Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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how to mentally deal with losing vision (self.Blind)
submitted by PleasantTomato33
hi i was wondering if someone could give me advice on how to deal with losing vision? i’m 14, i have glaucoma, and i’ve been losing vision and i canr do the things i once could do (things i loved) i have enough vision left to be able to see my phone easily unless text is super small or light text on light background and other things i canr think of at the moment but other things are like getting bad. i can’t play video games anymkre bc i can’t see them how i used to. i can’t see shows very well, i’m having a harder time with seeing facial features irl, seeing myself in the mirror, seeing steps, and walking in a dim area. every time when i’m reminded of my vision loss and try to do things that i struggle wihr now that i didn’t before it makes really upset like i want to cry. i just don’t know how to handle it, it doesn’t feel good. i just want to know if anyone has anything that helps mentally.
ThisBlindChickReads 12 points 2y ago
Take it day by day ... Don't keep yourself from not doing things or meeting people ... There will be bad days but when those come, remind yourself that you have other senses that are important to compensate with ... This forum is such a great resource too. Art is a great thing to create too ... Acrylic pour painting is one I took up. It is relaxing and mixing paint colors and trying techniques is fun. With or painting, you don't have to see detail and there are so many ways to do it.
Music is a great escape too ... Instead of video games, creating sounds and making songs on any instrument or singing and recording/ mixing on a program may be a lot of fun for you too.
The main thing is to talk to people, and be honest with your family, they want to help you with this change.
Molly Burke is a blind youtuber and has great tips as well. I am sure there are more like her that you may find entertaining too.
Keep trying things and even think about finding a therapist to help you learn and practice coping skills.
Frustration may come fast, but we can all do more than we think, we just have to be patient with ourselves.
Music is a great escape too ... Instead of video games, creating sounds and making songs on any instrument or singing and recording/ mixing on a program may be a lot of fun for you too.
The main thing is to talk to people, and be honest with your family, they want to help you with this change.
Molly Burke is a blind youtuber and has great tips as well. I am sure there are more like her that you may find entertaining too.
Keep trying things and even think about finding a therapist to help you learn and practice coping skills.
Frustration may come fast, but we can all do more than we think, we just have to be patient with ourselves.
PleasantTomato33 [OP] 2 points 2y ago
thank you i’ll try to do the acrylic pour panting it seems relaxing and fun. i do like making music but i just need to find good programs to make music in. i really like watching blind youtubers/tiktokers it helps me remember that i can still do things with my vision loss. i’m working on getting a therapist also so o hope i can get one to help. thank you for your help
ThisBlindChickReads 2 points 2y ago
If you are able to save up ... Logic pro is what i use ... Also garage band on Macs is a great starter. You can find all kinds of help learning these programs from youtubers as well.
If you start pour painting ... You don't really need to get a ton of regular canvases ... I have drummer friends that give me their old drum heads they would otherwise throw away... And really any flat object will work ... I have even used scrap pieces of wood like 2x4s 😂 ... But definitely cover your workspace with plastic tarps and wear clothes you don't mind getting paint on ... It can get a bit messy
If you start pour painting ... You don't really need to get a ton of regular canvases ... I have drummer friends that give me their old drum heads they would otherwise throw away... And really any flat object will work ... I have even used scrap pieces of wood like 2x4s 😂 ... But definitely cover your workspace with plastic tarps and wear clothes you don't mind getting paint on ... It can get a bit messy
PleasantTomato33 [OP] 2 points 2y ago
thank you for the recommendations i’ll look into logic pro program and i’ll see if i can find some flat old things to do the pour painting. thank you
Star805gardts 8 points 2y ago
It’s going to be hard, it took me awhile to adjust and my vision will continually fade. I honestly just tarted hyper focusing on my ability to hear and remember things like how people are shaped and how they walk rather than their exact features. I’m kinda sick and play jokes on myself - I found the best way for me to overcome is through humor. As for video games. I gave up player vs player and battle royals for open world games where I can go at my own pace and not be out matched every time by people who can see. You’re going to get sad, but it isn’t the end of the world. Keep your chin up and enjoy the vision you have left. But also start training yourself to be better with understanding how to move about and live with Low vision.
PleasantTomato33 [OP] 1 points 2y ago
thank you i do like making jokes about it a lot it makes me feel better and i never thought about hyper focusing on other senses i will start doing that. and for games what do you play ?
nnnnaaaatttt 6 points 2y ago
I’ve been the same amount of blind my whole life so I can’t speak to this experience but I hope you have people around you who support and love you!! I think it’ll be a lot to adapt to but I believe in you!!
PleasantTomato33 [OP] 1 points 2y ago
thank you for the kind words my best friend is very supportive and helpful. thank you
dunktheball 1 points 2y ago
I have had the same amount of vision my whole life also and my family has been good about taking me places my whole life and helping me, but what sucks now is figuring out how to have my own life, especially when it's harder to get along now. I have wasted so many years not figuring something out. do live alone, but then depending on family for transportation and not meeting people and caring too much about what they think etc...
MostlyBlindGamer 5 points 2y ago
I know from personal experience that juvenile glaucoma is hard to manage, but you need to give yourself the best chance of retaining the vision you do have.
Is your IOP in check? Are you getting frequent OCT tests? Are you taking any medication? Have you had any surgery or explored any surgical options? I'm not on a position to advise you to do anything, medically, but if you've never heard of these things things you should do some research and speak to your parents or guardians.
Is your IOP in check? Are you getting frequent OCT tests? Are you taking any medication? Have you had any surgery or explored any surgical options? I'm not on a position to advise you to do anything, medically, but if you've never heard of these things things you should do some research and speak to your parents or guardians.
PleasantTomato33 [OP] 2 points 2y ago
thank you i do take eye drops and i’ve had over 15 surgeries for my eyes and pressure but my pressure goes down after and comes right back up we’ve been trying different things surgery wise and i might be getting another soon. as for the OCT tests i haven’t heard of that but i looked it up and i’m pretty sure i’ve got it done before. i have an appointment wihr my doctor soon so i’ll discuss things wihr him. thank you
MostlyBlindGamer 2 points 2y ago
OK, I'm glad you're getting taken care of. I'm sorry it's that hard though. Humans are incredibly complicated and doctors can hardly do more than plumbing. Did you know nobody knows exactly how Timolol works?
As far as your question about dealing with things, it's not easy. Talking to people in a similar position helps. There's no shame in talking to a therapist or seeing a psychiatrist, if you feel like you need it - there's also no shame in walking right out if it doesn't work for you.
Otherwise, there's a lot of things you won't be able to do and you're sure to feel bad about it. Then again there's a lot of things you can do and other people can't for whatever reason.
You can work on mobility and get various accommodations for school and work.
I play lots of videogames with no vision in one eye and something like 20/400 in the other. Nothing competitive, mind you. Every platform has magnification these days and games are getting more and more accessible. The Last of Us Part II on PS4 is completely playable for totally blind gamers, for example.
Speaking of things we can't do and things we can, I drive fast cars - in sim racing games on a 32 inch screen, up close with racing line assists turned on so I can better see where I'm going. The point is there are alternatives for things, you know?
As far as your question about dealing with things, it's not easy. Talking to people in a similar position helps. There's no shame in talking to a therapist or seeing a psychiatrist, if you feel like you need it - there's also no shame in walking right out if it doesn't work for you.
Otherwise, there's a lot of things you won't be able to do and you're sure to feel bad about it. Then again there's a lot of things you can do and other people can't for whatever reason.
You can work on mobility and get various accommodations for school and work.
I play lots of videogames with no vision in one eye and something like 20/400 in the other. Nothing competitive, mind you. Every platform has magnification these days and games are getting more and more accessible. The Last of Us Part II on PS4 is completely playable for totally blind gamers, for example.
Speaking of things we can't do and things we can, I drive fast cars - in sim racing games on a 32 inch screen, up close with racing line assists turned on so I can better see where I'm going. The point is there are alternatives for things, you know?
PleasantTomato33 [OP] 2 points 2y ago
thank you so much i’ve been working with a cane to try to get used to it and i’ve been memorizing my school and where things are. i didn’t know about the timolol stuff that’s really weird that nobody knows exactly. i’m going to download that game rn on my ps4 i’m really lucky i just got a ps4 gift card for christmas. thank you for your kindness!
MostlyBlindGamer 2 points 2y ago
Yeah, humans are complicated.
Awesome! I hope you really enjoy the game. The story is the most important part of it, so you might want to look for a playthrough video for the first game.
Awesome! I hope you really enjoy the game. The story is the most important part of it, so you might want to look for a playthrough video for the first game.
siriuslylupin6 1 points 2y ago
I am probably the last person you want to ask but just know blindness is not the end of the world and you can still do things. I’ve been totally blind for most of my life and I’ve lived a very full and very fulfilling life. Don’t let anything stop you adjust, adapt and stuff. I’ve been locally well known for my bravery and boldness
Nikki-4-u 1 points 2y ago
For me, I started watching blind people on YouTube and TikTok. It helped me realize my worth. Once I did that I began talking about my vision. Now I love who I am and am proud of all the things I CAN do instead of sad about all I cannot do.
PleasantTomato33 [OP] 1 points 2y ago
thank you i really like watching blind influencers it really helps me. i’ll try to focus on what i can do sometimes it’s just overwhelming. thank you
[deleted] 1 points 2y ago
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