Living with Vision Loss and Blindness
Helpful information for people dealing with vision loss & blindness
Dear Web site reader,
After living with my vision loss for more than two decades, I find myself living my life positively and productively. I am well aware that the irony of me working at a school for blind children, is an amazing part of my story. I was fortunate to have all of the tools and information of how I was going to live my life, right at my fingertips! In order to get to where I am today, however, the healing took time and hard work. I am periodically introduced to someone who has just lost their sight, or has someone in their life whom they are worried about, because of a progressive vision loss. More frequently than not, I find that they simply do not know where to turn. Once the medical diagnosis is given, the sense of loss weaves itself into their life, and the people around them. There is SO much that you or they can do, but… you do need to have some assistance, and you need to know where to turn.
On this page I have accumulated just a few suggestions to hopefully help, and get you going in the search in your community. First, I have also asked a few very special friends to write some words of encouragement about their own experience of vision loss or blindness. I KNOW you will benefit from their insights.
There is no possible way we can give a complete and full list of centers, organizations or ‘help aides’ companies. Touching base with these contacts, however, may just lead you to the perfect fit in YOUR community. I would also suggest that it is important to remember that we ALL are individuals. One technique or type of assistance may work for one person, but not another. There certainly are ways in which living skills just seem to work better for someone who is visually impaired. It would be helpful for you, and your loved ones, to learn as much as possible about those techniques! There is nothing more exciting for the blind individual than when they learn how to continue their favorite leisure activity or professional skill, so as to be able to perform it… independently.
May you each learn and grow with the information below!
Very Sincerely, Joan
Blindness is not the same as death!
When at age 19 I was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosis (RP) and would lose all of my sight in the next few years, I was quite excited. Why? Because, prior to then I had been told by those I trusted that I was mentally retarded. Blindness seemed like a much better deal so rather than go into depression, I began to plan my life around a totally new set of problems that I thought were not only manageable but quite challenging. I decided that I could now handle going to community college where prior to my vision diagnosis I was convinced I had no hope of ever achieving a college degree. I obtained my A.A. degree but with great difficulty. It was then that a college counselor told me about the State Department of Vocational Rehabilitation and suddenly help was available and success was a matter of time. I began digging up all the information I could find regarding assistance for the blind. Now, with an Associate of Arts Degree, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Business Administration and a Doctor of Philosophy and 20 years of college teaching behind me I think I have mastered this blindness nuisance.
What may be holding you back from achieving your goals is lack of faith in your own ability. You do need to take risks. Do not assume that everyone you speak to about your goals will agree with you. Throughout my life, each time I had an idea for my future there was always someone saying “you can’t do that – your blind.” Such comments became fuel for my fire of desire to try it anyway. I have experienced very few failures because I carefully thought out my future plans prior to putting them into operation. Don’t let others prevent you from enjoying your life even though you are blind or losing your sight. If you like to read there are many sources of recorded books. If you like to garden continue to garden. So what if you put the plant in upside down. It won’t be long until you master the art of letting your mind and hands figure out what needs to be done. If you want an education, consider yourself the best judge of your own ability and enroll in a class and put all your energy into proving to yourself you can be a success. Our greatest barrier to life being full even though we are blind is our own inability to recognize the incredible skills and ingenuity we each have when experiencing a life changing situation.
If I had it all to do over again I probably would not chose to be blind but now that I have lived with it for many years it really is not as bad as many might think. Not only do I teach college but I build furniture, bird feeders, wishing wells and as of this writing a concrete podium to put in my backyard garden. Whatever it is you want to do – go ahead and do it. Don’t let yourself or others convince you that because you are blind you are helpless. You will make a few mistakes but so do those who are sighted.
Chuck Wall, Ph.D.
www.kindnessinc.org
~~~
Dear Reader,
You all know how we sometimes get a “mental image” of certain things in life. Let me share one with you…….. Several years ago my friend, Gail, a fellow University of South Dakota graduate, phoned me from her home in Scottsdale and we planned her visit. She would come down to Tucson to stay for a few days and we would attend a fun Halloween event. A few days before she arrived, she phoned again to confirm it all and to ask if I would mind visiting another USD graduate who lives in Tucson; a blind author by the name of Joan Brock. I rather reluctantly said “OK” and even though Gail had provided me with the title of Joan’s book “More Than Meets The Eye” with the thought that I just might read it, I did nothing more to prepare for the meeting.
Now, in my mind’s eye, I pictured a little, gray haired lady sitting out on her back patio sipping tea with her white cane and perhaps a seeing-eye dog beside her. That was my preconceived idea of a “blind” person. So when we knocked on her door, it opened and this vivacious, tall, slim, gorgeous blond said “Hello, I’m Joan”, I must tell you that my chin dropped to the sidewalk. We entered and sat around Joan’s living room as she continued a lively conversation with Gail, Mary Ann (another USD grad) and me. Although, I must confess, for one of the few times in my life I was speechless (my chin was still on the floor, you see). Finally, Joan turned to me & asked me to tell her a bit about myself………which was difficult, because my chin….etc.
What I have come to know about Joan is that she is incredibly self sufficient. Since that first meeting, we have been to lunch on several occasions and after I pick her up, she gives me directions to the restaurant, always unerringly. My husband & I saw Joan speak to a group of insurance agents in Boca Raton, FL (as Bob describes “Not a dry eye in the house”). Once again, the first image one sees is of a very confident, tall, slim blond striding on stage, and then you hear her story.
I am eternally grateful to my friend, Gail, for introducing me to Joan. What I now have is a wonderful, lifelong friend whose company I enjoy so very much……… and oh, by the way, she just happens to be blind.
Judy Bolt, Fellow University of South Dakota graduate and friend
DO YOU WANT A WATCH OR TALKING CLOCK?
I have several clocks around the house. For Braille or talking watches and clocks you can get information and catalogues from the Independent Living Aides Company out of New York. They are very helpful. Their Phone number is 1-800-537-2118 and they are online at http://www.independentliving.com
You also may find adaptive equipment aides at your local Association for the Blind. Check your Google information to find the services in your community.
ARE YOU WONDERING ABOUT NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS? …
Most people are aware that the Lion’s service clubs assist in working with eye care and research. Their work is so valuable nationally, as well as internationally. Check out their web site to learn more…
http://www.lionsclubs.org
The American Foundation for the blind is a wonderful national organization that can lead you to many answers. Visit their web site at http://www.afb.org
DO YOU WANT TO READ A BOOK? …
Library of Congress Talking Book Services
The Talking Book Topics is distributed free, to visually impaired and physically handicapped individuals who participate in the Library of Congress free reading program. It covers news of developments and activities of library services, And list recorded books and magazines available through a national network of cooperating libraries. These recorded, large print and Braille books are thousands of fiction and non-fiction titles including classics, biographies, gothic, mysteries, and how to, and self help guides.To learn more about the wide range of books in the collection, readers may order catalogues and subject bibliographies from cooperating libraries. They are on the web at http://www.loc.gov/nls/ The contact information for these services is …
Publications and Media Section
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
Library of Congress
Washington, D C 20542
1-800-424-8567
Another source of free talking magazines and books is the American Printing House for the Blind. Their website is http://www.aph.org/ They are located in Kentucky and their contact information is 1-800-223-1839 The tape players for these cassettes are special recorders. You can either check out a free machine from a cooperating library, or you can purchase your own ‘walkman-like’ unit from several sources. Again, the Independent Living Aides company, or the American Printing House for the Blind can assist you in that purchase.
ARE YOU WANTING TO MEET WITH SOMEONE TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR DAILY LIFE SKILLS?
It often seems that when your vision is taken away, people feel that you are incapable of the simplest of tasks. From cooking a meal to walking down town and back, independently, Learning the technique is available for you! Your physical capabilities and realistic goals can all be met, but having help from those who are specialists in the field will open that door for you. Almost every community will have access to a state Association for the Blind. Try visiting them online at http://www.nfadb.org/ or looking in the Yellow Pages for that organization that can assign someone to work with you on your goals.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN THE WORLD OF GUIDE DOGS? …
My friend Tom Sullivan is probably the best advocate for talking about guide dogs. Tom wrote a book with Ms. Betty White, with the title of “Leading Lady”. It is the story of his first dog Dina. It is a touching story that educates and fills you with love for the incredible gift that these animals give to the world of the visually impaired and blind. Do try to check out that book.Contact the National Guide Dog Foundation at http://www.guidedog.org
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN RESEARCH OF EYE DISEASES?…
For several years I was on the Board of the Ophthalmology Department at the University of Arizona. The Lions Eye center is one of the top research hospitals in the country and they have a medical staff of research scientists working on new and exciting findings every day. From Glaucoma research to Macular Degeneration, the specialists are making important strides in finding answers to eye diseases. To check out the latest of what is going on there at the research facility visit the department’s web site at www.eyes.arizona.edu
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN THE WORLD OF TALKING COMPUTERS?…
When I first returned to my home town in California, I was introduced to Dr. Wall at the local college. After reading his comments above, you can see how his enthusiasm for life is infectious! He asked me to assist in a class that was being offered at the college. It was a class in talking computers for the blind. There I began my limited capabilities of using a computer. It truly opened up a world that has taken me to places I never thought possible.
There are endless opportunities for you once you have learned the skills of using the programs and technology available. Try checking with your local association or college.
ARE YOU A STUDENT AND NEED A BOOK RECORDED? …
Recording for the Blind is located in the New Jersey area and they are an organization that does text books and educational materials. If there is a good that you need, and it is not recorded, they can do that for you! Visit them online at http://www.rfbdnj.org/ or give them a call at
1-800-221-4792
