Do you let your disability get in the way of your life?
 

First of all, I would like to kind-of-sort-of proudly say, I'm blind.

Well, legally blind.

I was born with this disability. It made me a really shy person because I was scared that people would judge me for looking different (I was on steroids and immunosupressives my whole childhood because of cornea transplants), acting different (looking at things funny, having to have special machines like a monocular or a magnifier to help me see things) or just in general. And yeah, I did get made fun of. A lot. This made me even more paranoid as I grew older, and started becoming depressed (it doesn't help that my family situation is messed up as well).

Right now, I have vision that's known to be 20/400. This means whatever someone with regular 20/20 vision can see from 400 feet away, I can only see from 20 feet away. I don't use a cane (but i do own a ID cane that I use in busy cities) and I don't have a guide dog (sadly! I love dogs :)), but it still affects me. I can't drive a car. I never got to learn to ride a bike. I get lost in new places pretty easily - which makes me anxious about going out places on my own.

I'm slowly starting to come to with these issues. In my head, I rationalize. Yeah, it sucks I can't drive. But think of all the money I'm saving on insurance and gas (I get free bus tickets). But the going places without getting lost is a big thing still. I'm trying to push myself little by little, maybe making someone take me somewhere and once or twice and then remember the route, or looking up the busses I need to take.

Anyways, in a way, it is sort of a gift. I got to meet many different people and have had lots of different experiences because of it (special blind and visually impaired camps and outings, scholarships, etc). I get academic accommodations for computer versions of my textbooks and exams. But that's mostly it. I try very hard to not let my disability come in my way. Sure, it makes me anxious still, but I am trying to push myself and still be like everyone else.

The main point of this little rant is: If I can do this, so can you. We all face challenges in our lives, either they are physically, sensory or mental, they still affect us. You can't let this run your life. It doesn't define you, it is only a piece of the whole picture. Don't let it run your life.

Ok. Done now. :) Tell me your stories if you'd like! And if you questions, feel free. :)

Re: Do you let your disability get in the way of your life?
 

Hi Mila! :)

Hahaha, I agree with you there, took a while to get to that rationale about driving but I'm glad I got there too. :D
Welcome to TH by the way. :)
I struggled with a lot of what you mentioned while growing up, not fitting in, having to use special technology etc. I ended up being rather depressed to due to not having any friends really, being rejected by people (them making plans and canceling or writing what they were talking about during lunch so I couldn't know etc) and also due to some things in my childhood (probably main reason for my depression.)
I agree that the camps and programs for the blind during the summer really were helpful in assisting me with becoming a stronger person and they definitely helped with feeling less alone. Also the scholarships and other ways to connect with people that are legally blind aare very helpful too.
I am really glad you get to experience bus routes and having people bring you places a couple of times and then figuring out the routes yourself, that is really great determination and will only make you more comfortable as time goes on. I am hoping to one day live in an area where I can use busses but currently my college campus meets all of my needs practically and where I live is so rural there is not any public transportation (except the bus that goes like once a day.)
I use a cane and I recently have begun the application process for a guide dog so if you are interested in applying, I can let you know of some schools and about the process: you can PM or VM me if you want.
Also, I do not find what you wrote to be a rant. :) It is inspiring and I am glad you were open to sharing your story and listening to others. :)

Re: Do you let your disability get in the way of your life?
 

Hey! Yay, I get really excited when i meet other blind people, hahaha, I know it probably sounds weird :)

Thanks for telling me your story! I understand completely, lol. I used to be called the "crazy eye girl" in middle school (a side affect of my condition is nystagmus, which means my eyes move constantly). And the friends I had would usually try do things to confuse me because I couldn't see what they were doing, just so they'd laugh.

This might seem weird or creepy, but did you ever go to/heard of SCIVIS (Space camp) in Alabama? I went a few years ago and loved it a lot and that's where I actually started to fully accept myself. Then, I started branching out from there. I'm a Canadian so most of the things I've participated in are through the CNIB.

And yeah, the busses thing is something I always had a kind of fear of. I'm looking into getting an O&M instructor when I move in the summer. But you're lucky that your campus has everything (mine does too, its like a ten minute bus ride out of the city, except it can kind of get inconvenient when you need something or are hungry and every things closed, lol).

And thats awesome you're getting a guide dog Something else they have now is miniature guide ponies, they're meant for rural areas. I think they're really cool, lol, but I hear they are very expensive. But I wish you luck in the process :) I have a friend who went to the California school last year, and I have another friend who is applying to get one, but I don't know where she will be going yet. I really think it would be cool to have one, but I don't think my vision has gotten to that point of needing one much yet. One of my corneas is failing tough, so we might just have to see.

Re: Do you let your disability get in the way of your life?
 

Haha, I do too. :D It is not weird.
I have nystagmus too.
I've heard of space camp but I've never been, sounds cool though. :)
I've done a lot of outdoor camps (hiking, repelling, swimming etc.)
I kind of fear busses too, I do not have enough practice with them to be very comfortable or comfortable at all really. I havent been on a bus in like a year....
I hope the process goes well for your friend and it is cool you know someone else with a guide dog; I know other people too that have them and they are great to talk to about what life is like with one etc.
I've heard very little about the minature horses and they are not an animal I would apply to receive. I love horses but I wouldn't want one if I had to travel to busy places and how would bringing them into places work? I believe people are more used to guide dogs (which would be stereotypical because when people think of blind people they either think of a guide dog or a cane) so bringing a horse might cause some conflict or resistance. Plus leaving them outside would be counter-productive to them being a guide. Maybe there is more to this than I know...I wouldn't doubt it.

Re: Do you let your disability get in the way of your life?
 

Yay, lol. :) My condition is Aniridia. So I've had a bunch of transplants (even the artificial cornea), stem cells, cataracts, blablabla, lol.

And yeah, I've heard of those types of camps and been to a few, sounds like fun :)

And yeah, I only go on them when I really need something off campus, like a prescription, or an appointment, or something...But I'm moving to a really big city in a month so I am going to have to get a lot of practice then with busses and subways, haha.

Yeah, I've participated in Goalball so I have met lots of people with guide dogs. :) Its fun to meet them and talk to their owners. I love animals. And yeah, the pony thing is kind of unrealistic unless you lived in a very small town your whole life, but I just find it kind of cool, aha.

Re: Do you let your disability get in the way of your life?
 

Oh wow, none of that is available for my condition, they are getting close but they've still got a ways to go...
Hopefully your move to the city goes well. :)
I haven't played goal ball in years, there is no team near where I live and not enough people with visual impairments to make a team. I'd like to find a team though one day.
I agree it is a cool idea, the pony will probably be useful for some people.

Re: Do you let your disability get in the way of your life?
 

I think the attitude you have toward your disability is very commendable. It's great that you're willing to keep moving forward despite the difficulties you've faced. :)

As for me, I try not to let my disability run my life, but sometimes that can be difficult. I have a seizure disorder that appeared out of nowhere when I started high school. The doctors say I don't have epilepsy, I just have random seizures. I've been put on several different kinds of seizure medication, but so far none has worked. Some medicine I took in the past, along with some medicine I'm taking now, has made my hair start falling out. I'm lucky I had really thick hair beforehand, or else I'd barely have hair at all. It's gotten so thin, and it breaks easily.

My seizures also cause injuries; I tend to bite down very hard on my lip (you're unconscious during a seizure) to the point that I bust my lip open and have a difficult time eating. I could also easily fall and hit something when I start having one, it's happened several times before and once I even had to get stitches. I'm also 19 years old and can't drive, because I could have a seizure. I have to be at least one year seizure free before I can try to get a permit. I also can't get a job, not only because I'm a liability and nobody wants to hire me, but because no matter what job I try to find, it would be extremely easy for me to get hurt very badly from a seizure. Waitress? Nope. Fast food worker? Nope. Wal mart? Even there, nope.

However, I do try to look at the bright side of things and I continue to hope that someday, the doctors will discover why the medicine I have to take doesn't work, and be able to rid me of my seizures.

Re: Do you let your disability get in the way of your life?
 

Hey Haru :)
it's great that you are trying your best to come to terms with you disability. I know that it's especially hard to do that when your brand new to it (like for me, I was born with it, so its pretty much normal, but for people who just get it out of the blue, it can be more challenging/scary). I understand that it must be hard that you can't drive or get a job -- cause you've had those plans your whole life, and now it kind of just toppled down for you when this seizure disorder started. So yeah, it can make a big impact on your life. But all you can do is look forward and hope for the future :)

& hey, about the hair thing. I completely understand. The meds that I was only my shoe life made my hair super thin (I literally had bald spots at the end of elementary/beginning of junior high school, and I was so insecure that I wore wigs). My hair's starting to slowly grow back now. Its still thin, but not as bad as before. I have lots of tips to make your hair thicker and for it to grow. if you want them, feel free to message me :)

Anyways,l I hope they find out what's wrong a come up with a cure. :) talk soon!

Re: Do you let your disability get in the way of your life?
 

Re: Do you let your disability get in the way of your life?
 

Re: Do you let your disability get in the way of your life?
 

Haru and Lottie, you both inspire me. I've lived with my disability my whole life so I do not know what it is like to have just lost my sight or any other sense. I also love what you mentioned at the end of your post. "I say life is what you make it. You can either sit back and let life rule you or you can get up and rule life. " Well-spoken. :)
I definitely agree with you Corrina. I do not believe I would have the views I have about the world and see people how I see them if I could see. I would end up judging people for how they look, not who they are on the inside probably as do many people with sight. I am more about getting to know people and interested in them as a person way more than what they are wearing and how they look.

Re: Do you let your disability get in the way of your life?
 

Re: Do you let your disability get in the way of your life?
 

Re: Do you let your disability get in the way of your life?
 

Re: Do you let your disability get in the way of your life?
 

Re: Do you let your disability get in the way of your life?
 

Sometimes I do, although I try not to.

I have Fibromyalgia, a muscular skeletal disorder. There are days when my body is all bruised and discolored that I don't leave my bed. Some days I can't even move certain joints. I'm happy to say that I'm currently in remission :)

Sometimes I let my Asperger's get in the way. I have a huge problem with communication face to face, so I just stay quiet most of the time. I sometimes get so nervous to the point where I shake. Other times, when I get flashbacks, I tend to freak out.

Other than that, I try my hardest to go on everyday without letting my disabilities get in my way.

Re: Do you let your disability get in the way of your life?
 

Hi,

I know this question was directed towards Mila most likely, but I thought I would give an answer.
It is definitely possible to get a job even if someone is legally blind or completely blind.
I know adults that are blind that are working, married and have children. Being legally blind does not limit a person much, a lot of what someone can do while being legally blind is affected by their self-esteem and confidence in what they can do or cannot do (in their opinion). People who cannot see or who cannot see much, can do many things and be extremely successful if they apply themselves, are connected to resources/agencies that can help them and if they have positive supports, that helps with them being able to succeed at any goals they would like to accomplish: such as getting a job.
There are work experience programs that are specific for the blind so that we can learn skills and get training in how to write resumes etc.
Also, if in the United States, it is possible to receive disability while having a job if you are blind so long as the person is making under a certain amount of income: Social Security Administration.
It is definitely possible for your friend to work if she gets the proper training she may need (technology skills etc.) and if she is connected to someone through her states commission for the Blind (or similar organization).
If you are not in the US, this may not apply. I only know how things work here.
Hopefully this is helpful and if you ever need anything, you can PM me and I will be glad to help. :)

Re: Do you let your disability get in the way of your life?