Assumptions and Conclusions
28 June 2010While I’ve had a few down days. I think I’ve generally handled this whole blindness thing pretty well. Others seem to think so too, if their reactions to my reaction are any indication.
I seem to get one of two responses. The more prevalent response is amazement at how well I’m dealing with it. Some folks act as if I’m some kind of spiritual giant because I’ve chosen to trust that God knows what He’s doing rather than collapse into a useless heap. My response to that is pretty simple. The route I’ve chosen appears to me to be far superior to any other option available to me. Sitting in the corner in the fetal position just isn’t very appealing. And the fact that God has carried us through many crises in the pas and always been faithful to provide for us makes it almost easy for me, along with my wife, to trust Him. That doesn’t make me any kind of giant.
The second, less common response seems to be a belief that it’s not really all that bad to begin with. After all, if it was I’d be a basket case. This response mystifies me. I’m legally blind and I had relatively normal vision just a few months ago. I’ve lost my business, my ability to drive and my general independence. From my perspective that’s pretty bad.
With the right perspective, of course, it isn’t nearly as bad as it could be and it certainly isn’t as bad as many others have it. And from that perspective I actually feel blessed! After all, while I’m legally blind, I’m not completely blind. I can see well enough to walk around, cook a meal or work in the garden. I need some help sometimes but I’m not helpless.
Just a few days ago I was doing the intake interview with the South Carolina Commission for the Blind. The lady doing the interview seemedalmost incredulous that I wasn’t acting blind. She was talking about me having to learn to use the white cane! I can assure you that I don’t need the white cane. Maybe I will one day but not today. She acted as if I was somehow in denial about my disability! That was the last response I would have expected from someone whose job it is to assist someone like me.
So this new journey continues to provide me with one surprise after another. Some of them are more welcome than others but all have to be faced and dealt with and with my wonderful wife at my side, I will do just that.
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August 5th, 2010 at 6:40 pm
HI RON,
THIS IS MARK. I AM INTERESTED IN YOUR EYE PROBLEMS
WITH NAION. I ALSO HAVE NAION IN BOTH EYES AND IT SEEMS VERY SIMILAR TO YOURS. DO YOU KNOW OF ANY NAION BLOGS THAT WE COULD SHARE PROBLEMS AND EXPERIENCES. THE INFO ON NAION IS VERY LIMITED AND NOT DEFINITIVE.
THANKS,
MARK
August 8th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
I am not aware of any blogs relating to NAION. It is difficult to find much information because it is not a well understood condition. I will be talking more about it though as I work my way through this.