Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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What Can I Do for My Brother? (self.Blind)
submitted by lalalinnb
Hello,
My brother (27) went blind due to a rare autoimmune disease (probably, no diagnosis can be confirmed, but he is suspected to have Devic's Disease) almost 2 years ago.
Currently, he is home from school because of COVID and he is doing "online classes" over the phone and Zoom. He is struggling, and I don't know exactly what I can do to help him. He's really struggling to learn computer skills with JAWS on his laptop that the school for the blind gave him to use while he's home.
He's gotten okay with some things, opening Word and writing is the one thing he's doing well with, but today he hit a low and I don't know how to help him or what to say. He's trying to use Outlook (the instructor told him to) to reply to emails but he can't get to the "reply" button and he won't let me look up the short-key command to help him with it.
My brother keeps screaming and calling himself retarded and getting upset with himself. He hates being blind, not that anyone likes it, but I really want to help him. He primarily asks me for help, especially with technology, but I really don't know what to do.
Can anyone give me a bit of advice on how to best go about this? How can I help him with things like this and what can I do to help calm him down? He was doing so well in school when he was physically there, but now it's like he's back to the very beginning when he first went blind and I'm worried about him.
Any advice or prayers or good vibes help, honestly. I really just want to help ease some of the anger and pain he feels from being blind. Will it ever get any easier on him?
My brother (27) went blind due to a rare autoimmune disease (probably, no diagnosis can be confirmed, but he is suspected to have Devic's Disease) almost 2 years ago.
Currently, he is home from school because of COVID and he is doing "online classes" over the phone and Zoom. He is struggling, and I don't know exactly what I can do to help him. He's really struggling to learn computer skills with JAWS on his laptop that the school for the blind gave him to use while he's home.
He's gotten okay with some things, opening Word and writing is the one thing he's doing well with, but today he hit a low and I don't know how to help him or what to say. He's trying to use Outlook (the instructor told him to) to reply to emails but he can't get to the "reply" button and he won't let me look up the short-key command to help him with it.
My brother keeps screaming and calling himself retarded and getting upset with himself. He hates being blind, not that anyone likes it, but I really want to help him. He primarily asks me for help, especially with technology, but I really don't know what to do.
Can anyone give me a bit of advice on how to best go about this? How can I help him with things like this and what can I do to help calm him down? He was doing so well in school when he was physically there, but now it's like he's back to the very beginning when he first went blind and I'm worried about him.
Any advice or prayers or good vibes help, honestly. I really just want to help ease some of the anger and pain he feels from being blind. Will it ever get any easier on him?
CosmicBunny97 7 points 2y ago
Oof I understand the frustration. Please look into technology training with him, or maybe consider getting him an iPad or something like that if his courses are word-based. I’d also suggest deferring if he can so he can concentrate on learning technology, because I can’t imagine how stressful it would be to learn a screen reader on top of assessment deadlines.
lalalinnb [OP] 3 points 2y ago
He's doing technology training via Zoom call at the moment, through the school for the blind in our state. It's just frustrating him because this is new and he doesn't know what to do. He doesn't feel like he's got enough instruction right now like he did before COVID shut the school down. We've offered him iPads and other tablets and a smartphone but he doesn't want to learn both at once. As it stands right now, he can't even use the flip phone he got with any kind of confidence in terms of dialing the numbers and finding contacts or other things like that.
He was doing well at school but he was only there about a month before it was closed and we don't know when it will open back up. I just wish I knew what to do to help ease some of his frustration and anger.
He was doing well at school but he was only there about a month before it was closed and we don't know when it will open back up. I just wish I knew what to do to help ease some of his frustration and anger.
CloudyBeep 8 points 2y ago
Many blind people prefer using an iPhone to an iPad. Some things can be easier to do on a mobile device, so he shouldn't discount it so quickly, though I understand why he has.
lalalinnb [OP] 2 points 2y ago
I'll have to see if he would like to try it again. Since he left the school, he's been a little nervous to try something because I guess the teacher told him it would be too difficult to learn JAWS and a mobile program at the same time.
CosmicBunny97 2 points 2y ago
I totally get the frustration. I’m a Mac user, but it took me around 6 months to get used to VoiceOver. Even if I could’ve continued uni, I didn’t feel prepared, so that’s why I think it might be a good idea if your brother could take some time off just to get used to technology. I need to learn JAWS/NVDA so I can feel confident in a workplace, so I’m sure I’ll experience more frustration. If you live in America, I there’s services called vocational rehabilitation services that can help him further. They can teach him to use a computer and a smartphone I’m sure. Just be there for your brother, and ensure him that there’s no rush and he can take his time, and that there’s no harm in trial and error.
lalalinnb [OP] 1 points 2y ago
He's using the Kentucky School for the Blind through our rehab services in the state. They were teaching him how to use a computer on campus at school, where he was living because the school is over an hour away and we can't drive that twice a day. However, the school closed in March due to COVID and hasn't reopened yet. Right now they're doing tech classes via Zoom calls (he calls from his flip phone and does the meeting that way) a few days a week but it isn't really helping him.
He was doing better when he was physically at the school, but now he's lost so much of the confidence he'd gained in the few months he was there. I'll look into a Mac, I've seen people say it's easier but those computers are so expensive.
Thank you for your advice. We're just trying to be patient with him and trying to be there for him the ways he needs us. I just hate seeing him so down, and it breaks my heart that I just don't know how to help him properly right now.
He was doing better when he was physically at the school, but now he's lost so much of the confidence he'd gained in the few months he was there. I'll look into a Mac, I've seen people say it's easier but those computers are so expensive.
Thank you for your advice. We're just trying to be patient with him and trying to be there for him the ways he needs us. I just hate seeing him so down, and it breaks my heart that I just don't know how to help him properly right now.
CosmicBunny97 1 points 2y ago
Hmm... I'm just wondering if there's anyone that can give him one-on-one services more consistently? Whether that's over the phone, Zoom or depending on the restrictions you guys have, in person. I do love how easy the Mac is to use - it's pretty much control + option + arrow keys, but there's some keystrokes. I'm unsure if JAWS or NVDA has this, but Mac has a keyboard command guide where you press the VO keys and keys on the keyboard and it'll tell you what to do. But yeah, they're pretty pricy. I'd suggest looking at the refurbished store or even used. He just needs...something, but I get that this is overwhelming for him and all of you. When he's ready too, I'd really suggest getting him an iPhone Se 2. There's a lot of apps and he'll be possibly less isolated too if he uses social media.
DrillInstructorJan 4 points 2y ago
Many of us have been there.
I solve these situations by solving the problems one by one until there aren't any problems left.
There are solutions to most of the tech stuff. If he's two years in and he's not in a position to look up keyboard shortcuts on his own, then that's the first problem to solve. If I wanted to look up a keyboard shortcut I'd hit control and T for a new tab and type "outlook reply keyboard shortcut." Maybe if he won't accept it from you, he'll accept it from me, it's control and R. And I don't even use outlook.
It's not easy to be calm and you're right, I don't like it either. You don't have to like it, you do have to find a way of living with not liking it. In my experience that comes from doing stuff and demonstrating that you can do stuff. I went out for lunch with a friend today. That's not a big deal, I booked a cab and looked at the menu online. To be able to do that I had to be able to operate my phone and my computer, and to do that I had to be able to use the accessibility features. So having some sort of life that's worth living does start with the basic stuff.
Get him to post on here and we'll solve the problems one by one.
I solve these situations by solving the problems one by one until there aren't any problems left.
There are solutions to most of the tech stuff. If he's two years in and he's not in a position to look up keyboard shortcuts on his own, then that's the first problem to solve. If I wanted to look up a keyboard shortcut I'd hit control and T for a new tab and type "outlook reply keyboard shortcut." Maybe if he won't accept it from you, he'll accept it from me, it's control and R. And I don't even use outlook.
It's not easy to be calm and you're right, I don't like it either. You don't have to like it, you do have to find a way of living with not liking it. In my experience that comes from doing stuff and demonstrating that you can do stuff. I went out for lunch with a friend today. That's not a big deal, I booked a cab and looked at the menu online. To be able to do that I had to be able to operate my phone and my computer, and to do that I had to be able to use the accessibility features. So having some sort of life that's worth living does start with the basic stuff.
Get him to post on here and we'll solve the problems one by one.
lalalinnb [OP] 1 points 2y ago
He does want to post on here, but he isn't ready to try and navigate the website yet. He's been able to use his Alexa device to listen to some posts and use YouTube, but aside from that he's not been on the internet or anything. He uses his Alexa for news, music, Audible, and other things like that right now and he started writing again.
Those things you mentioned though, they are big things. Really big things. He's still afraid to go out in public. People treat him in a weird way and he hates it, and he also has a hard time with all the noise in places like restaurants because he said it gets overwhelming and hard to focus. I don't push him. We work out together, but he won't go on walks with me yet because he's too scared to walk on the road and we don't have dedicated sidewalks in my area.
It does start with the little things, though. He can cook now and makes dinner a few times a week, which helps him. Thank you for your encouragement! I've been passing all of this on to him and you guys are really helpful. I'm so appreciative. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Those things you mentioned though, they are big things. Really big things. He's still afraid to go out in public. People treat him in a weird way and he hates it, and he also has a hard time with all the noise in places like restaurants because he said it gets overwhelming and hard to focus. I don't push him. We work out together, but he won't go on walks with me yet because he's too scared to walk on the road and we don't have dedicated sidewalks in my area.
It does start with the little things, though. He can cook now and makes dinner a few times a week, which helps him. Thank you for your encouragement! I've been passing all of this on to him and you guys are really helpful. I'm so appreciative. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
CloudyBeep 4 points 2y ago
The keystroke to reply to an email in Outlook is CTRL-R. Don't tell your brother what it is, but ask questions like "Have you tried pressing ALT and CTRL with letters, because that's how you perform many Windows keystrokes?" and then "What letter would be the obvious choice to go with CTRL or ALT?" When he eventually works it out and presses it, tell him that he was successful because JAWS normally provides no verbal feedback for this particular keystroke.
lalalinnb [OP] 3 points 2y ago
I actually hadn't thought about this but this is an AMAZING suggestion. I'll try this with him the next time he wants to work on it with me. Thank you so, so much!
CloudyBeep 3 points 2y ago
If you let me know what other things he's struggling with, I might have some suggestions for those too.
lalalinnb [OP] 2 points 2y ago
I was able to give him the keystroke to reply to an email! He said it's a lot easier now but he's still getting used to it. He has trouble navigating Outlook but this is only now the third day he's been using it.
He's been struggling with his computer in general, but I know he's been writing again -- he wrote creepypastas and stuff like that, he loved to write -- so that's something I'm happy about. He wants to eventually get back on Reddit, but he said he's not ready to try using the internet yet. He also learned how to use his Alexa device to search Reddit and YouTube, so he's able to do some things but not others. I know it's got to be a huge learning curve.
Thank you so much for your help. Seriously, it means so much to me.
He's been struggling with his computer in general, but I know he's been writing again -- he wrote creepypastas and stuff like that, he loved to write -- so that's something I'm happy about. He wants to eventually get back on Reddit, but he said he's not ready to try using the internet yet. He also learned how to use his Alexa device to search Reddit and YouTube, so he's able to do some things but not others. I know it's got to be a huge learning curve.
Thank you so much for your help. Seriously, it means so much to me.
CloudyBeep 1 points 2y ago
Reddit is infinitely easier to use on an iOS device with a particular app—I never use the website, so wanting to use Reddit could be an incentive for learning to use a smartphone.
ftrnlt 1 points 2y ago
I'd think that using the keyboard shortcuts is exactly what he needs to embrace.
bradley22 3 points 2y ago
In my oppinion thunderbird is a lot easier to use once it's set up.
The truth of the matter is, he'll need to learn how to research things on his own, like outlook shortcuts, for example.
I was born completely blind so can't say I understand what he's going through but he needs to keep trying again again and again, it's not easy being blind and I'd assume it's extra hard if you've gone from seeing to not, but it's doable.
Feel free to PM me with any questions you or he might have.
The truth of the matter is, he'll need to learn how to research things on his own, like outlook shortcuts, for example.
I was born completely blind so can't say I understand what he's going through but he needs to keep trying again again and again, it's not easy being blind and I'd assume it's extra hard if you've gone from seeing to not, but it's doable.
Feel free to PM me with any questions you or he might have.
lalalinnb [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Thank you so much! I'll PM you if he has any questions!
bradley22 1 points 2y ago
No problem.
Prefect316 3 points 2y ago
Jaws also comes with tutorials for all kinds of things. I'm not sure if Outlook is one of them, but check it out under "Help" in Jaws. I came back to Jaws after 10 years on a Mac, and the tutorials helped me get back on my feet
lalalinnb [OP] 1 points 2y ago
I'll definitely look into this with him! Thank you so much! We didn't know it had tutorials!
KillerLag 3 points 2y ago
Has he gotten any training on how to use his technology? What state do you guys live in?
lalalinnb [OP] 2 points 2y ago
He got a little bit before COVID shut down the school for the blind in Kentucky. They currently have classes via Zoom call once or twice a week but I don't think he's getting much out of them for the technology side of it. He's gotten good with some basic stuff, but anything new kind of sets him off because he's frustrated.
oncenightvaler 2 points 2y ago
I have been blind my whole life and some days I still struggle, I use Outlook almost exclusively for my Emails, so if he wanted someone to call up then I may be able to help.
Also, I like the Apple program Voiceover, better than JAWS.
I hope you and your parents continue to help and be patient with him through this difficult time.
Also, I like the Apple program Voiceover, better than JAWS.
I hope you and your parents continue to help and be patient with him through this difficult time.
lalalinnb [OP] 1 points 2y ago
I think we're going to check out getting a Mac and stuff, since a lot of people have suggested it. Thank you so much for your help!
bradley22 2 points 2y ago
Learning how to use an Iphone might be a bit easier for now than learning JAWS, also there's a free screen reader out there called NVDA that works in a similar way to jaws but it's free.
I'd recommend the Iphone because it's easy to use, you swipe left to go left through a program, and swipe right to go right, double tap on any icon or button and Voiceover will click that button/icon for you.
Check out applevis.com for a lot more instructions and podcasts.
I can't help with jobs and honestly that is one of the hardest things, at least for me, as a blind person but if the school insists he learns JAWS and how to use the laptop, he needs to use it every day and learn to research things on his own.
Keep in mind; not every program is going to be accessible for screen reader users but that shouldn't stop him.
I'd recommend the Iphone because it's easy to use, you swipe left to go left through a program, and swipe right to go right, double tap on any icon or button and Voiceover will click that button/icon for you.
Check out applevis.com for a lot more instructions and podcasts.
I can't help with jobs and honestly that is one of the hardest things, at least for me, as a blind person but if the school insists he learns JAWS and how to use the laptop, he needs to use it every day and learn to research things on his own.
Keep in mind; not every program is going to be accessible for screen reader users but that shouldn't stop him.
lalalinnb [OP] 1 points 2y ago
I believe his teacher said that learning JAWS and NVDA first would be easier for him, and she said learning two or three things at once would be too overwhelming. Right now he's working on learning JAWS, but it's frustrating for him. He has NVDA on his laptop but he doesn't know how to use it yet because they haven't taught him that so far.
I'll keep all of this in mind though going forward, and he can talk to his teacher to see what she thinks. She may be able to do special classes with him over Zoom for NVDA or we might be able to get him an iPhone to use instead of his flip phone.
Thank you!
I'll keep all of this in mind though going forward, and he can talk to his teacher to see what she thinks. She may be able to do special classes with him over Zoom for NVDA or we might be able to get him an iPhone to use instead of his flip phone.
Thank you!
bradley22 1 points 2y ago
Trust me the Iphone is a lot better than a flip phone.
Back when I had one they were great, for what they're meant to do and the battery lasted for ever but now, Iphones and android devices are like mini computers, in fact; they are mini computers in your pocket.
If you want, I could talk to him? I have skype or whatsapp and am from the UK so we'd have to work around the times but I'm willing to help if i can.
Back when I had one they were great, for what they're meant to do and the battery lasted for ever but now, Iphones and android devices are like mini computers, in fact; they are mini computers in your pocket.
If you want, I could talk to him? I have skype or whatsapp and am from the UK so we'd have to work around the times but I'm willing to help if i can.
je97 2 points 2y ago
You can happily ask me any tech questions that he has and I'll do my best to answer them in an easy to understand way. I had to self-teach myself technology beyond typing, and I know just how annoying it gets.
lalalinnb [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Thank you so much! If he has anymore tech questions, I'll let you know!
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