Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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low vision but gaining more independence (self.Blind)
submitted by etatql
hi! i'm low vision and im turning 18 soon and therefore i'll be entering a stage of my life where i have more independence and start doing more on my own.
my issue is that i cant see very well at night and i also don't have depth perception (amongst a lot of other issues but i think those are the most pressing for this specific matter). going on walks and walking around during the day is an okay experience, i have some struggle here and there with depth, light sensitivity, and not being able to see anything at all bc of glare, but at night it feels downright dangerous for me to walk around. my area is not very well lit once you leave the complex, either. not to mention i cant rly see ice very well (even worse at night) and that makes it scarier than it already is during the winter.
i was looking into ways i could help myself and i realized that a cane could help. unfortunately, i keep talking myself out of it and cant escape the mindset that im not "disabled enough" to need aids. i also have the worry that it wouldnt even help me, even though logically i feel like it should if used as intended. if anyone has any input on whether a guide cane could be useful for my situation so i can feel better (and be safer) about going out on my own (or if you have other ideas!) that'd be great :D thank u! (**also im new to the subreddit aka just found it so let me know if i was supposed to put this in like a question thread or if i need to add a different flair or something <3**)
my issue is that i cant see very well at night and i also don't have depth perception (amongst a lot of other issues but i think those are the most pressing for this specific matter). going on walks and walking around during the day is an okay experience, i have some struggle here and there with depth, light sensitivity, and not being able to see anything at all bc of glare, but at night it feels downright dangerous for me to walk around. my area is not very well lit once you leave the complex, either. not to mention i cant rly see ice very well (even worse at night) and that makes it scarier than it already is during the winter.
i was looking into ways i could help myself and i realized that a cane could help. unfortunately, i keep talking myself out of it and cant escape the mindset that im not "disabled enough" to need aids. i also have the worry that it wouldnt even help me, even though logically i feel like it should if used as intended. if anyone has any input on whether a guide cane could be useful for my situation so i can feel better (and be safer) about going out on my own (or if you have other ideas!) that'd be great :D thank u! (**also im new to the subreddit aka just found it so let me know if i was supposed to put this in like a question thread or if i need to add a different flair or something <3**)
Its0nlyAPaperMoon 3 points 1y ago
Have you seen a low vision specialist yet? This is an optometrist who will give you a thorough exam to find your struggle points and knows about all the latest tools, special glasses etc, to maximize the vision that you do have. And usually can also refer you to orientation and mobility training. $1
BooksDogsMaps 3 points 1y ago
Agreed. An O&M instructor is able to provide guidance on how to correctly use a cane and provide techniques for safe travel in general.
etatql [OP] 2 points 1y ago
im not sure. i think i may have several years ago around 4th grade (so like 8 yrs ago)? that was when i started getting my accommodations and tools for school and whatnot (like a screen magnifier for the computer lab, an ipad for reading and doing assignments, that type of thing) and found out exactly what was going on from the woman who coordinated my accommodations and took me out of class for vision tests or teaching me something but i didnt retain much of the specifics she gave since i was like 9 or 10. it was all more to accommodate me at school i think and my biggest problem in school was using the stairs but i had elevator access bc of that so i did have accommodations so problem solved. i am no longer in school and go places alone now, though so i need more than the elevator. i have a contact at the school for the blind in my area (they got me my textbooks and stuff). would that be a good place to start?
Its0nlyAPaperMoon 2 points 1y ago
I definitely think you'd benefit from having somebody show you safe ways to navigate, now. Also, technology has advanced. in the last 10 years. Glare-reducing and prism glasses are more common and easier to get nowadays. They may be other tools you don't know about yet.
TechnicalPragmatist 1 points 1y ago
It is probably useful to work with someone like this again. Try to find a low vision specialist suggested and linked to on here.
TechnicalPragmatist 1 points 1y ago
That’s great you do want more independence. I think if you struggle and need it yes you can get a cane. You can’t be too sighted for one. Don’t be ashamed of it. You’re disabled enough if you’re not a sighted person who want to fake being blind or acquire a cane just for fun, I think it’s valid. Don’t talk yourself out of it. It will help you for sure.
If you can’t see at night then a cane will be super important and it will help you also judge depth in the day time and what’s in front of you.
Also get some orientation and mobility cane training, that will also help.
If you can’t see at night then a cane will be super important and it will help you also judge depth in the day time and what’s in front of you.
Also get some orientation and mobility cane training, that will also help.
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