some vision left, your visual field is small enough that you would be considered legally blind in the US. That doesn’t mean much except that you qualify for certain services that someone with more remaining vision may not qualify for. I’m sure you may not benefit from all types of training, but I bet you would be a lot more comfortable with your cane if you got some orientation and mobility training in order to learn how to use it. Get in contact with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Lighthouse for the Blind, or other Blind association in your area and tell them your situation. Ask for orientation and mobility training. Proper use of a cane will help a lot both with running into people and things. If you wanted a guide dog, you may qualify for one, but you have to learn how to use a cane well first.
DreadPossum [OP] 2 points 3y ago
Thank you :) I've been waiting for mobility training for over a year. My local area doesnt have much other than through the state.
BlueZone123 2 points 3y ago
An arts academy will open in Augus. It'll have trained teachers who will prepare blind people on how to act in theator. It'll be an on-line program. I'll come back with more information once it its released.
DreadPossum [OP] 1 points 2y ago
That would be amazing!
Lyssa221201 1 points 3y ago
First off, I am truly sorry you lost so much of your vision. I'm sure that is one heck of an adjustment you've had to make on top of the usual starting college stress. I agree that getting help from your local vocational rehabilitation place is a good idea, even if they aren't the fastest or best equipped place in the world. Have you talked to your college's disability services or academic success office? They might be able to help you work something out to make your schooling a bit easier for you. Sometimes you have to push to get them to do anything so make sure to advocate for whatever you feel will help you the most.
As for people being rude, that's how some people are. I was born blind and I still have people spreading rumors that I'm faking it and I'm in my second year of college. I really think that there is a stigma about being blind where people think you are faking because you are able to function as a human being still. You will probably get a lot of "Well you don't look blind" and "If your blind, than how can you do xxx so well?" It takes a while to get used to and I'm not saying it shouldn't make you angry or annoyed, I still get annoyed when I hear things like that, but it helps to take into account that many non-disabled people have no clue what being blind or visually impaired is like. From what I've experienced, people just haven't been taught that blindness is a spectrum and everybody's ability to navigate or do whatever is different. Explaining gets tedious, I know. I try to take the time to explain to people what I can and cannot see and do. It usually works but you will always have those people that just don't or in some cases won't try to get it.

I'm sorry this is so long. It's something I can go on for hours about. I hope you are able to get better with your cane and reach your goals.
DreadPossum [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Thank you so much. I come back a read this when things get tough. It is really nice knowing that there are others out there with similar experiences
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