Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Whine: Eyes worse, Husband in Denial. (self.Blind)
submitted by Littlebiggran
Thought I was doing okay.
My AMD went bad suddenly last summer. Been getting eye shots. One improved my eyes a little. The rest did not. I am rather down. Trapped at home in snow. Husband still goes to work (he could retire he's over 65) and is shocked the disorganized house prevents me from finding things and doing things. Our grandkids lives with us. The two of them throw everything on flat surfaces, I can never find anything. They get mad when I can't see an object right in front of me.
I have asked for help organizing at least my belongings and my writings that I can no longer read or edit. They keep acting like my blindness is bs, an inconvenience to the.
I went to an independence center once and the woman specializing in blind technology quit and moved toTN.
There are so many blind organizations. The AFB. The Lighthouse, The NYS Commission for the Blind, low vision doctors, my retina specialists. Plus Seva Foundation, Helen Keller International, Foundation Fighting Blindness, Yada Yada.
I guess I have to be declared legally blind first but I feel like hoping the shots might work someday. I am so depressed, so unsupported, and unsure where to start. Why are there so many piecemeal organizations for the Blind? Where do I start. What are the steps.
My AMD went bad suddenly last summer. Been getting eye shots. One improved my eyes a little. The rest did not. I am rather down. Trapped at home in snow. Husband still goes to work (he could retire he's over 65) and is shocked the disorganized house prevents me from finding things and doing things. Our grandkids lives with us. The two of them throw everything on flat surfaces, I can never find anything. They get mad when I can't see an object right in front of me.
I have asked for help organizing at least my belongings and my writings that I can no longer read or edit. They keep acting like my blindness is bs, an inconvenience to the.
I went to an independence center once and the woman specializing in blind technology quit and moved toTN.
There are so many blind organizations. The AFB. The Lighthouse, The NYS Commission for the Blind, low vision doctors, my retina specialists. Plus Seva Foundation, Helen Keller International, Foundation Fighting Blindness, Yada Yada.
I guess I have to be declared legally blind first but I feel like hoping the shots might work someday. I am so depressed, so unsupported, and unsure where to start. Why are there so many piecemeal organizations for the Blind? Where do I start. What are the steps.
Drop9Reddit 6 points 1y ago
I would recommend you and your husband look at couples counselling as regardless of your vision loss situation you need to be able to work as a team and have a supportive partner rather then someone adding stress to the situation.
letspaintthesky 5 points 1y ago
I don't know about America, but in Australia, you don't have to be legally anything to get help through an organisation. Maybe you could talk to someone at one of them and just say 'I have AMD, and I'm struggling.'
I would pick the physically closest organisation and start there.
In the off-chance they DO require legal blindness, they'll also know where else they can send you to that can help.
Good luck!
P.S I know what it's like to be considered an inconvenience and a pain in the ass. Try to remind yourself that it's their problem, not yours. Easier said than done, I know.
I would pick the physically closest organisation and start there.
In the off-chance they DO require legal blindness, they'll also know where else they can send you to that can help.
Good luck!
P.S I know what it's like to be considered an inconvenience and a pain in the ass. Try to remind yourself that it's their problem, not yours. Easier said than done, I know.
Littlebiggran [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Thank you for your kind words.
NeuroticNomad 5 points 1y ago
If you have medical insurance, look for an in-network Social Worker.
Unlike in the movies where social workers seem like the adult version of Child Protective Services and only show up to make your life worse -- in real life Social workers have more in common with therapists, psychiatrists, and other councilors. They require education and licensing and they are here to help you deal with your emotions and to connect you with the communities and services in your area that are appropriate to your situation.
Look for one of these:
* Licensed master social worker (LMSW) ,
* Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), or
* Licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW)
...and keep coming back here to talk with people who understand your fears and frustrations.
Unlike in the movies where social workers seem like the adult version of Child Protective Services and only show up to make your life worse -- in real life Social workers have more in common with therapists, psychiatrists, and other councilors. They require education and licensing and they are here to help you deal with your emotions and to connect you with the communities and services in your area that are appropriate to your situation.
Look for one of these:
* Licensed master social worker (LMSW) ,
* Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), or
* Licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW)
...and keep coming back here to talk with people who understand your fears and frustrations.
Littlebiggran [OP] 3 points 1y ago
Thank you. Just knowing some of you go through stuff like this.
NeuroticNomad 3 points 1y ago
Checking in on you -- how are you doing today?
Littlebiggran [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Okay. It amazes me how slowly people call or email back. Tonight my husband drove me to a couple errands.
I get so frustrated with his inability to understand that I can't "hurry up". I want to browse, consider, think -- like everyone else.
I sometimes wish there was a place only blind people lived... and maybe a few engineers who realize one solution doesn't fit all.
Edit: tomorrow I will try to call my doctor again to give me that piece of paper declaring me vision- impaired or legally blind.
So many offices don't have the hours they used to or are too busy.
I get so frustrated with his inability to understand that I can't "hurry up". I want to browse, consider, think -- like everyone else.
I sometimes wish there was a place only blind people lived... and maybe a few engineers who realize one solution doesn't fit all.
Edit: tomorrow I will try to call my doctor again to give me that piece of paper declaring me vision- impaired or legally blind.
So many offices don't have the hours they used to or are too busy.
NeuroticNomad 2 points 1y ago
Change is hard and denial is natural. I hope, for the both of you, that he learns sooner rather than later that things have changed and that it's time to adapt.
HeftyCryptographer21 4 points 1y ago
I would go outside. I know it is difficult and tiring, but assuming you don't have any health conditions I would just go outside and try to walk around the block. It is difficult especially in the snow, but the sense of exhilaration that you feel when you are done makes it way easier to get through the rest of the day.
AllHarlowsEve 2 points 1y ago
Do you know if you're legally blind? Like, were you given any numbers for your vision, like 20:200?
Littlebiggran [OP] 1 points 1y ago
The last eye test I couldn't see anything except maybe the biggest letter.
AllHarlowsEve 2 points 1y ago
That sounds like legally blind, but I'm not sure if you need a declaration from an eye doctor to get services from your state agency for the blind. It's definitely worth contacting them, whether calling or emailing, because they can be incredibly helpful.
TechnicalPragmatist 1 points 1y ago
Definitely doesn’t sound easy. Sorry your family doesn’t understand and is making your life miserable and don’t try to undrestand you.
Many organizations exist because fortunately many people understand and want to help the blind and visually impaired.
If you can get a doctor to write you a note certifying your legally blind you can get all sorts of services. To learn how to live independently as a blind person, to learn the skills and how to adapt things and do it the blind way, to learn to use a cane, and to learn to use assistive technology.
Contact those organazations and see what services each can offer you.
The state may be able to help but I would still reach out to those other organizations.
Snow is hard for a lot of blind people.
Many organizations exist because fortunately many people understand and want to help the blind and visually impaired.
If you can get a doctor to write you a note certifying your legally blind you can get all sorts of services. To learn how to live independently as a blind person, to learn the skills and how to adapt things and do it the blind way, to learn to use a cane, and to learn to use assistive technology.
Contact those organazations and see what services each can offer you.
The state may be able to help but I would still reach out to those other organizations.
Snow is hard for a lot of blind people.
Littlebiggran [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Thank you. I finally got my "blind card" from New York State in the mail a couple weeks ago. I supposedly have someone trying to set things up for me. We shall see.
Edit: my original post was three months ago, so that gives you an idea of the speed. Lol.
Edit: my original post was three months ago, so that gives you an idea of the speed. Lol.
TechnicalPragmatist 1 points 1y ago
Yeah, it is very slow I would say be proactive don’t just wait ask about it and if you can find places or do stuff do it. Look at local organizations and how they can help you.
Its0nlyAPaperMoon 1 points 1y ago
It might help to bring the grandkids to your doctor's appointment. Have the doctor tell the grandkids directly what exactly is the extent to which your eyes can read. They may be shocked. $1
It does appear that you need a "legally blind" designation to get services from $1 and have your doctor send medical reports to them.
Vocation Rehabilitation could send someone to your home to consult on where additional lighting might help, a home organization system, etc.
It does appear that you need a "legally blind" designation to get services from $1 and have your doctor send medical reports to them.
Vocation Rehabilitation could send someone to your home to consult on where additional lighting might help, a home organization system, etc.
Littlebiggran [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Thank you so much for this information. I will try to do all of this.
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