Vision is often considered to be our most important sense since most of the information humans possess enters the brain through our eyes. Even what we hear, touch and smell are associated with an image to identify them. It follows that people with vision problems must bear increased hurdles in life as opposed to those with average vision.
One very important topic left uncovered here so far is the emotional aspects of vision loss. Therr are two key parts of this which include dealing with the vision loss itself and dealing with the often accompanying loss of self-esteem due to public opinion.
Good vision is something that far too many people take for granted. And since vision is such an important sense, it is often difficult for people to cope with its deterioration. It becomes even harder to cope when the loss is quick or severe. The world becomes a much different place with new challenges and learning experiences. Toss in the fact that many people don't understand their new condition (medically) and it is hard to ask a doctor good questions about it when they don't even know what has happened.
Also, there may not be many other people who truly understand a persons new view on life because they haven't experienced it themselves. The feeling of being the only person with a vision problem just adds to the emotional mixture.
As if it weren't enough to suffer though vision loss by itself, many people find they also have to deal with negative public opinions. Children who need glasses during school are a prime target for other kids to pick on. Children and adults who have an outwardly show of vision loss (such as close reading or use of visual aids) can also be targets for comments. That is very sad since I don't know of anybody who really wants less than average vision, but does want to use whatever is available to help them regain as much vision back as they can possibly get.
I have personally experienced a lot of negativity due to the fact that my eyes look different even from the outside. I have found the best way to deal with comments about it is to judge the basic attitude of the person and respond accordingly. Those who ask about it out of concern or genuine interest are told about the conditions which affect me. Those which try to avoid the issue are allowed to do so. Those who attempt to make fun of me get a quick lesson in hunility themselves, but with politeness.
Each person will have to develop their own style of dealing with situations. If they are handled with dignity, the chance for real progress is improved. Accept the fact that some people seem to exist just to cause trouble and will never change and there is no reason to drop to their level in a response. For all of the other people, just be honest and as informative as the encounter merits.
The process of coping with any medical problem shouldn't have to be complicated with self-esteem issues also. Look at it this way, everybody has some problems or flaws (rarely just a few, but not all are outwardly noticeable). Some people deal with hearing loss, some lack mobility, others have any of assorted medical or emotional troubles. Somebody with vision problems really shouldn't feel like they are abnormal humans, just that their affliction is different.
Earlier I noted that over 12 million Americans have some degree of visual problem, so visually impaired people are not alone after all. So let those who want to be mean be as mean as their hearts desire and let's all just proceed with making our own lives as comfortable as possible.
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