Blind and Visually Impaired Community
↑
15
↓
Blind Chemistry Major (self.Blind)
submitted by lolbicetrybbfhv
I don't know what to do
I lost the bulk of my vision during freshman year of college. I was able to get by because it was just the intro science courses
Now, I have a whole year of organic chemistry and feel hopeless. Regular sighted people have trouble themselves. For me, times that by 100.
Alot of the concepts we focus on are hard to learn without vision (stereochemistry, understanding reaction mechanisms, etc)
My school provided me with model kits to construct molecules but it sucks so much. They expect me to visualize molecules by feeling them. It takes me 10 mins to construct the ones I need.
Having failed my 2nd midterm, I'm starting to wonder if there are limits to what we can do
I feel incredibly disheartened because chemistry was one of my favorite classes
Does anyone have advice? Any here work in the science field?
I lost the bulk of my vision during freshman year of college. I was able to get by because it was just the intro science courses
Now, I have a whole year of organic chemistry and feel hopeless. Regular sighted people have trouble themselves. For me, times that by 100.
Alot of the concepts we focus on are hard to learn without vision (stereochemistry, understanding reaction mechanisms, etc)
My school provided me with model kits to construct molecules but it sucks so much. They expect me to visualize molecules by feeling them. It takes me 10 mins to construct the ones I need.
Having failed my 2nd midterm, I'm starting to wonder if there are limits to what we can do
I feel incredibly disheartened because chemistry was one of my favorite classes
Does anyone have advice? Any here work in the science field?
CloudyBeep 9 points 2y ago
Contact Independence Science. Robert Jacquiss (maybe the CEO, but I'm not sure) is a blind chemist.
Hellsacomin94 4 points 2y ago
Blind Chem Eng here. If you were good at inorganic chemistry, it’s common to struggle with organic chemistry, and vice versa. That said, you’re not so far along that you can’t switch majors. Do you have a solid post-grad employment plan? If not, consider switching. The steric hindrance/visualization issues don’t stop. If you are passionate about the field and have a clear path towards employment it’s probably worth sticking out. If you decide to stick it out, ask for a note taker who can build models for you. Good luck,
Prefect316 2 points 2y ago
Some great advice here. Keep in mind, OP, that since you are in the US your school should be able to hire someone to take notes for you or to construct the models, if you determine that is helpful. Feel free to PM me privately if you need any help with the advocacy portion of this request.
siriuslylupin6 1 points 2y ago
Your school should be able to provide you with an in class aid or a lab assistant. Whatever you call that person they can take your notes help you with the visuals, describe the reactions to you, help you with the labs, and more they can describe the data you need as well.
paneulo 1 points 2y ago
You should definitely reach out to Dr. Cary Supalo. This guy has a PHD. in chemistry. Also, you may need to get blindness training if you haven't already. If this guy can get a doctorate in it, I don't see why you can't make it your major.
This nonprofit website is run by volunteers.
Please contribute if you can. Thank you!
Our mission is to provide everyone with access to large-
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
©2023 HumbleCat Inc • HumbleCat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Michigan, USA.