Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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How can we support my mom? (self.Blind)
submitted by esqueletica7
Hi there!
Toronto (GTA) - CANADA
About a month ago my (20F) mom (50F) had to be admitted to a hospital far away from home because of a random and sudden eye infection. She was unable to open her eyes without pain for several weeks. A month in, multiple doctors are still not able to properly diagnose what happened or what she is suffering from. This is frustrating in itself as she is not only unable to see at all but experiences migraines and loss of balance as she adjusts to being blind. The doctors are often harsh and must perform biopsies and eye exams every week. the hospital has provided her with a PSW who visits once a day, a social worker, and a person to check safety needs for adjusting the house. Besides that, we are still just absolutely lost with how we can properly support her or make things comfortable. By we I refer to older brother and myself; the sole caregivers of my 50 year old mother. I am currently a full time university student living on my own about an hour away from my mom. My sibling is a parent of 3. We have absolutely no one to rely on other than the occasional helping hand. Im feeling extremely frustrated and defeated by the system in which we find ourselves. I have no resources as to how to even navigate maintaining a 4 bedroom house or looking after my mother.
Life prior to the incident was vastly different. My mother was diagnosed bipolar a few years ago and life has been quite chaotic since. For those who dont know anyone living with bipolar, all I can say is it is a rollercoaster. My mom went from spending the summer travelling all around the country, starting renovation projects, etc. to being bound to her bed with a huge credit card debt and no support. Her recent manic episode left her on terrible terms with nearly every loved one in her life. And now were here. My brother and I have started a schedule where we do meal prep every 3 days. There is currently no running hot water in the house or heat (dont even ask!) so we need to figure that out. I guess the biggest concern is having someone check in on her more than once a day. I have a million questions and a million concerns with no idea as to where to turn to. So im turning here.
Here is my list of concerns/questions, please if you have an answer feel free to let me know!
1. We need someone to warm up her food
2. Is there a professional who can teach her how to navigate around the house and potentially outside?
3. What is the best mobility cane for beginners?
4. What are the best iphone hacks for newly blind?
5. What can she do on her spare time?
6. She is quite mentally distressed. Shes entering her manic depressive state, though she now takes medication for her bipolar disorder she has dealt with suicidal thoughts before. I worry this entire situation puts her at an extreme risk for suicide ideation
7. How do I manage my schooling and life while being there 100% for her?
If you got this far thank you. If you have any words of encouragement, thank you!
Toronto (GTA) - CANADA
About a month ago my (20F) mom (50F) had to be admitted to a hospital far away from home because of a random and sudden eye infection. She was unable to open her eyes without pain for several weeks. A month in, multiple doctors are still not able to properly diagnose what happened or what she is suffering from. This is frustrating in itself as she is not only unable to see at all but experiences migraines and loss of balance as she adjusts to being blind. The doctors are often harsh and must perform biopsies and eye exams every week. the hospital has provided her with a PSW who visits once a day, a social worker, and a person to check safety needs for adjusting the house. Besides that, we are still just absolutely lost with how we can properly support her or make things comfortable. By we I refer to older brother and myself; the sole caregivers of my 50 year old mother. I am currently a full time university student living on my own about an hour away from my mom. My sibling is a parent of 3. We have absolutely no one to rely on other than the occasional helping hand. Im feeling extremely frustrated and defeated by the system in which we find ourselves. I have no resources as to how to even navigate maintaining a 4 bedroom house or looking after my mother.
Life prior to the incident was vastly different. My mother was diagnosed bipolar a few years ago and life has been quite chaotic since. For those who dont know anyone living with bipolar, all I can say is it is a rollercoaster. My mom went from spending the summer travelling all around the country, starting renovation projects, etc. to being bound to her bed with a huge credit card debt and no support. Her recent manic episode left her on terrible terms with nearly every loved one in her life. And now were here. My brother and I have started a schedule where we do meal prep every 3 days. There is currently no running hot water in the house or heat (dont even ask!) so we need to figure that out. I guess the biggest concern is having someone check in on her more than once a day. I have a million questions and a million concerns with no idea as to where to turn to. So im turning here.
Here is my list of concerns/questions, please if you have an answer feel free to let me know!
1. We need someone to warm up her food
2. Is there a professional who can teach her how to navigate around the house and potentially outside?
3. What is the best mobility cane for beginners?
4. What are the best iphone hacks for newly blind?
5. What can she do on her spare time?
6. She is quite mentally distressed. Shes entering her manic depressive state, though she now takes medication for her bipolar disorder she has dealt with suicidal thoughts before. I worry this entire situation puts her at an extreme risk for suicide ideation
7. How do I manage my schooling and life while being there 100% for her?
If you got this far thank you. If you have any words of encouragement, thank you!
bradley22 3 points 1y ago
I live in the UK and was born blind so can't imagine what she's going through.
She'll be able to do nearly anything after a bit of training, yes she might not be able to see but she can still, use the internet, use a smartphone, (android and apple,) watch tv, (ok listen but that sounds wierd to me,) go out with a cain and a bit of training, or she could use uber or a ride service.
I don't know of any websites in Canada but she should be able to buy things like talking microwaves and things like that.
Here's one site but damn is it expencive: https://www.maxiaids.com/talking-microwave-oven
I believe you can get an Alexa Microwave: https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Microwave-Small-Works-Alexa/dp/B07894S727
For that she'll need an Alexa device, they can be very useful for asking for the time, weather, playing audiobooks, radio stations and more.
I hope this helps, as others have said; check out your local canada place for the blind, I don't know what it's called sorry.
She'll be able to do nearly anything after a bit of training, yes she might not be able to see but she can still, use the internet, use a smartphone, (android and apple,) watch tv, (ok listen but that sounds wierd to me,) go out with a cain and a bit of training, or she could use uber or a ride service.
I don't know of any websites in Canada but she should be able to buy things like talking microwaves and things like that.
Here's one site but damn is it expencive: https://www.maxiaids.com/talking-microwave-oven
I believe you can get an Alexa Microwave: https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Microwave-Small-Works-Alexa/dp/B07894S727
For that she'll need an Alexa device, they can be very useful for asking for the time, weather, playing audiobooks, radio stations and more.
I hope this helps, as others have said; check out your local canada place for the blind, I don't know what it's called sorry.
MacaroniGlutenFree 3 points 1y ago
Definitely reach to the CNIB chapter closest to her house. There are a few in the GTA.
Tarnagona 3 points 1y ago
I’d suggest you get in contact with Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada. Their whole thing is helping people adjust to living with vision loss, from independent living skills, to orientation and mobility (navigation and way finding), to assessments for technology and/or sight aids like magnifiers. Unfortunately, your mum is going to have to relearn how to do most daily tasks in a different manner, which can be a lot. But having an independent living or orientation and mobility specialist teach her, it’ll be a lot easier than trying to figure it all out on her own.
You may need a doctor to write a referral for VLRC, but they should be able to tell you what documentation they need.
For iPhone hacks, I recommend turning on VoiceOver, the iPhone screen reader, if she doesn’t have enough sight to see the screen. It’s a bit of a learning curve, as VoiceOver has its own set of gestures, but lets one use most iPhone functions (some apps are not useable with VoiceOver). Apps like SeeingAI can read things like package labels. And if she has some sight, the iPhone has a magnifier using the phone’s camera. I use it often, when I need to look at something because I never have an actual magnifier on me, but I always have my phone.
Oh, and the CNIB Foundation offers peer support programs for those new to vision loss, as well as technology training and social programs, employment support for if/when she feels ready to join the work force, so I’d recommend checking them out, too.
You may need a doctor to write a referral for VLRC, but they should be able to tell you what documentation they need.
For iPhone hacks, I recommend turning on VoiceOver, the iPhone screen reader, if she doesn’t have enough sight to see the screen. It’s a bit of a learning curve, as VoiceOver has its own set of gestures, but lets one use most iPhone functions (some apps are not useable with VoiceOver). Apps like SeeingAI can read things like package labels. And if she has some sight, the iPhone has a magnifier using the phone’s camera. I use it often, when I need to look at something because I never have an actual magnifier on me, but I always have my phone.
Oh, and the CNIB Foundation offers peer support programs for those new to vision loss, as well as technology training and social programs, employment support for if/when she feels ready to join the work force, so I’d recommend checking them out, too.
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