Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Just looking for some hope (self.Blind)
submitted by ScatheX1022
Having a rough go today and figured I'd communicate it to others who bave an idea where I'm coming from.
I've been VI since I was 13, I'm now 34F. I had a massive, benign brain tumor in my cerebellum which put pressure on my optic nerve and atrophied it. My visual field is limited, I am legally blind in one eye (though I do have some vision), partly colorblind, and my vision looks like I'm constantly looking through TV static. 20/60 in my right, 20/200 in my left.
I have never been able to drive, and I live in a part of the US where public transportation is basically non existant. This has made employment options extremely limited as I have to walk to/from my job, and everywhere else. Obviously i take rides when I can get them but it's nothing reliable. Uber is also not an option ever since Covid.
I left my job in the middle of n August. There is no sidewalk half my 2.5 mile walk home, and I've almost been hit a few times. I also cross a major intersection and betwee looking for the "walk" sign which I can barely see (there's no sound) and keeping an eye on cars making sure they don't take a right on red and hit me, it's all very unsafe. It would also be impossible to walk in the winter - I live in Maine. Snow, black ice, unplowed sidewalks - that's how it goes. I cannot do it. My previous jobs have been shorter walks and I've made it work, though it hasn't been pretty. But, I don't have a death wish and I simply cannot make the walk safely. I tried for 6 months.
I applied for disability last week. I am terrified I will be denied, I already feel defeated and hopeless. I live with my mom, got approved for SNAP benefits (food stamps).and health insurance, so at least those are positives. I won't be homeless and I can eat nutritious food and go to the doctor if needed. I've looked online for remote jobs, but found nothing in my field (I worked with children). Disability is kind of my last resort. I don't know how else to help mysel, and so much feels out of my control right now. I hope it works out, but I understand they'll likely deny me and I'll have to appeal.
If anyone's got some encouraging words or hopeful stories about SSDI with a visual impairment then I'd love to hear it.
Thanks for reading :)
I've been VI since I was 13, I'm now 34F. I had a massive, benign brain tumor in my cerebellum which put pressure on my optic nerve and atrophied it. My visual field is limited, I am legally blind in one eye (though I do have some vision), partly colorblind, and my vision looks like I'm constantly looking through TV static. 20/60 in my right, 20/200 in my left.
I have never been able to drive, and I live in a part of the US where public transportation is basically non existant. This has made employment options extremely limited as I have to walk to/from my job, and everywhere else. Obviously i take rides when I can get them but it's nothing reliable. Uber is also not an option ever since Covid.
I left my job in the middle of n August. There is no sidewalk half my 2.5 mile walk home, and I've almost been hit a few times. I also cross a major intersection and betwee looking for the "walk" sign which I can barely see (there's no sound) and keeping an eye on cars making sure they don't take a right on red and hit me, it's all very unsafe. It would also be impossible to walk in the winter - I live in Maine. Snow, black ice, unplowed sidewalks - that's how it goes. I cannot do it. My previous jobs have been shorter walks and I've made it work, though it hasn't been pretty. But, I don't have a death wish and I simply cannot make the walk safely. I tried for 6 months.
I applied for disability last week. I am terrified I will be denied, I already feel defeated and hopeless. I live with my mom, got approved for SNAP benefits (food stamps).and health insurance, so at least those are positives. I won't be homeless and I can eat nutritious food and go to the doctor if needed. I've looked online for remote jobs, but found nothing in my field (I worked with children). Disability is kind of my last resort. I don't know how else to help mysel, and so much feels out of my control right now. I hope it works out, but I understand they'll likely deny me and I'll have to appeal.
If anyone's got some encouraging words or hopeful stories about SSDI with a visual impairment then I'd love to hear it.
Thanks for reading :)
carolineecouture 4 points 1y ago
Hey, I just wanted to let you know you aren't alone. I worry about being run over, and I do live in a place with good public transportation! Since the pandemic through people has not been following traffic laws very well. I don't have too much else to add but let you know I get your struggle and upset. I hope it works out for you.
BlindBear902 3 points 1y ago
I have optic atrophy as well but was born with it. I do have to walk to work which is only around 1 mile away or so which I’m very lucky but I live in Massachusetts so we do get some nasty winters which can be hard to walk in. For the time being I’m working at a hospital that does not pay very well at all so I’m keeping my options open. I have tried Uber a few times but it is so much money that I could never afford to do it more than a few times per month unless it was under a few miles. The main thing is you tried working for many years and things just have gotten worse for you totally understandable.
ScatheX1022 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
I'm really glad to hear someone else thinks it's understandable! I know they will challenge it, which is fine - I guess I've just been going through an emotional roller coaster lately and it's alln just a lot. I feel like a failure. I feel trapped. I feel helpless. I do my best to remember everything I have to be grateful for, which is a lot. I applied for SNAP benefits (food stamps).and insurance through the state and got approved so that's awesome 👌 I also live with my mother, so I won't end up homeless. But man, the rest is very uncertain.
BlindBear902 0 points 1y ago
Try to stay positive no one is going to fault you. I don’t think I could walk in the winters in Maine and I’m used to the cold haha. You still have time and hope for the future within the next 6 years a cure could happen and you’ll be only 40 with perfect sight to find a job that you really enjoy doing. Just think of it as a something for now and be hopeful that the future will be better. If you get worried about housing look into section 8 and you could take it and move anywhere in the country.
Tasdigo 3 points 1y ago
Even if you are rejected on your first try for disability please try again. It is not uncommon to be denied the first time you apply. It doesn't always happen but, it can. I have a friend who got their disability the first time they applied. They had all of their paperwork in order. That is important. Documents from doctors. Notarized and ready to turn over to the SSA. Some people have good luck getting their disability with the help of a legal aid attorney. They are usually free or low cost.
snimminycricket 2 points 1y ago
I'm sorry to hear about all this. I don't have any experience applying for SSDI, but I just wanted to say I hear you. It sounds like a tough situation, but I'm glad you're counting your blessings, like having your mom to live with and getting SNAP benefits. I hope things get better; your transportation struggles are something a lot of us can relate to in one way or another. I know working with children is your field, but maybe some remote work will come along that is outside of your field but is something you could do (i.e., transcription, if you have good typing skills). Anyway, hang in there! We're all here for you.
paneulo 1 points 1y ago
Have you considered getting connected with a blindness organization nearby. Either the National Federation of the Blind, or another one? Getting to know others who are in a similar situation, and seeing how they are holding down a job, getting around, etc. can be extremely empowering. That said, Not all groups attract folks like that, so you should for sure be choosy with which organization you decide to attend. If you'd like help getting connected with folks, feel free to DM me, and I'm sure I can find a group in your area.
queengemini 1 points 1y ago
Is working for a tutor hotline an option for you?
[deleted] 1 points 1y ago
[deleted]
ScatheX1022 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Wow, that's really pretty encouraging. If I'm being honest it's definitely partly the fact that I don't believe I can do it safely. Then again, I've barely tried. My SO makes me drive around the parking lot at his work sometimes, guess maybe if I practice more and have more confidence about it I'd feel differently.
Can I ask you something totally unrelated to transportation? Do you have jaw, neck and shoulder pain from straining to see things? I'm really struggling with that and I'm not sure how to pursue it.
Can I ask you something totally unrelated to transportation? Do you have jaw, neck and shoulder pain from straining to see things? I'm really struggling with that and I'm not sure how to pursue it.
swagzillasixtynine 1 points 1y ago
Definitely can empathise.
I’m based in Australia so I’m not familiar with how the US welfare system works but apply and re-apply and if still unsuccessful maybe consider getting in contact with some sort of blind organisation that may be able to advise you.
Hopefully you are successful in getting government support and if you are, consider moving. It might be hard living on a disability pension and It takes courage. I obviously don’t know your exact situation but if you are without a job, single and have nothing really tying you to your current location than find a new place to live with better public transport, higher employment opportunities and maybe even nicer weather. You have work experience so you have something to offer. You can do this if it is something that you want and think it can better your life.
I’m doing something very similar at the moment. I live in a place with poor employment opportunities and bad public transport. I could spend the rest of my life on disability but that’s not really what I want out of life so I’m headed to a bigger city that can better accomodate my needs as a VI person. I just got approved for a rental and move this Saturday.
I know how hard it can be when you feel like there is so little in your life within your control. You seem to have a good head on you as you have appreciation for the things that are going well during a bad time. Everyone has those dark days but we can get through them.
Wishing you all the best.
I’m based in Australia so I’m not familiar with how the US welfare system works but apply and re-apply and if still unsuccessful maybe consider getting in contact with some sort of blind organisation that may be able to advise you.
Hopefully you are successful in getting government support and if you are, consider moving. It might be hard living on a disability pension and It takes courage. I obviously don’t know your exact situation but if you are without a job, single and have nothing really tying you to your current location than find a new place to live with better public transport, higher employment opportunities and maybe even nicer weather. You have work experience so you have something to offer. You can do this if it is something that you want and think it can better your life.
I’m doing something very similar at the moment. I live in a place with poor employment opportunities and bad public transport. I could spend the rest of my life on disability but that’s not really what I want out of life so I’m headed to a bigger city that can better accomodate my needs as a VI person. I just got approved for a rental and move this Saturday.
I know how hard it can be when you feel like there is so little in your life within your control. You seem to have a good head on you as you have appreciation for the things that are going well during a bad time. Everyone has those dark days but we can get through them.
Wishing you all the best.
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