Losing vision and likely my job

I knew this was coming, so it's not as depressing as it might be for people who have lost sight suddenly. I have a genetic eye problem that is slowly wiping out my side vision, and it's made my night vision so bad that the retina doc finally pulled my night driving. I'm doing a side vision test at the end of the month to see if I can keep my daylight driving privileges. The laws on that are much stricter in PA than in WI, so it doesn't look promising.

Yes, there's definitely irony in an eye doc losing vision, but I got into the field because I have crappy eyes and wanted to help others. Calling the Bureau for the Blind/Visually Impaired for _me_ instead of my patients was kind of freaky. The counselor is going to come out to my house to help with some safety issues and to help with the night vision loss--most likely with a little hat with a light on it to see where I'm walking at night. Right now I have to use my phone as a flashlight! The idea of using a white cane at night is really bugging me. I suppose I have to learn to get over that, but it doesn't mean I have to like it!

The good news: I will not go totally blind most likely. The bad news: my job as an eye doc is in the next county over from me, and there's no public transportation between the 2 main cities. If I lose my driver's license, I lose my job. There aren't any openings in my home town at this time.

While I'll qualify for disability after some time, I'd much rather keep working. I've been doing some freelance writing with Textbroker, and I write regularly for TORWars.com on a volunteer basis to build my article writing skills. I'm working on my certification as a medical writer with the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA), since I particularly enjoy that. We can survive without my income, but it will be very, very tight, and that scares me more than anything else. On top of that, I'm going to need a knee replacement this year some time, so working from home is going to be the best option.

If you all know anyone who needs a solid writer/researcher/communicator/people-person, please let me know.

Prayers and positive thoughts will be most welcome, too! It's going to be a big change for the entire family.

Dang. Sorry to hear the worsening news.

I will say - I love your positive attitude, and attitude is everything in times like you are having. Please keep those positive thoughts and my well wishes do go out to you!

» Edited on: 2013-04-12 15:10:43

Sorry to hear this man, but your attitude is everything and you my friend have that cranked to the good side :) I'm hoping deep down stuff goes your way. Keep us posted, and keep on keepin on.

Geez, I'm not sure what to say since "sorry" seems rather inadaquate given the enormity of your situation and everything that's impacted because of it. I will say that I totally agree that attitude is everything and you seem to be a positive, giving and caring person and will receive that in kind. I sometimes wonder what I would do if I'm ever faced with a situation where I'd lose any part of my sight and I know I wouldn't be as positive as you seem to be. So, my hats off to you! You are and will be an inspiration to so many people! And not just because of who you are and the positive energy surrounding you, but also for the things you have yet to accomplish. I wish all the best to you and your family!! Myk

» Edited on: 2013-04-12 23:57:39

I feel ya dear you reached out to me when this happen and I hope something better turns up for ya since your a good soul as I would say for extend your skills to aid others. Maybe karma will help you out.

Thank you all for the support! It really does mean a lot to me. :) I've had my low moments to be sure, because I do love to drive. The whole process has been happening over the last decades so I've had time to come to terms with most of it. Right now I'm in that "Oh my God, it's here NOW, and I need to figure out where to cut in the family budget to get us down to what our income will be without my salary." We already have a garden going, and we're going to enlarge it. I'm studying how to make very low-budget meals to stretch our dollars. Hubby has a very good job, so we're doing OK there. It's just a matter of learning to cut all unnecessary expenses and seek outside services when we need them. I'm going to add more writing and look at some other places like Textbroker to help keep income happening. My daughter, who has ADHD quite severely, has really struggled with math. Being home will give me the needed time to spend with her so that we can do an additional home school math module I picked up called Math-U-See. My son and I have thought about doing a mother-son geek cooking vlog, and that will be fun. :D The only thing that really drives me up a wall is when the kids leave the kitchen cabinet doors open, because I run into them, or worse, stand up under that door. I almost knocked myself out doing that one time. Ugh. It's a learning process for us all.

Well, I had the side vision test today, and no more driving at all. :( There's no paratransit between the county in which I live and the one in which I work, so I'll lose that job. Sigh. A counselor from the Bureau for the Blind is going to come out to my house next week to go over all the options with me. I'm not sure what to do at the moment, except maybe have a few margaritas tonight. And eat chocolate. Because chocolate makes everything better. At least until the sugar rush burns off.

I am sorry to hear that. I know things will be difficult, but it also sounds like you are doing the right things and have been looking at options. I encourage you to keep your optimism. With every door that closes, another one will open. I will have a drink tonight for you. If you feel like you need to vent and don't want to do it on a public forum, feel free to message me.

I just have to say that you all rock. Thank you so much for all the support. It means a lot to me. :)

Any consideration of looking into a seeing eye dog for help? If you are thinking about it, make sure you do look into the program you get them from. Possibly one like the Sam Simon Foundation. An originator of the Simpsons who collects royalties and is an activities. Also runs a dog training camp where they take rescue dogs and train them to be helpers for blind/deaf/ and now starting to train them for PTSD veterans. Based in California, I spend a few days there learning about their work. If your an animal lover, or just open to the idea, it may be useful to look into a furry companion to help you stay safe. No expert on the subject by any means, but this may be a way to help you stay safe, and add a companion to your life, it they are up your alley. I also work in a Care Management Organization for New Jersey and deal with youth who have moderate to sever mental health needs. If you are interested i'd open up a private chat to offer any advice i can give in resources for dealing with what your daugher struggles with, and how i go about working with the families i'm involved with.

Oh, foundations like Sam Simon also offer the dogs at no cost. Not sure the application process though.

I am going to look into a dog once our current dog, who is getting older, goes to heaven. Right now, Sparky is so aggressive towards other dogs, we can't bring in another one. We can't bear to part with him, either. He's such a sweetheart. I don't need navigation help during the day, but night time would be a big help, and I agree they offer additional security. I might have a 1st Dan in Taekwondo, but that doesn't mean I want to use it in actual fighting. Bad guys think twice about going after someone with a dog. The only other 2 programs I'm semi-familiar with are Pilot Dogs in Columbus, OH and the Seeing Eye Dog in NJ, and I've heard both are excellent. I'm thinking of setting up a support group in my town for parents of kids with ADHD, so I'll definitely come chat with you. The more resources, the better!