You are going through a very normal and common phase of sudden severe vision loss - grieving.

No, I’m not kidding. Your mourning the loss of previous things you once enjoyed. This is normal, and many, many people need to or have sought out therapy to help them cope. I was lucky to have a blind father who knew how to fight the system of poor accommodation, and I’m now a CMA, and kennel technician while training to be a vet assistant, and I’m also legally blind. I realized I need to take initiative for myself, so my research and fight for my own rights to live the life I wanted, or finding something similar that let me do what I felt passionate about, even if it was a little bit differently then my coworker or class mate. I really think you should seek not only mental help, but do you research on assistive tech, support groups, services and devices to help you realize that there’s more out there than you can ever imagine

I know everyone is telling you this is normal, and it is, but that doesn't make it any more fun. For what it's worth I've personally been there, I was 19 when I lost my sight very suddenly, and I have mentored people who have, including someone who has RP. I remember what it feels like.

You seem to want the real deal so here's the real deal, at least as far as I know. The way you stop feeling like this is to start going out, meeting your buddies, looking for something to do for work. Yes, I know, it doesn't feel like now is the time. I know it feels like you should somehow figure out how to feel better about life, then go do those things once you're feeling okay. It feels like that should be the order of operations. But it isn't. The way you feel better about life is by doing stuff, by going out, by meeting people, by having a life. Sitting at home drinking, which is something I did endlessly, just leads to more sitting at home drinking. Nothing will change if you do that. You have to start trying to make things happen and finding ways to do that.

And I know that it feels like mountaineering up a vertical cliff at this point. I know it feels impossible. In the end though you have a phone, uber exists, cabs exist, your buddies will help where you need it. Yes, it's like nails on a chalk board. Yes it's expense and a lot of preparation and work but unfortunately tough shit. The disability is like having another job that you have to do, you can't quit and would never have chosen. If you are doing it right, it will exhaust you. You will fall into bed at the end of every day wishing you didn't have to do your second job, and that you didn't have to spend hours organising stuff that should be completely trivial. Unfortunately you, and I, have no choice, and it is far better than not doing it, which puts you in the situation you are in right now.

And you have to start now or it will kill you in spirit if not in body. Don't wait, start now, do it today. Don't wait around to magically feel better about life. You won't. Pick up the phone and call your buddy, go out for coffee and start there. Do it now.

I was 37 when my vision loss started. My hobbies were reading, rifle shooting, video games, and astronomy—all visually intensive activities. I worked in emergency services and drove really fast all the time with lights and sirens. About 6 months later, I had a procedure after an acute medical emergency. When I woke up afterwards, my vision was way worse. I am legally blind now. While I was in the hospital recovering, I told my wife, outside of earshot of my kids who were 11 and 6 at the time, that I wish I had died. Three years later, I am so ashamed I said that.

My point is that if an old dog like me can learn new tricks, so can you. It’s not easy, but you can do it. Get connected with resources at your university. Learn how to use accessible technology. Get support from others and take care of your mental health. Go through the grieving process because it’s healthy, but don’t let it overwhelm you. Life will get back to a sense of new normal eventually. I’m sorry you’re going through this and I wish you the best!

This is a very normal response to your situation. I have retinitis pigmentosa as well. I think everyone who went blind somewhat later in life has felt the way you’re feeling. Rather than create a counter argument to all the assumptions you made about your own future, I’m just going to urge you to seek mental health supportive services and talk to someone. Feel free to DM me if you ever want to chat. I lost my vision around the same age as you and I’m now only a few years older than you. I think this is a very transformational period in your life. Your life won’t be the same going forward but it can be similar if you want. You’ll need to learn a bunch of new stuff to thrive but it’s certainly not impossible. Plus, now you’re apart of a pretty great community too. Don’t be afraid to lean on your fellow blind folks as some of us will be the people most able to empathize with your experience.

I don’t have RP but I can understand how much this is a struggle for you.
But your life doesn’t have to end. You can still go camping with friends, and you can still go to uni. If you can’t relocate to another city, maybe consider doing uni online (from a reputable uni of course)? Get into contact with your local blind services and sign up for everything. Join support groups and groups with other blind individuals. Find adaptable sports for blind individuals - I just recently found out about Extreme Mobility camps through Ross Minor and they look awesome!
You’re grieving and that’s okay, but when you’re ready, please take on any suggestions we give. Please be patient and kind with yourself.

> Seems like the world is turning, with or without me

Correct. It does and it will, but don't let it piss all over you. Some of us have never driven a car. Some never will. But there's a community of people that haven't ended it. So, I'll ask you to try and find the strength that some have, its there, you just can't see it yet.

Puns aside, here are a few pointers:

* If you're American, reach out to your state's department for the blind
* If you're a person of faith, holdfast to it
* The lack of independence is temporary; you'll learn to do everything again.

EDIT: hell, the fact that this community exists is proof your life isn't over just because you can't see well.