My ADA advice to whom it may concern:

Sunday January 4th was Braille Day.

On that day I was inspired to write a post on a FB group page called Low Vision. There people share their experiences and struggles with having lost their eye sight or in the midst of losing it. I have been in the midst for a while. It was hard for me to write about it because many people don't know and knowing makes some act differertly. I experienced this more when I was with my long time girlfriend who lost her sight in an incubator at birth. They failed to cover her eyes. This was horrible for me to hear. But her positive attitude changed me. On one outing we had a person with us who could not walk far due to illness. We arrived at Walmart and my friend, Becky requested a wheelchair from the greeter who wanted to know why a blind person needed a chair. Before I could speak the ADA advocate lioness (who was usually a lamb) came out in Becky. "You do not need to know that, just get the chair!" Another day we were talking on the phone and she referred to her "handicap." "I know you are blind, what about it?" I said. "Oh, no. That's not my handicap." she replied very seriously. "I studder," she added. I had not noticed this problem and she sang like an angel,but the studder bothered her. Not seeing was no problem because she had no memory of sight. She had a college degree and was a working mom. Yet another time I was her chauffeur. Without thinking I exclaimed, "I see a rainbow!" She then asked me to describe it. "Well, it is in the shape of a half circle in the sky. The colors are in order..." I was failing so I added. "Sorry, but someday when we all get to heaven you will see one." Cheerfully she responded, 'And I will appreciate it more!"

Another time she asked me to take her to the library. THE LIBRARY?!? We had often gone shopping so I knew the drill. I would walk down each aisle with her calling out the items she might need. In the movies I would quietly explain the scenes when no one was talking. But the library with thousands of book titles to say aloud? Oh my! It seems she had a new piece of equipment that could read a book out loud and she knew exactly what type of books she wanted. Happily they were the same books I liked to read. It turned into a new fun adventure we could share. Thanks, Becky. Now back to the FB post:

First you should know I am a married grandmother. I have been legally blind since age 9. When I was diagnosed, my mother told the doctor I only wanted glasses to look pretty.  She was in denial. The doctor practically yelled at her, “Lady, your kid can’t see!”  I was 20/200 both eyes and twice that bad by age 18. Acute myopia and keratoconus.  I have had 3 eye surgeries and no longer get 20/20 corrections with glasses. I cannot drive now.  But I still work. I currently teach English as a Second Language. In the past I have been a draftsman, a bookkeeper, legal assistant and personal assistant. I had to give up drafting due to vision issues and that was hard, but I needed to continue working so I adapted. 

So here is my advice for different issues dealing with low vision to whom it may concern:

Guide dogs: Golden retrievers shed a lot.  Your dog will need to be in other people’s cars and homes, so consider that. Brush and wash often or get a short haired lab instead.

Working: volunteering if you cannot get hired can make you look more eligible.  Soup kitchens need servers.  I once had a totally blind friend collate papers for me.  I put 7 piles in order, and she put them together and stapled. She also taught Sunday school.  I would read her the material so she could type it in Braille.  She already had a Braille Bible.  She was our choir’s lead soprano and sang at funerals.  This lady inspired me.

Dating and marriage: it is about the other person.  Enjoy other people and the right person will find you.  I have been married many years.  He has never treated me like I was fragile or handicapped. He will quietly move a wine glass when we are entertaining, so I don’t knock it over and embarrass myself. I have no depth perception. Things aren’t always where I think they are.

Scared, frustrated or depressed:  First scary experience I remember was taking my 2 young children to the pool.  I asked the lifeguard to help me watch them and he acted like I was lazy.  My vision issue was never apparent to others. Second: I did not learn about my keratoconus until after my last surgery.  I went online and read.  At the bottom it said, “…most people don’t go blind from this.”  “Oh, my! I am not MOST PEOPLE!” I suddenly realized. That was an unnerving revelation at about age 50 when I still needed to make a living.  If depression is bad, seek professional help; and find a support group, maybe a Bible study group.  Those don’t need to be in the same situation as you, they just need to be caring and encouraging like my blind soprano friend.  We all have struggles.  Exercise can help.  Volunteering is good.  I look on my low vision as a challenge rather than a disability.  How can I manage to live in a normal way?  Now, it means I take a taxi as I can no longer drive.  I am blessing the taxi guy who needs to feed a family while safely getting to my destination. Sometimes, I get to practice my foreign language skills as well.

I highly recommend reading the book JONI, the story of Joni Erickson Tada.  Joni has a ministry called Joni and Friends.  Joni, like me, is a woman of faith.  Faith has helped me through many struggles, most of which had nothing to do with my low vision. Disabilities and the challenges they present are so varied.  I can only share from my personal experiences, so it may or may not help you, I just hope it provides some encouragement to know you are not alone.  I am grateful for this group and all the sharing that has encouraged me.  I get visually overwhelmed when shopping. To know others experience that was a real eye opener…pun intended ;D.

That was the end of my post, but not the end of my story. I asked my husband recently when he realized I couldn't see. He said he always knew. Funny thing, this never came up in conversation before. Now he has sudden severe hearing loss and bad diabetes. He was not overweight and did not have poor eating habits so this was a shock. It has been a huge adjustment for both of us. We had made a big move in 2024 and in early 2025, he landed in a foreighn hospital for 2 weeks. He had vascular surgery to restore circulation to his right foot and later lost a toe before he got back to normal. During those 2 weeks I was home alone having a self pity party. "Snap out of it! He needs you!" I told myself. I was a spoiled wife who needed to step up. I would need to do things he used to do like: cook 3 meals a day and take out the trash. (he is a retired chef) It was then I realized how much I relied on him. My friend Becky used to be married and now is a self-relient single. She still inspires me to not waste a minute, but to keep moving forward.

Once I was blind but now I can see.** My physical eyes are still a challenge, but my spiritual eyes were opened when I believed and made Jesus my Savior and Lord. Someday I will enjoy the rainbows with my friend Becky. Becky and I know we are blessed by God so we can be a blessing to others. We can share music, books, recipes and other gifts with family, friends and neighbors. My husband is better now and I try to let him know how much I appreciate all he does for me and for others. I thank God for him, for Becky and others who share their struggles. But mostly I thank God for Jesus and his work daily in our lives by the Holy Spirit. If you don't know Jesus, I encourage you to read or listen to the Bible. Start with the Book of John.

**John 9:25

P.S. ADA stands for Americans with Disabilities Act and is the law to protect those with disabilities from discrimination. Don't know what it is called in other countries. Here is the USA website: https://www.ada.gov/