Going Blind

[genrex]

His blindness is being caused by diabetic retinopathy.

Laser photocoagulation is a procedure to preserve the vision that he still has, but he has already tried that, and it didn't work (see below).

Dammit....

__

[WolfeMacleod]

Wishing you the best as well. I know a few people that are blind.

[livi]

Sorry to hear this. Best wishes.

[Crowbob]

Sorry to read about this.

Tweez and Lubey are quite correct about others not being sympathetic or otherwise indifferent to your impairment. That is something you will have to learn to deal with. But first, you must realize you cannot hold their indifference against them. The truth of the matter is that your impairment is your problem, not theirs.

For perspective, imagine someone with progressive, irrestorative hearing loss. It has been noted that loss of hearing is more traumatic and disruptive than loss of vision. Vision loss separates you from things, hearing loss separates you from people.

A person with vision loss does elicit tremendous empathy and assistance from people while carrying on normal daily activities. People are naturally helpful once they realize visual limitations which are fairly obvious.

Hearing loss is invisible to people (no pun intended). Understandably, people simply cannot comprehend, unless you tell them, sometimes repeatedly that you cannot communicate with them the 'normal' way, not on the telephone, the radio, or in the dark, or in noisy environments, or at a distance, or when more than one person is talking, or with children who have not acquired mature speech, in groups and crowds, soft-spoken people, people with very rapid speech, or when they are not directly facing you.

Hearing-imparied people (particularly hearing loss acquired late in life) lose the joys of music, of wildlife and the voices of loved ones.

Visual memory in most people is more durable than auditory memory. In most people, the ability to recall visual images, sights, faces and colors, etc. is maintained. Auditory memories are often times more fragile, they decay more rapidly.

Your life will gradually transform from Visual to Auditory just as the lives of people with progressive hearing loss change from auditory to visual. The shift from Visual to Auditory is easier than vice versa, believe it or not, so they say. The shift from A to V involves a tragic progression to social isolation.

Visually-imparied people can and do learn braille and so can still 'read', just as hearing-impaired can learn sign-language. However, how many people without hearing loss will take the time to learn sign-language just for you?

As with any loss, acceptance is an absolutely mandatory process. However, the acceptance of loss is one thing, the acceptance of something additive is quite another. For example, many people acquire some kind of uncontrollable or partially controllable chronic pain syndrome such as low back pain, neuropathy, migraines, etc. Unfortunately, with hearing loss, not only must a person deal effectively with the loss of hearing not infrequently (actually quite commonly) they must also deal with accepting variable degrees of chronic, unrelenting and supremely annoying tinnitus.

My point is not to dismiss the severity of your impairment or the consequences therefrom. My points are to demonstrate and express my deeply felt empathy for your loss and to prepare you for a challenge that you, perhaps alone, must rise to overcome.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Instrument 41

Long story short, I am going blind. So I have some questions.....

Wow, I have nothing to offer as others with profound experiences and advice will continue to reply. I offer condolences, and a "what I would" do. Can't imagine you're not a dog person from reading your posts over the years, but if you're not then I can sum up my .02 in four words: Labrador retriever guide dog. Good luck...you're more than up to the challenges you face....be well, you've got a lot of folks pulling for you!

[Instrument 41]

Thanks for all the insights, no pun intended!. Anyway a few points. I don't want sympathy I just want to be able to provide for my family. Regarding the laser treatments, been there done that, and even had a vitrectomy (look it up on You Tube) and it did not work, left eye. Yesterday mid day my right eye started leaking really bad. I know its now inevitable. regarding my job I drive a lot and make numerous visits to chemical plants, so a change is coming there. just holding out as long as I can till I tell my employer.

[gatotom]

Just finished a wonderful book, Touch the top of the world by Erik Weihenmayer

A blind man's journey to climb farther than the eye can see

This man went totally blind at 13 yo and now teaches school and in his spare time climbs mountains, amazing story.

[9dreizig]

Sorry to hear this Inst.. but as an outside sales guy you should know inside sales guys are tough to find (good ones anyway) I'm sure with the right company they will recognize your value. I agree with others with the technology today you should be able to be a contributing member to a company and provide for your family.. good luck

[Cajundaddy]

Inst,

You are facing a pretty tough personal challenge and I wish you the best. I can offer no guidance as you navigate this path but know that you do have very real choices and quality of life ahead. I am guessing that you have lived with diabetes for most of your life and have managed it well up to now. One day at a time...

[Instrument 41]

Went to my Retina doc today. Found that the issue with my bad eye is that there is significant lack of blood flow. Working on trying to make that better. On the "good" eye my suspicions were confirmed, as the same problem the bad eye before surgery. I am having vessels bleeding that are actually coming off the optic nerve. A wicked laser treatment was done today so in 2 weeks I'll know the outcome. Thanks for the well wishes. May be time to start doing and seeing things that I have wanted to do....

[mikester]

Originally Posted by gatotom

Just finished a wonderful book, Touch the top of the world by Erik Weihenmayer

A blind man's journey to climb farther than the eye can see

This man went totally blind at 13 yo and now teaches school and in his spare time climbs mountains, amazing story.

He's also a very good motivational speaker - my company paid him to come to our sales conference this year and there wasn't a dry eye in the house.