What is it like to go shopping when you cannot see?

One of the difficulties I live with now, is that I cannot go shopping by myself Not only can I not get anywhere without someone driving me there, I cannot do much shopping once I do arrive at a store. It would really be impossible for me to shop alone and get anything significant done while on my shopping trip.

In the grocery store, because of a slight bit of peripheral vision that I have, I can identify what department I am standing in. I know the deli from the produce department, or the candy area from the dairy area. So, in general, I know about where I am in the grocery store. What I do not know is exactly what items I am "looking" at while in that area. I have to pick up an apple and roll it around in my hand to know it is an apple. Once I am sure it is an apple, then I won't know if it is a good apple or one with decay spots on it. I can feel if it is a bit softer than I would want it to be, but I won't know if it is damaged or getting spoiled. And, certainly I will not know what type of apple I am holding.

At the dairy dept, I will have no clue as to what kind of milk I would be picking up, or if it is really orange juice, or eggnog that I have in my hand. While I will know I am probably looking at the cheese area in the dairy case, I will not know what type of cheese it is, or if it is something that is not cheese in that package. Instead of getting a container of butter, I might be holding a container of dip or salsa. And, to even consider what a price is, well, that simply can never happen. Price comparison shopping is something that is in the distant past, and something i will never be able to do again.

In the clothing store, I will know I am in the ladies sportswear department. What I will not know is what color the item is, what size it is, or how much it costs. I can feel that it might be shorts, or a blouse, or a sweater. But, the details that I need to have to know what to buy are absent. Without a person with me, I would not be able to shop for myself once I am in the store.

What I was trained to do is to go to the Customer Service area, announce that I am visually impaired (as if they would not know that when they wee my long white cane!) and ask for assistance. Of course, I would be only able to ask for one or two items as the store would frown on someone serving as my "personal shopper" for any extended amount of time. That means, I have to decide before I go in the store exactly what items I want to buy, and memorize my list so I am efficient. I must be able to say exactly what items I will need and ask them to help me get them. What I can buy in this way is very limited and totally dependent upon someone from the store helping me get them. Some of my blind friends have waited on someone at Customer Service to help them for half an hour or more. One friend had a two hour wait, patiently, on the bench by Customer Service where he was told to wait for someone to help him. You wait until someone is free and can give you a few moments of help. It can be very discouraging. But, you have no choice in the matter, so you wait.

Once I have my items I can go through the checkout myself, and out the door. I can count out the right amount of money, and I will discuss how that is done in my next post here. Once the shopping is finished, then, I need someone to pick me up and get me back home. For a person who traveled all over the world alone, prior to sight loss, this is quite an adjustment. A time or two, I have had a meltdown in the process. It can be frightening, as well as requiring much patience at every step of the way. Most of all, any trip outside my home required a lot of advance planning on my part.

You may wonder what things might look like to a person with sight loss. I found a photo on a link that can give you a little bit of an idea. For me, I see nothing clearly at all. I can detect light from darkness, and I can see contrasts, but everything is ghostlike in nature. I see just the outline of forms, so I know if I am standing near someone. I am thankful for this amount of sight that I have.

Many senior citizens are going through a gradual sight loss due to Macular Degeneration. Some of them will be completely blind in a matter of years. Others may maintain some vision, or have low vision. This site can give you some idea of what that is like. It is all VERY interesting!

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/23539844/what-shopping-might-look-like-to-people-with-sight-loss

3-D Goggles for Stroke Victims

You may be surprised to know that some stroke victims cannot see due to brain damage. However, they cannot tell you they can't see. A new breakthrough might just be found in the entertainment Industry, and the use of 3-D glasses much like the ones you would wear to see _Avatar. Check this out for yourself.

http://www.physorg.com/news183051448.html

Degress of Sight Loss

Most people know nothing about Sight Loss or Blindness. I certainly didn't know much of anything until two years ago. These days, I am learning so much. It seems that each week, I learn something new. For instance, today I learned that my own medical condition would be classified as "Profound Visual Impairment or Profound Low Vision." It is just the step above "Near-total Blindness." But, the term "blind" applies to all levels.

At my level of "Profound Visual Impairment" I cannot read any text, regardless of how large it is. Magnifiers do not help me, nor does it help me to put a light onto something. In fact, putting a light onto something completely wipes it out. I am light sensetive, and cannot tolerate the light. I have to wear special glasses when I am in a room that is brightly lighted. And, especially when I am outdoors. A sunny day is very uncomfortable for me, even with the darkest glasses. I am literally blinded by light, no helped by it.

I found the following information on Low Vision. I have tweaked and edited it for clarity and easier reading. You can visit this site for additional information: http://www.radiotelecomando.org/2010/01/06/what-is-considered-lowpoor-vision/


____Low Vision, can be referred to as poor vision.
This happens when a person has lost her sight to such a degree that it is not completely restored using such aids as surgery and prescription eyeglasses. Such sight loss can include poor night vision, blind spots, and a glare preventing one from seeing clearly.

Total blindness is not considered low vision.
There is still some sight with low vision. It may only be that this person can know if there is light or dark. Low vision is normally associated with people who are “legally blind” and require vision aids.

The American Optometric Association classifies low vision in two categories:

1.) Partially Sighted:
Visual acuity is between 20/70 and 20/200 with conventional prescription lenses.

2.) Legally Blind:
Visual acuity no better than 20/200 with conventional correction and/or a restricted field of vision less than 20 degrees wide.

The World Health Organization classifies visual impairment as:-
20/30 to 20/60: Mild vision loss, or near-normal vision-
20/70 to 20/160: Moderate visual impairment, or moderate low vision-
20/200 to 20/400: Severe visual impairment, or severe low vision-
20/500 to 20/1,000: Profound visual impairment, or profound low vision-
less than 20/1,000: Near-total visual impairment, or near total blindness

Low vision can result from a number of conditions that can include inherited diseases, birth defects, macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, strokes, sleep apnea, and physical injuries.

It can also result from such circumstances as diabetes, cancer of the eye, albinism, or a brain injury.

How is Low Vision diagnosed?
Eye care specialists can diagnose low vision by using lighting, magnifiers, and visual testing charts. Low vision is often seen in adults over 45, especially the elderly.

The most common types of low vision include:
- Central Vision Loss: A blind spot in the center of a person’s vision
- Peripheral Vision Loss: Cannot see on either side, above or below eye leve
- Night Blindness: Problems seeing in poorly lit areas
- Blurred Vision: Objects both near and far are blurry. For instance, refractive error is an
eye disease where the shape of the eye does not bend light properly, resulting in a blurry
image.

Common refractive conditions include:
myopia (short sight)
hypermetropia, (long sight)
presbyopia, (aging of the lens)
astigmatism (irregular curvature of the lens.)
-Hazy Vision: Vision appears to be covered with a film or glare.

Signs that may suggest low vision include:
- Not recognizing faces
- Performing activities where you find yourself looking closely such as when reading,
watching television, or sewing
- Picking out the wrong clothing colors
- Turning on bright lights to see well
- Unable to read street signs

Low vision can often be treated using such aids as hand magnifiers, lenses that filter light, reading prisms, magnifying glasses, telescopic glasses, and closed-circuit television.Non medical aids that can help a person with low vision include talking watches and clocks, text reading software, large print books and magazines, clocks, phones, and watches that have larger numbers…etc.Due to technological developments in the field of low vision rehabilitation, today most people suffering from low vision can be helped to improve the quality of their lives. Visual aids improve both sight and the quality of life for many people. If you are having problems with your sight, see an eye doctor for testing.

Here she comes!

"I am standing on the seashore. A ship spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the ocean. I stand watching her until she fades on the horizon, and someone at my side says, "She is gone." Gone where? The loss of sight is in me, not in her. Just at the moment when someone says, "She is gone," there are others who are watching her coming. Other voices take up the glad shout, "Here she comes." --Henry Scott Holland.

http://ramondpresson.typepad.com/sight_lines/2010/01/the-voyage-of-passing.html

I found this today on a website. It stopped me in my tracks.

This quote evokes a memory for me. It is a dreamscape. I see it with my eyes closed.

I have always made art. I cannot remember not creating. My work is often referred to as a "dreamscape." These days, thought I cannot make paintings and woodcut prints any longer, I am still creating. How does a person every stop creating. I can't imagine that.

Recently, I began to focus on creating with clay. Pottery. It, too, springs forth from that place inside my soul where all my works have emerged from my whole career. It is like going on a voyage, deep within myself. It is the "unseen" that I have always held in my mind's eye as I worked. I still do. Now, it is done with clay.

I understand the journey much better now that I cannot see. Things I do not see here, are seen another place. I cannot see from this direction, but from another viewing point, I see perfectly well. It is an exciting journey, Inner Vision.

The Silent Thief of Sight

Glaucoma!

During my residency experience at the Blind and Vision Rehabilitation School, Homestead, PA, I met a number of other blind people who have Glaucoma. Up until that time, it was only a word for me, and I had no understanding of what it does to people. Now, I know a lot more about it and when I think of Glaucoma, I envision some of my fellow students at the school.

You need to know this: it sneaks up on you and without warning, you are having BIG problems.

Read the website I have enclosed here for more information on the "Silent Thief of Sight." It IS teatable and if it is detected in the early stages you have a much better chance of avoiding sight loss.

The earlier the better for treating this disease. A very simple test with your regular eye exam can detect Glaucoma. Be sure to have a regular eye exam, even if you have no symptoms at all. Your eye sight is precious, guard it carefully.

http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2010/01/12/life/doc4b4ba9e0d21b5860620586.txt

When your vision is NOT normal...

Please read over some of the symptoms I have listed so that you are aware of possible problems with your eye sight.

If you notice some of these things, do not assume that it is normal.
These are red flags, so pay attention. Go immediately to your eye specialist and report this situation. Prompt action can save your eyesight.

I am listing several possible indications of eye problems. If you have any, see you doctor:

1. Severe headaches especially in the eye area. Sometimes vision is blurred or you may even see an "aura" of colors and light before the headache even begins.
2. Blurred vision when reading a book or newspaper. You may think this is just stress, or that you are tired and need rest. But, maybe it is something more serious.
3. Trouble driving at night - lights bother you, and the road seems very black and glaring.
4. A noticable depth perception, especially when walking down steps
5. Floaters - black spots that seem to float across your vision. You may think that a bug is flying about your face.
6. Sensitivity to light, such as in sunlight, or in a building that has florescent lighting
7. Pain in the eyes for no apparent reason
8. Bloodshot eyes for no apparent reason
9. If your glasses do not seem to be working any more. If things are blurred even while wearing glasses you may just need a change in prescription, or, you may be experiencing a larger problem.

I found another good site that has information on sight loss. Please check it out, too.

For more information please visit this link.
http://www.personalliberty.com/health-tips/is-my-vision-loss-normal/

Embrace Change

“I wanted a perfect ending... Now, I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity.“ ~ Gilda Radner

This blog is written for people who embrace Delicious Ambiguity.

It is an exciting thought- that our life has no clear beginning, often times it has no discernable middle part, and the ending is not yet written. There is no expiration date written on us anywhere.

The certainty we have is that we will change. Change is the one constant in our life.

Embrace Change.

My sight loss has brought about many changes in me. I have met wonderful new friends I would not have known otherwise. I know about things I never knew before. I was launched onto a new path and the journey continues. It is exciting for me. I embrace my journey and I hope you embrace yours, too.

Blind People Make Art

I am an artist. It is not something that happens to you overnight. You cannot plan to become an artist, or dream it up one day and then begin. It is something that you were born with and remains the core of who you are for your entire life, and beyond. It is something that you are deep down inside your soul. There is nothing that can take away your creative spirit, even loss of vision.

The creative person thinks creatively in all circumstances. When sight loss occurred in my life, I resolved to figure out just how I would continue to be the creative person I have always been. I started with something I had done most of my life. That is, knitting.

At first I could not do it again. Then, after a number of failed attempts, I realized that I was failing because I was trying to see my knitting with my eyes. Since they were no longer working, I realized I had to begin to see with my fingers instead. That worked! Soon, I was knitting away on a sweater that I would send to the Knit for Kids project, through Guideposts Magazine. After my first one, I went on to knit six sweaters last year to send to the project that provides sweaters to needy children worldwide.

The next thing I began to do was to work in clay. I started off slowly, and hesitatingly. But, after a short time, I was attempting large and ambitious projects. I took six courses at a local art center, and the teacher was a gem and not at all afraid of figuring out how to help a person who cannot see the work in progress. She was excited at my achievements and successful pieces. She worked with me to learn to do my pottery by touch rather than sight. I have now been making pottery for two years and my work will be in an exhibition at the art center this month. This will be my first fine art exhibition since sight loss.

I decided to do things that are realistic for me to do. The things that I no longer do, painting and printmaking, are not important to me. I am very pleased that I can now make pottery, and can still knit, and make jewelry again. Creativity takes many paths in our development as artists. Life does not end when we are faced with the beginning of a new pathway. Rather, the new pathway is an exciting new adventure for us.

You can visit my website to see some of my work. Be sure to drop me a note to let me know you visited. I will be watching for you! Thanks for taking a look at m;y work.

Living With Nature

I like this blog:

Living With Nature


Click on the link and plan to spend some time reading and reflecting on what your life COULD be like in comparison to what it seems to be like right now.

January is the time for reflecting on your life, deciding what you want to change, and how you might do it. I think you will enjoy tis blog very much. And, I think your life can change. This is the season for reflection and transformation. While away the winter months as you think about the new you. Transformation is the key to a joyous life.

What to do When you Meet a Sighted Person

What To Do When You Meet A Sighted Person

People who use their eyes to acquire information about the world are called sighted people or "people who are sighted".

Legal sight means any visual acuity greater than 20/200 in the better eye without correction or an angle of vision wider than 20 degrees.

Sighted people enjoy rich, full lives working, playing and raising families.
They run businesses, hold public offices, get arrested and teach your children!


How do Sighted People get around?
People who are sighted may walk or ride public transportation but most choose to travel long distances by operating their own motor vehicles, usually one passenger to a car.
They have gone through many hours of extensive training to learn the rules of the road in order to further their independence. Once that road to freedom has been mastered, sighted people earn a legal classification and a driver’s license which allows them to operate aprivate vehicle relatively safely and independently.

How do you assist a sighted person?
Sighted people are accustomed to viewing the world in visual terms.

This means that in many situations they will not be able to communicate orally and may resort to stammering, pointing, hand waving or other gesturing. Subtle facial expressions may also be used to convey feelings in social situations. Calmly alert the sighted person to his or her surroundings by speaking slowly in a normal tone of voice. Questions directed at the sighted person help focus attention back on the verbal rather than the merelyvisual.


How do sighted people remember things?
Often they don't remember things.
In fact, this is one of the most painful aspects of the visual affliction.
The degree to which sight inhibits lack a detailed memory is amazing.
Often, the sighted person must reacquire the same information each time it is needed. You can help by being sensitive to their struggle by learning to anticipate their need and providing them with the information they need when it is necessary. Don't tell them too much too quickly. Be sensitive to the capacities of the individual with whom you are dealing. These limitations vary from person to person and it is deeply upsetting to a sighted person to realize that you recognize their mental shortcomings.

At times sighted people need help finding things, especially when operating a motor vehicle. Your advance knowledge of routs, landmarks, bumps in the road, and traffic lights will assist the sighted person in finding their way quickly and easily. Your knowledge of building layouts can also assist the sighted person in navigatingcomplex shopping malls and office buildings. Sighted people tend to be very proud and are reluctant to ask for assistance. Be gentle yet firm.

How do sighted people use computers?
The sighted person relies exclusively on visual information.

His or her attention span fades quickly when reading long texts so it is best to write in bulleted listsof very brief items.

The use of bright colors will help the sightedperson stay focused.

Computer information is presented to the sighted in a graphical manner to assist them in comprehending their world. Coordination of hands and eyes is often a preoccupation with sighted people so the computer mouse, a handy device that slides along the desk top, saves confusing keystrokes. With one button the sighted person can move around his or her computer screen quickly and easily, if not necessarily efficiently. People who are sighted are not accustomed to synthetic speech and may have great difficulty understanding even the clearest synthesizer, falling asleep between syllables or becoming distracted by a spot on the carpet.

Be patient and prepared to explain many times how your computer works.

How do sighted people read?
Reading is accomplished by the sighted person through a system called "print," which is a series of images drawn in a two dimensional plane. People who are sighted generally have a poorly developed sense of touch.

Braille is completely foreign to them and severe bouts of disorientation can sometimes result from over exposure to the use of the higher senses. Sighted people cannot function well in dimly lit conditions and are generally completely helpless and often devastatingly frightened in total darkness. Their homes are usually very brightly lit at great expense as are businesses that cater to the sighted. Naturally thesecosts are passed on to the consumer.


How can I support the sighted person?
People who are sighted do not want your charity.
They want to live, work, and play alongside you on as equal a basis as possible. You must ignore their tendency to display feelings that they are superior to you. Failing to allow them this delusion may promote aberrant and antisocial behavior. The best thing you can do to support sighted people in your community is simply open yourself to their world and help open their limited world to the bounty of your experience. These citizens are vital contributing members of the community, real people with thoughts and feelings, hopes and dreams and a story to tell.

Take a sighted person to lunch today and make them feel like you truly care.

Note: I have no idea who the author of this is. I received it from a blind friend, via email. I thought it was very humorous and I hope you do to. It is also quite educational.