Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Not being able to drive (self.Blind)
submitted by poker-chip
Hello fellow blind/low vision friends! I’m in my 20s and in the U.S., and like many people here, I can’t drive. I rely on public transit (buses and trains) to get to work, go shopping, and general exploration. I used to live in a community that only had buses, but I still made it work for me.
I was born with Bilateral Congenital Cataracts, and I’ve had several eye surgeries. My first awareness of being “different” I guess was when I learned that I couldn’t drive. It hurt seeing friends get their licenses and feeling so helpless.
I’ve tried Rigid Gas Permeable contacts (RGPs) so that I could potentially drive. I had to try 12 different pairs! Ultimately, my irregularly shaped corneas don’t like these contacts.
I doubt I’ll ever be able to drive. Some days, it still stings. Other days, I’m grateful for being able to use public transit. I just read, listen to podcasts, or watch YouTube to make good use of my time. I’m most hurt when I hear people who can drive say things like “I can’t get around” just because their car has to be repaired or something. So many of us still find a way to make it from point A to point B without a car. It also stings when I look at job applications and it says “must have a driver’s license,” even though the job doesn’t require any traveling. As a transit user, I actually always arrive earlier to work than my coworkers.
Does anyone else relate? How do you get around? If you can’t drive, how do you cope? I’d love to hear your perspective!
I was born with Bilateral Congenital Cataracts, and I’ve had several eye surgeries. My first awareness of being “different” I guess was when I learned that I couldn’t drive. It hurt seeing friends get their licenses and feeling so helpless.
I’ve tried Rigid Gas Permeable contacts (RGPs) so that I could potentially drive. I had to try 12 different pairs! Ultimately, my irregularly shaped corneas don’t like these contacts.
I doubt I’ll ever be able to drive. Some days, it still stings. Other days, I’m grateful for being able to use public transit. I just read, listen to podcasts, or watch YouTube to make good use of my time. I’m most hurt when I hear people who can drive say things like “I can’t get around” just because their car has to be repaired or something. So many of us still find a way to make it from point A to point B without a car. It also stings when I look at job applications and it says “must have a driver’s license,” even though the job doesn’t require any traveling. As a transit user, I actually always arrive earlier to work than my coworkers.
Does anyone else relate? How do you get around? If you can’t drive, how do you cope? I’d love to hear your perspective!
Winnmark 10 points 2y ago
I mean, I tend to be a little cold, so to me it's just how it is.
With that said, we're in the 21st century.
So: self driving cars soon.
With that said, we're in the 21st century.
So: self driving cars soon.
fuzzypedals 1 points 2y ago
When? 25 years from now? 50 years from now? People need to get realistic about "self driving cars" and quit telling people who can't drive that "they're just around the corner". They're not. Do some actual research on self driving cars and where it's at today. You'll quickly find out that **fully autonomous** self driving cars are a looooong ways off. They're not going to let non-licensed people drive Level 2, 3 or 4 self driving cars. Us blind/VI people are going to require Level 5, or whatever fully autonomous self driving cars will be labeled as, end of story. Level 5, as of today, is still, basically, science fiction. As someone who's VI and 49, and would cut off their own damn arm with a blunt butter knife if it meant I was able to get a drivers license today, obviously I'm not going to see real SDCs in my lifetime. I really hope, at some point, it becomes reality that blind/VI people get to hop in an SDC and experience what most other people just take for granted now. But, let's be real, this ain't happening in 5 or 10 years. This isn't directed at any one person. I'm just ranting because (1) I live in the shitty USA, where driving is practically mandatory for everyday life activities unless you can afford living in Manhattan, and (2) not being able to drive has fucked up so many things in my life but, "it's not that big of a deal," according to the people I know with drivers licenses. Yeah, right, assholes. Whatever.
halfblindstudent 7 points 2y ago
I think as a guy (22), the hardest thing to cope with is the superficial nature of dating at this age. Some women think a man isn’t worth his salt unless he owns a car-in my experience.
Outside of that, it does get annoying trying to plan activities and trips that require more than a day to complete. Not to mention having to be more vigilant of an area your traveling through with public transit. One of my biggest fears is ending up on the “wrong side of town” without any other exit other than a bus or train.
As a young man, I’m spending my free time building a marketable skillset so that I can make enough to afford taxi services like Uber and Lyft more regularly. And who knows, self-driving cars might be the blessing us visually impaired have been waiting for. Stay strong and stay focused. Work on the things you can control and don’t dwell on those you can’t.
And above all, know your not alone. Cheers.
Outside of that, it does get annoying trying to plan activities and trips that require more than a day to complete. Not to mention having to be more vigilant of an area your traveling through with public transit. One of my biggest fears is ending up on the “wrong side of town” without any other exit other than a bus or train.
As a young man, I’m spending my free time building a marketable skillset so that I can make enough to afford taxi services like Uber and Lyft more regularly. And who knows, self-driving cars might be the blessing us visually impaired have been waiting for. Stay strong and stay focused. Work on the things you can control and don’t dwell on those you can’t.
And above all, know your not alone. Cheers.
AchooCashew 5 points 2y ago
I’ve never been able to drive. My biggest strategy is to always live somewhere within walking distance of amenities and essentials, so I don’t have to depend on rides and can avoid potential stress of transport not showing up on time, uncertainty, all that. That isn’t possible for everyone, so I am grateful I have been able to arrange things this way. I do get medical taxis to some health related appointments and I do use the bus system, but I highly prefer walking. It’s such a big part of my identity that I can’t imagine just being able to hop in a car and drive five minutes to a store on a whim. It makes my life much more intentional and feels meaningful to engage in so much regular physical activity while being as self-reliant as possible.
Tiger3Tiger 5 points 2y ago
I'm sighted, but I also can't drive. So I get it.
My reasons are mental health related, but insurmountable. I also have tried different things to be able to, but they never helped...
Sometimes I feel a little helpless. My cat got sick a little while ago and I had to rely on a friend to take me to the emergency vet.
Over time, I've accepted it. It came naturally the longer I spent without it. I just feel like it's something I can't change, so I have to live with it. I can still get from point a to point b.
My reasons are mental health related, but insurmountable. I also have tried different things to be able to, but they never helped...
Sometimes I feel a little helpless. My cat got sick a little while ago and I had to rely on a friend to take me to the emergency vet.
Over time, I've accepted it. It came naturally the longer I spent without it. I just feel like it's something I can't change, so I have to live with it. I can still get from point a to point b.
TK_Sleepytime 4 points 2y ago
Same here. I do not have a lens in my only eye and the cornea is scarred. I moved from my hometown to a large city just to be independent. Public transportation is essential for my happiness. I'm now in my 40s and I'm mostly fine with it. I do still get annoyed when I have to ask someone for a ride to a place not accessible by bus or train or when work events are planned without even considering how everyone will get there.
AchooCashew 6 points 2y ago
No kidding! Sometimes (often) it’s not worth spending hours on a bus to get to a place that’s otherwise a mere 20 minute drive away.
Asking for rides is the worst; I feel like a burden as a friend having to ask for so much. It also allows me to find out who is going to be a true, long-term friend, so there’s that silver lining. If I’m too much of a hassle to hang out with, that relationship probably isn’t worth trying to hold onto.
Asking for rides is the worst; I feel like a burden as a friend having to ask for so much. It also allows me to find out who is going to be a true, long-term friend, so there’s that silver lining. If I’m too much of a hassle to hang out with, that relationship probably isn’t worth trying to hold onto.
LadyAlleta 3 points 2y ago
I've always had a fear of driving because my mom tried to push me into it. There is no transit where I live and I have to rely on Uber or friends/family to get around.
But I'm my mind anytime I think of driving, I am bombarded with thoughts of killing someone or myself. Even if I was technically the innocent one and another crashed into me, I wouldn't know what to say in court because the jury would see that I'm blind and make assumptions that I am automatically guilty.
I loved transit when I was able to live in big cities and in Europe. But despite having no transit around me I can't get over the fear of driving.
But I'm my mind anytime I think of driving, I am bombarded with thoughts of killing someone or myself. Even if I was technically the innocent one and another crashed into me, I wouldn't know what to say in court because the jury would see that I'm blind and make assumptions that I am automatically guilty.
I loved transit when I was able to live in big cities and in Europe. But despite having no transit around me I can't get over the fear of driving.
masthews 2 points 2y ago
Same boat, it sucks especially when you live a fairly normal life otherwise. It has definitely shaped my life more than any other aspect of being visually impaired. I’m grateful to have a good job because it allows me to have my own place in the middle of a walkable city with lots of transit options. Still, it’s hard to not feel limited by it sometimes. Just gotta do what you can do though - plenty of people struggle with physical limitations of varying degrees. Hoping GA self driving cars aren’t in the too distant future but I’m not getting any younger over here.
dankswed 2 points 2y ago
I'm legally blind, and I'm also epileptic, so I double can't drive! 😂 My neurologist was relieved that he didn't have to break my heart regarding not being able to drive.
It's a bummer, but like many have said, it's a matter of just... Coming to terms with it, accepting it's true, and letting it go. I'm fortunate that my fiance can drive me to work and such right now. But I miss taking transit, cuz I liked reading on there, listening to music, whatever else. I call it my "public me time". Cuz why not, hahaha.
But, honesty, self-driving cars will be a thing. Soon. I hope. And if not, we'll all become millionaires with private chauffeurs and kick ass rides. 😎
It's a bummer, but like many have said, it's a matter of just... Coming to terms with it, accepting it's true, and letting it go. I'm fortunate that my fiance can drive me to work and such right now. But I miss taking transit, cuz I liked reading on there, listening to music, whatever else. I call it my "public me time". Cuz why not, hahaha.
But, honesty, self-driving cars will be a thing. Soon. I hope. And if not, we'll all become millionaires with private chauffeurs and kick ass rides. 😎
siriuslylupin6 2 points 2y ago
It is just how it is honestly. I for instance do very well with it it’s just reality. The pandemic makes it challenging I am not altogether sure if I want to ride the buses now. I hate being sick. But yeah. So I rely on rides and a very interesting family. That’s not all that reliable.
BlindASoccerUSA 2 points 2y ago
I use public and paratransit, I’m the guy who gets pleasure from planning routes to obscure places that no one else would ever consider doing, like going to the edge of one county using paratransit and then linking up with another county’s paratransit to get to a destination in their county. I love people who can drive who get Uber eats and pay $25 for Taco Bell when it’s 3 miles away from their house. I’ve always elected to live close to a grocery store so I can walk there for essential, or not so essential things. I don’t know how big UZURV is planning to get, but I am of the understanding that they are in 14 states now and they are subcontracting with many paratransit companies for their demand response service, if you have an iPhone, you can ask for transit directions to a specific location just as you can with walking and regular driving directions, or there’s mobility navigation apps like Lazarillo and sound scapes which help with mostly way finding. I feel you though, when I’m with someone that drives and we can knock out like three errands in a half hour, it’s pretty amazing.
siriuslylupin6 1 points 2y ago
I like planning routes too but it’s usually exploration and food related and knowing the city like the back of my hand and it’s usually bus or train. To this end I know quite a few if not most eateries and my city really well.
kelpangler 1 points 2y ago
Just by the number of responses you know this is a big thing. I lost my vision over a matter of months and I distinctly remember the time and place where I told myself I shouldn’t drive anymore.
I miss being able to load the truck and take my girls camping for the weekend. Here in Southern California we’ve got easy access to the beach, the mountains, and the desert. It hurts me that I can’t do this anymore. I miss it so much.
But I’m glad you’re using transit and it sounds like you’re very comfortable with it. I’ve only used it probably a dozen times so far. All but one trip with my daughters. It’s something I hope to learn better.
For me I guess I have more immediate issues to deal with. Like crossing streets or learning to buy things independently. Those keep me occupied.
I really do not have any advice but I can understand what you’re saying.
I miss being able to load the truck and take my girls camping for the weekend. Here in Southern California we’ve got easy access to the beach, the mountains, and the desert. It hurts me that I can’t do this anymore. I miss it so much.
But I’m glad you’re using transit and it sounds like you’re very comfortable with it. I’ve only used it probably a dozen times so far. All but one trip with my daughters. It’s something I hope to learn better.
For me I guess I have more immediate issues to deal with. Like crossing streets or learning to buy things independently. Those keep me occupied.
I really do not have any advice but I can understand what you’re saying.
BlueRock956 1 points 2y ago
Hi, the line where it states, Must have a driver's license should not stop you from applying. That is something that the agency should be able to accommodate for you. I've worked in places where I had a driver and it was paid by the agency.
Vwave 1 points 2y ago
Legally blind and I’ve never driven, I found it helpful to get involved with clubs. I went to a small university. I got involved with political activism. I was in recovery very young as well. The small groups of people made getting a ride more accessible. One of the things I miss now that I have Uber and LYFT. I don’t rely on people to get rides as much. I think it makes me a little less social. The thing about dating is hard, I don’t know how I made it through.
grinchnight14 1 points 2y ago
One reason I'm happy I won't be able to drive is that I won't have to be like my dad and yell at random cars on the road while driving lol. It's so annoying when he does it
[deleted] 1 points 2y ago
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awesomesaucesaywhat 1 points 2y ago
Have you tried scleral lenses? They’re hard lenses but they vault over the cornea
[deleted] 1 points 2y ago
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ukifrit 1 points 2y ago
getting a drirer's licence ain't cheap, so I didn't had this feeling. Most people I know, sighted or blind, also depend on poblic transport and uber like serrices. Driring is not much of a concern for me.
DrillInstructorJan 1 points 2y ago
I likely wouldn't drive much because most of my work is in central London so I'd do it by public transport, which I can do, but I resent the sheer amount of work. Just to go jump on a train without thinking about it and planning it a day ahead, god.
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