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Blind and Visually Impaired Community

Full History - 2021 - 05 - 31 - ID#npe8vr
12
33% vent, 33% does anyone relate, 33% asking for advice. (self.Blind)
submitted by letspaintthesky
So, since I can remember, my vision has been phenomenally crap in my left eye, (strabismus and amblyopia) with a giant blind spot, diagonal double vision, and, as I found out when I was 22, primitive at best 3D vision.
My right eye is correctable with an astigmatism and far sightedness, and at 22 I developed photophobia (which led to the 'primitive 3D vision' diagnosis).
That's never been a problem before.


Now that I'm going out more and there's more people around (covid's well controlled in my part of australia), I'm finding that I feel really boxed in and claustrophobic. My non supressed visual field is like maybe 100 degrees. The rest I only know I have because I had the test done. 90% of the time though, I wouldn't know I even had peripheral left vision.
I'm trying to see towards my left side with my right eye, and then I miss things on my right side because my right peripheral vision is being used to see what's in front of me. It's like there is always more that I can't see than what I can and it feels as though I'm losing my ability to compensate for it.


Don't even mention looking at the ground ahead of me when I walk. I always have to choose between seeing things on the ground that will trip me, and things at eye level for me to run into. Forget stairs or uneven pathways, I always end up asking my mum to guide me so that I don't stack it.
Just the idea of going out in public is becoming stressful, and I'm not even technically low vision or blind (not by any legal or even diagnostic definition).


My sight hasn't changed, my eyes haven't changed, so why has my ability to cope changed? I hate this.


Thanks for listening to my rant
brimstone_tea 5 points 2y ago
Consider that you have to listen carefully all the time, too. That is just overwhelming and a route that takes others 5 minutes can drain my energy for the whole day.
My cane (and later Guide dog) were a game changer.
Maybe you could consider a cane too on days when you are especially exhausted. You should at least try it and experience that relieve of knowing no one is going to bump into you and you can even close your eyes and let them rest! Also, when you're out with friends don't hesitate to ask them to lend you their arm and guide you a little! Why waste all your engery on things were others can easily help!
You have to household carefully with that energy you have!
letspaintthesky [OP] 7 points 2y ago
I thought I'd let you know that I put in an application with my local blind service (Vision Australia) for mobility/cane training right away. Thanks for the push! :)
brimstone_tea 2 points 2y ago
That made my day!! I'll be thinking about you OP!
letspaintthesky [OP] 3 points 2y ago
I'm thinking I might keep r/blind updated on my experiences in case it's useful for someone else :) Thanks for the good thoughts <3
letspaintthesky [OP] 5 points 2y ago
I didn't even realise that I have to listen, to. It's like I'm so focused to seeing that I forget that's not all I'm doing.


The days when my mobility is awful or impossible and I need to use a wheelchair is the best because I can't afford a power chair, so I have to be pushed. I can actually close y eyes and not stress myself about seeing. I guess I hadn't noticed there was a difference, but yeah, I see now that there definitely is.


Yeah, I get guided all the time, sometimes for the express purpose of closing my eyes when I walk.


I think it's time I get some O & M training. Thanks very much for your comment <3
TechnicalPragmatist 2 points 2y ago
Also train up your proprioception. I guess it is time for a cane isn’t it? Also mind mapping it in your head is helpful make a map of where you walk and your surroundings, a visual/kinesthetic map in your minds eye.
letspaintthesky [OP] 1 points 2y ago
I have a genetic disorder that screws with my proprioception, so everyday is an exercise in training it haha.


It is SO time for a cane.


Yes! Mind mapping is super useful. I'm directionally challenged, so I always try to visualise, for example, what shops in the mall are on the way to the shop I want so that I can find it again, especially if I go to a mall that I'm not as familiar with. I'm the only person I know who regularly stops to check the map in the mall :L
TechnicalPragmatist 2 points 2y ago
Yes it is it helps tremendously with getting around.

And it’s good you recognize and acknowlege it.
letspaintthesky [OP] 1 points 2y ago
If r/blind wasn't a thing, I would continue to struggle with my head in the sand and eventually stop leaving my house all together, not gonna lie, this subreddit is so important <3 and of course, the people here are so supportive :)
TechnicalPragmatist 2 points 2y ago
That’s good to hear.
macadamia_owl 2 points 2y ago
When i quite fast lost all vision on left eye and then years later visual field in my right eye shrunken to 30% then to 15% i needed time to adjust. I needed time to learn how to use what's left more effectively while combining it with other senses:
- use feet to feel stairs and terrain don't look down at them look ahead for other obstacles you will with time train "muscule memory" that will give you feeling",that last step" even without thinking about it conciously. Most important don't rely on counting steps anywhere. If that's not enough for you use white cane for stairs only (after stairs or other terrain hard for you just fold it and hide in backpack that's why they're folded canes!) Don't want white cane? So maybe colorful one? Ambutech is having 12 different colors even full black ones. For sure do proper O&M it's really helpful. When i hadn't cane yet i used umbrella or grocery bag (lightly above ground in front of me) to "detect" stuff in front of me it's not as good as cane but better than nothing.
- feel the air movements, pay attention to sounds: people passing by are making air movement disturbance that is noticeable and will tell you what direction will they go probably, their speed. Same with moving around buildings they create big air current waves - you can tell without looking that wall has ended because other air movement from that side you don't have to scan there with your eyes. Listen closely you can hear if person walking is far away or close, if he's moving near or away, up or downstairs and if on your side. With training - paying attention you could hear closed and open doors and windows, big objects while you passing by even difference between tree and parked car on bad light parking lot. For what for? To reduce stress of scanning around with eye all the time, reduce anxiety of not seeing something, feeling more independent having kind of unique ability. (it can be developed into kind of "human echolocation" even by fully sighted)

I know a guy who has perfect 20/20 vision he quite fast lost 90% of his visual fields due some disease, he did O&M training. He is classified as as blind person since his visual fields shrunken to 30% with 20/20 (he still could ride a bike do all stuff independent)

He wallks with white cane only trough busy roads or if he feels really unsafe who's is rare. He walks alone on it's own even on unfamiliar places very effectively using what he has left and using other senses.
snow671 2 points 2y ago
If money isn't an issue, there are a few brands of electronic glasses, like eSight and Ocutech, that move the image in front of you to a place where you can see it better.

I have not used these, nor have I come across anyone who does, but I wanted to let you know that it is an option.
letspaintthesky [OP] 3 points 2y ago
between my regular glasses and my special order sunnies for photophobia, I don't think I could fit another pair on my face, but it's always cool to hear about all the awesome new technology. Thanks very much for this. I will file it away for future reference! :)
snow671 2 points 2y ago
It should be a small device that clips on to your usual pair, not an actual pair of glasses. Sorry, I know that was a bit confusing. Maybe they're even smaller these days!
letspaintthesky [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Hey, it's all good. I wouldn't know about it at all if not for you! :)
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