I found out last week that I am classified as legally blind. I have actually been legally blind for some time but did not know.
I think I knew in the back of mind that I was, after all I can only read the big letter on the eye chart and if I don't have glasses on the world is a foggy blur, yet I wasn't ready to actually KNOW I was legally blind. I phoned my optometrist to find out my sight and it is 6/60 (20/200).
It's crazy to think I am "legally blind" as I live my life almost as if I would if I had perfect vision. I have a job in a hospital, I'm studying a masters degree and I like to think I can appreciate nature around me. It made me realise that I, like so many other people, had the perception that if you are blind, you see nothing and you struggle in basic daily activities. How wrong that is!
It is actually quite amazing how much I have subconsciously adapted to my condition. It took a few years for my diagnosis and I probably had the condition way before that. I think because I didn't know what was wrong I found ways to do everything, like read by using my peripheral. I wasn't even aware that I was doing it! It does cause me strain and I have constant headaches but I will find a way to rid myself of them!
Just because I am legally blind doesn't mean I'm giving up on what I want in life, I just have to find a different way to get to it.
I really appreciated this post. I'm only four months into my diagnosis, and I've been having a hard time coming to terms with the idea of going "legally blind." Reading this post gave me hope that maybe life won't be too different than it is now. Which would be awesome.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I could help. I think the biggest thing is the perception of "legally blind" is not being able to see anything, but really it's a whole spectrum of sight. :)
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