Coping with Vision Loss
Receiving a diagnosis of permanent vision loss can be so startling that it has been compared to dealing with the trauma of grief – the person faces the shock of having to adjust to a new of a way of life and their self-perception and their role in family life and in society can suddenly and dramatically change if not managed well after the initial diagnosis.
Below are some tips for the newly visually impaired person to remember after receiving such a startling diagnosis:
- You are not alone – many adults experience vision loss due to various reasons. Reaching out for support from organizations that specialize with supporting visual impaired persons and their families can offer much-needed comfort during this transition.
- You can continue to lead a full, rewarding life – if you are willing to be patient and to learn new ways of doing the same tasks, you can continue to enjoy and participate in a wide range of activities – hobbies, travel, volunteer work – while maintaining some level of independence post-diagnosis. The challenges of vision loss are overcome every day by persons who have chosen to fully participate in daily life and who wish to maintain interaction with the wider society.
- You do not have to stop working – with technical assistance and a few basic adjustments, many people can still continue to work and perhaps, even in their same job function. In Trinidad and Tobago, we still have some ways to go in terms of educating employers about the wide array of technology available to assist persons with visual impairment. However, by becoming aware with what is available will be a crucial first step in maintaining your employment and employability by being open to learning new skills and approaches to everyday tasks.
- You can remain independent – whether you have been diagnosed with complete blindness or an advanced stage of vision loss, technology is available to support you completing routine tasks such as, cook your meals safely, navigate your home, and selecting clothing among many others. Assistive technology both for home and the workplace are outlined in detailed in the following section.