Many of these questions will be good for him to answer. What support will he need? What work would he like to do? How will he support you and himself?

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Things will likely change with his vision, and he may struggle with these changes. He may have to relearn how to be independent. He may need support from you in different ways. For example, shopping may look different (may need to plan ahead more, may need to take a little longer etc), but he will still be able to shop and will still be able to work. Work might change as he learns new ways to complete his tasks. He might need more magnification or may need to rely on audio, rather than only his eyes. He may need to talk with his employers as he learns what supports he needs. I advise to look for local rehabilitation agencies for the blind in NZ/AU, where ever you may be.

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The main thing I want you two to understand is that it is possible for him to continue a fulfilling life. It is possible for him to do most everything that he did before with potentially slight tweaks or none at all. It is important that he keeps hobbies as much as possible. Part of this may be helping learn how to continue his favorite hobbies. It is all overwhelming and scary and yet very achievable.

I wish I'd known it's normal to grieve your loss of sight every single step of the way. Milestones, new loss, it all sucks. I also wish I'd learned braille and screen reader use while I had some sight, rather than relying on my rapidly failing eyes until I literally couldn't anymore.

My biggest tip is to keep things organized, and consider how he learns/how he likes getting information. I need to be able to interact with it, so I use text to speech for my notes, calendar, important reminders, etc. Some people prefer braille, others prefer audio notes, and some prefer to just rely on their own brain.

Wife of a blind man so my advice is from that perspective. It will be important for both of you to remember that this doesn’t change the most beautiful things in life, like connection, relationships, etc. but some days, it sucks and that’s okay. My husband has “bad blind days” where he gets frustrated with inaccessibility and limitations. It took me a long time to realize I am allowed to have bad blind days also, because this affects me too. That phrase has helped me when things feel especially unfair. It’s a bad blind day not a bad life. Reach out on community websites to see if anyone wants to help with rides for a small fee, it’s cheaper than taxis. He can call grocery stores and ask for assistance shopping. All help should not fall on your shoulders so be sure to get assistance from other people when needed. There are blind organizations he can get involved in to learn about technology and resources and also to just be around other blind people. That has been very valuable for my husband. This will be an adjustment but it will be okay. Best wishes.

Also when his vision gets to a point he may want to consider getting a seeing eye dog. When I got mine it was a big confidence booster and change my life for the better.

Yeah I have RP. He has a lot of headaches in his future. Things will become frustrating. Slowly but surely people will start treating him as a second class citizen. He's going to need a lot of emotional support.

Honestly in the end how it turns out and how your life changes depends mostly on him and how he handles these changes. There is no playbook you kind of make your own future. You know just like basic adulting.

Help him learn (and ideally, also learn yourself) how to use the accessibility features on smartphones, tablets, and computers. They've made huge leaps and bounds in the past decade in making information available nonvisually, without requiring lots of separate devices or extreme tech expertise.

Losing his own transit is going to feel very imprisoning. I'd recommend him learning orientation and mobility now, while he has a bit of remaining vision, and the transit system that is available. Transit is gonna be his main way of getting around. It might be nice to think of staying home forever at first but it will get to you after a while. So knowing the transit sooner than later is better.

Probably get a therapist for each of you. He is gonna have a lot of personal adjustments and you because you'll be there. I don't wanna sound like a wet blanket, but it's very hard to watch another person struggle when you can't help. So it is important for you to also get a support system/therapist. You are also important and going through changes in your life too.

If you can, travel. Go see the world together. The Eiffel tower, wall of China, mount Fuji, grand Canyon, Yellowstone Park. Take pictures too. And after adjustment and time go ahead and travel again. It's freeing and fun at any sight level.

Depending on the company, maybe let them know what's going on. If it's a long term job that he's been with for years, that will help out, then maybe let them know that things will be changing. This is your call though. Y'all know your situation best.

Best of luck to you both.

Definitely not the end of life. I do a lot as a blind person and very aware and kinesthetic very good at spacial stuff too.

And yes get the training early hook up with a commission for the blind or a rehab agency for the blind vocational rehabilitation.