Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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UPDATE + Success Story (self.Blind)
submitted by namenerd400
Hello!
Long time no post. I posted here in February asking y'all if I should use a cane even though I have a minor visual impairment. Here is a link to the post:
$1
Well, A LOT has changed since then. I have moved from where I lived previously with my mom to now living with my dad. When I arrived, he got me set up with the state Department of Services for the Blind (Referred to as DSB from now on for simplicity). I first met up with a counselor, who, when I told her my story, she offered at least a dozen services that I didn't even know I needed! Those services meant I was set up with multiple amazing women who have helped me immensely! Including someone for O&M, Assistive Technology, and others!
Through DSB, I have received payment for community college, help with transportation funds to and from school (since my school is about 45 minutes away with traffic), a desk setup for my bedroom including any accommodations that would help me be successful! I also got in touch with disability services at my school and got an accommodation letter sent out to all of my professors. I am also starting to use a cane which has been a whole new ball game since im almost 19 and have never used one before. Lastly, due to my O&M instructor introducing us to one another at the beginning of the semester, I made a friend who is also visually impaired!
I wanted to post this for anyone with a visual impairment whether it be severe or minor. Also, for any parent or guardian who doesn't feel as though their child is getting the resources they need to succeed! Keep looking, hoping, and praying for the future! Some states in the US have heavier rules than others and require kids to be legally blind in order to get any substantial assistance, but if you, or your parent advocate and help everyone to realize that vision doesn't just consist of the vision in the better eye, you may be able to get assistance that you didn't know you needed but will become extremely helpful in the long run for your independence! Due to hard work on my part as well as the amazing generosity of the people through DSB I am about to end off my first semester of college with a 3.6 GPA! This is after graduating high school with a 1.6.
Long time no post. I posted here in February asking y'all if I should use a cane even though I have a minor visual impairment. Here is a link to the post:
$1
Well, A LOT has changed since then. I have moved from where I lived previously with my mom to now living with my dad. When I arrived, he got me set up with the state Department of Services for the Blind (Referred to as DSB from now on for simplicity). I first met up with a counselor, who, when I told her my story, she offered at least a dozen services that I didn't even know I needed! Those services meant I was set up with multiple amazing women who have helped me immensely! Including someone for O&M, Assistive Technology, and others!
Through DSB, I have received payment for community college, help with transportation funds to and from school (since my school is about 45 minutes away with traffic), a desk setup for my bedroom including any accommodations that would help me be successful! I also got in touch with disability services at my school and got an accommodation letter sent out to all of my professors. I am also starting to use a cane which has been a whole new ball game since im almost 19 and have never used one before. Lastly, due to my O&M instructor introducing us to one another at the beginning of the semester, I made a friend who is also visually impaired!
I wanted to post this for anyone with a visual impairment whether it be severe or minor. Also, for any parent or guardian who doesn't feel as though their child is getting the resources they need to succeed! Keep looking, hoping, and praying for the future! Some states in the US have heavier rules than others and require kids to be legally blind in order to get any substantial assistance, but if you, or your parent advocate and help everyone to realize that vision doesn't just consist of the vision in the better eye, you may be able to get assistance that you didn't know you needed but will become extremely helpful in the long run for your independence! Due to hard work on my part as well as the amazing generosity of the people through DSB I am about to end off my first semester of college with a 3.6 GPA! This is after graduating high school with a 1.6.
UpsideDownwardSpiral 9 points 1y ago
This whole post is awesome, I wish I could upvote it more. Good for you. I personally had no idea how many services and tools (through the states especially) that are available, and didn't realize until I was put in touch with my state's vocational rehab/VI services after losing vision. I'm still pretty astounded when I stop and think about it that these things are available for me (and others).
Great work in school and good luck going forward!
Great work in school and good luck going forward!
tasareinspace 8 points 1y ago
dude! This is great to hear! I remember your previous post (and I checked to see if I commented on it, I had, and I am so glad you followed the advice myself and other commenters left!).
I totally understand it's hard to dive into cane use as an "adult" but having a teenaged son (in my previous comments I referred to him as my daughter but he has told me otherwise since your last post almost a year ago!) and from every other blind kid I've met, you probably would have resisted using it until you were mature enough to anyway. Its amazing how much difference having the resources that you need have improved your school performance! I know grades arent everything but you ought to be so proud of yourself.
You're doing an amazing job!
I totally understand it's hard to dive into cane use as an "adult" but having a teenaged son (in my previous comments I referred to him as my daughter but he has told me otherwise since your last post almost a year ago!) and from every other blind kid I've met, you probably would have resisted using it until you were mature enough to anyway. Its amazing how much difference having the resources that you need have improved your school performance! I know grades arent everything but you ought to be so proud of yourself.
You're doing an amazing job!
namenerd400 [OP] 5 points 1y ago
Thank you!
Yeah, the cane is a recent addition as I just got it a week ago. I knew I needed to start using it after an incident coming out of church a few weeks back where I was out with people who didnt know me well and ended up falling down a step into the parking lot (Resulting in some scrapes on my knees, not much else luckily). My vision isnt going to be getting any better or worse any time soon but I emphasized to my O&M instructor the importance of using it when I am with people so they know I cant see and so that I can easily engage in conversation with them and keep an eye on where I am rather than looking at the ground while walking.
Yeah, the cane is a recent addition as I just got it a week ago. I knew I needed to start using it after an incident coming out of church a few weeks back where I was out with people who didnt know me well and ended up falling down a step into the parking lot (Resulting in some scrapes on my knees, not much else luckily). My vision isnt going to be getting any better or worse any time soon but I emphasized to my O&M instructor the importance of using it when I am with people so they know I cant see and so that I can easily engage in conversation with them and keep an eye on where I am rather than looking at the ground while walking.
tasareinspace 3 points 1y ago
I am so, so happy for you.
xmachinaxxx 4 points 1y ago
I’m very happy that you’re receiving the support you need and it sounds like you’re on the path to success! Good luck in all you want to accomplish!
Beneficial-Durian-44 3 points 1y ago
Ayeeeee that's amazing congrats !!! You keep up the good work friend
carolineecouture 3 points 1y ago
That is so wonderful OP! I'm so glad you found assistance to make you more successful. I'm proud of you! Your advocacy for yourself will definitely help others. Good luck!
CupcakeFlower76 2 points 1y ago
Your story is so inspiring!!!! I’m so happy for you. See what happens when you stop being in denial of what your going through? You start getting help and things improve for the better!!
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