Responding to a Comment About Sight Loss vs Blind | Life After Sight Loss

[@myvisuallyimpairedlife5674]

Bravo! You said it better than I did. I had the same topic on my channel a few months back. I called it visually impaired versus blind. I know I am blind as a hippo form of blindness but I still choose to say that I am visually impaired. Yes sometimes I still say to people I'm blind but I have found in my experience that saying visually impaired is much easier. For example, if you say I'm blind and you're looking right at somebody where you shake their hand take a confused and baffled and then ask random or even dumb questions at times. but I have learned whenever I say visually impaired there is less stupid questions in the ball is in my court to answer the question if they ask what my visual impairment is. Just for me it feels more politically correct to say visually impaired. This was a great video Derek sometimes I absolutely hate you because you talk so good in your videos. I could have not made my video and better than this. You are an always will be the king of analogies. My friend And if anybody is reading my comment definitely go check out JC5 productions video on this topic. it was a great video and I was blessed to be able to be in it. Juan is one talented individual.

[@theblindlife]

Derek hitting us with some truth this morning! And I've gotta say, that was a fantastic analogy nice job coming up with that on the spot! Those little nuggets of spontaneous brilliance don't happen very often, lucky for you yours was caught on tape! Bravo good sir, bravo!

[@darquequeen2323]

What a conundrum labels can do to us at times. I usually refer to myself as blind, but I also see how it trips up sighted people, as I’m close to complete blindness, but I have some vision left. Then there’s the other side where I have encountered some blind folks who got offended by my use of the word because they consider it “partial”. I always say I’m not a blind person, I’m a person living with blindness. It impacts my life, but it’s not my life. Great video Derek. Hope all is well with you and your family (and Koa too! 🐕)

[@digitalcharms5570]

Great topic. When i started losing my sight, I was confused with all the titles. I was told I have Low Vision but what does that mean? Apparently, most people did not not understand that so i had to also say visually impaired since I’m not blind. I’m goint to try saying I have sight loss since some people knew me when I was fully sighted. To me diaabled, visually impaired or low vision seem negative. Sight loss seems like more new phase or new normal that i am adapting to. Life is tough enough and with sight loss, everyday activities can be a constant challenge. I noticed peple at work starting to struggle with coputer due to natural vision detoriation of aging. The main difference is they vision is corrected with readers or eyeglasses or surgery. I like your comment that sight loss does not define me as a person. What is does do is chagne how I interact. So now I will start saying that I have progressive sight loss tthat cannot be corrected with eyeglasses, medication or surgury. Then ask for help with specific activity like reading aloud their computer screen since my screen reader only limited to my laptop. Also learning to educate other people about sight loss.

[@LowVisionUKTerrysView]

Loved this video Derek. I tend to now use whatever word or words fit the situation I'm in at the time. I was firstly registered partially sighted, then as my sight loss got worse, was registered blind. Now, I use a mix of visually impaired, blind, blind, but I see lol..all sorts, depending on the company I am with. I try to use Blind, because I am registered blind - But, people assume, as you say, blind means no sight whatsoever. this is actually what I thought blind meant, before I lost any vision. You are blind, or your are not - how naive was I haha. Now, I use blind whenever I can, and qualify it by giving a little explanation of MY blindness. I want more people to understand that Blind doesn't necessarily mean I can't see anything - but, when its just too difficult for people to comprehend, or quite frankly - when I can't be bothered explaining AGAIN, I say visually impaired. It is all about education, and I try to do my bit. As I say, now, I feel terribly ignorant, as before sight loss, I had the same assumptipons a lot of sighted people have now. I can't be mad at them, but try to explain it from my perspective. What I hate when someone says, you can't be blind, because you just did this, that or the other - thats when I try to educate people, but some people just dont want educating haha Terry

[@SulcataGrove]

Absolutely! People associate the word blind with complete blindness. I assumed people who say they are deaf, hear nothing until I found out that is not true recently. My daughter is legally blind, but she still sees 20/20 out of a small tube of vision in one eye only. If she were to tell people “I’m blind” and then read something tiny or point out a bird on a tree far away - people would assume she was lying about being blind. But she doesn’t see people standing in front of her unless they are directly in front of her nose. Great video as always.

[@bamablind9916]

This is a great video and I have watched several on this topic including the one that Vincent Grasso did as well as JC five productions. Awesome topic. I have always been legally blind and I, in the past described myself as visually impaired. That was very accurate and I moved around safely in my environment and needed no special help in that regard. Once I begin to lose my useful vision however, I begin telling others that I am blind because, of course, they assume I can’t see anything and might provide an extra layer of assistance. Without useful vision, when I explain that I am visually impaired, the assumption is that I have more useful vision that I truly possess so I have been left behind, on assisted in group settings, the list goes on and on so, I just say I am blind and it only gets better from there. Honestly, the best phrase I have found was used while talking to a group of children in a classroom. I say that, my eyes don’t work. Everything else about me works just fine, my voice, my ears, my nose, my hands and feet and yes, even my brain. So now I find myself explaining to curious adults, that, my eyes don’t work. I know, it’s an over simplification, but you are correct Derek, the general public does not understand the spectrum and it is up to us to somehow get that information out there. Great video and I love the shirt analogy because I am a very analogous person. LOL. Take care, Beverly

[@melanies.6139]

Excellent video and analogy! I tend to refer to myself as visually impaired because I feel that describes my personal situation. But depending on the person I’m talking to I also might use low vision as a descriptor. Like you said not everyone understands any number of the terms we would use to describe ourselves in the VIP community.

[@MrShwnhhwrd]

What you identify with either blind, sight loss, VIP, or whatever you choose is a part of being in the spectrum. I dont identify with blind, i like VIP. Great video. Im ready for more podcasts, please. Thamks again. #VIPNation.

[@JuanAlcazar]

Hey thanks for the shoutout. I wasn’t expecting that, so it was a nice surprise. I think some people get caught up in the proper wording for the condition, but I think that’s missing the point. The point is understanding the condition and what it means and all of these do that job in their own way. Oh and “visual disturbance” sounds very Star Wars like lol.

[@nancyannenesteriak-gentili3540]

Just found your channel...I was looking for help dealing with my 69 year old husband. His vision has been deteriorating pretty rapidly. He is technically impaired...my own description...so, as you can imagine, that makes things harder for me. He needs simple, simple, simple techniques . So I’ll be tuning in! Thanks for doing what you do!

[@accordingtodoug6320]

Great video Derek! At the time I read that comment that inspired this video I was thinking how it would spark some discussion. I remember a while back you did a similar video asking what term everybody on the channel identified with. Truth is that we are all individuals and to label us and to group everybody with sight loss into one box I think is wrong. Like you, I think the term blind is less descriptive and is more confusing to the sighted population. Over the years I have used many terms to describe my condition including blind, visually impaired, and low vision but those terms have never defined me and who I am! I think people in general get too wrapped up in semantics! Everybody is an indivudual and should be treated as such.

[@romer9570]

Most of the time I’ve been in the same situation. When people tell me you don’t look blind I had to explain over and over

[@TommyGuns84]

Awesome video. I loved that analogy.

[@myletlubisi9669]

I also don’t care what i am called, like you said what matters is who i am at the core of my being

[@inekogary8870]

You are absolutely correct. To use the word site loss. Because you have seen up until he was 18 and then you lost sight. So that is the correct term to say site loss. Because he was able to see everything even to drive. And now you have site loss at the age of 18 and now. So that is the correct term you’re right on the money.

[@karahamil3657]

Because I have some vision in one eye I’m often finding myself explaining my sight.. I use visually impaired ... great topic . Thanks for your vids !

[@HopeLouise]

My opthomologist says I’m legally blind. I was born with my eye issues so I’ve never been what I would call fully sighted. I call myself legally blind, visually impaired, or blind. However, I notice a lot of people don’t understand what legally blind means. They assume it means you just have to wear glasses to get 20/20 vision. So I tend to use terms appropriate to the individual situation and how open the person is to understanding blindness as a spectrum and not a one or the other issue. It can be tricky to navigate at times.

[@smmsjw]

Great video Derek!

[@ivyclara9782]

I still have my vision, but have been diagnosed with pre macular degeneration. If I live long enough, I will have sight loss. I am terrified. I watch your channel to learn. My doctor has offered me nothing but vitamins. I think I spent too much time outside without sunglasses. I had no idea I was damaging my eyes. I do not have a partner. When you said that you cannot sweep the floor, it really made me wonder how I will clean. I guess I will have to hire out. This really upsets me. Can you give advice to people without a sighted supporter? Should I start training with occupational therapy before I have sight loss?

[@GloriaNak]

I can tell you that you will be alright. I have a form of juvenile macular degeneration. I just turned 52 and had my vision check for the first time in about ten years. This was the first time I could not see the Big E on the chart. Macular degeneration is a slow process. I knew my sight had changed over the years but it is such a gradual process I adapted as time went on. I work full time in social services. I divorced my useless partner two years ago. I manage my household chores and finances on my own with no problems. Transportation is my biggest challenge as I'm sure it is for many of us. You will figure out how to do "all the things." With technology and things like bump dots you can manage. When my kids were small I so wanted to be able to read to them. This was not possible. I took 3 of their favorite books and-memorized them. These were mommy's books and all the others were daddy's books. In short you will figure out what works for you to do the tings you want/need to do. Also, don't be afraid to ask for assistance when you need it. Most people are happy to help and are curious. It is best not to spend time worrying about what other people might be thinking about you because most likely they aren't. :)

[@LifeAfterSightLoss]

I agree with the other commenter! You will be just fine. Yes, there will challenges as you go along. But you will figure them out. As far as sweeping the floor, it's not that I can't. It's just one of those jobs that I'm not great at, so I do other things arund the house while my wife does that. If I needed to I would do it. And, while I have a great sighted supporter in my wife and even my kids, you can do it without a partner as you say. I think planning ahead for more vision loss can't hurt. You don't have to start acting blind now, but having skills in place will benefit you. I wish you the best!

[@pyr54]

I say vision impaired or low vision. Most non vision impaired people don't understand. They really don't care or know what it really means. Some do get it. My AM bus driver is one who knows to drop me off in a safe area away from the cones and construction tape. (She has common sense- love her!) There is alot of serious construction going on where I would be let out. This AM was a different driver, whom I've dealt with before, as to where I need to be let out ( because of vision imparement)- even with my cane and thick glasses, she still didn't get it!

[@lourdesanaya6656]

Excellent video! I am having a really hard time with this visual impairment :( of mine!

[@scottgrimley1278]

In Australia we don’t use the term visually impaired, we use the tvision impaired. The reason? Apparently calling someone visually impaired is implying that they’re ugly! Someone decided decades ago!

[@inekogary8870]

You are correct you’re right on the money. Because my family knows me as blind they use the word blind. Because I was blind when I became six months old. If you try to explain legally blind they don’t get it. And lotta times if you tell them you blind just like you said they think you’re totally blind. And you’re absolutely correct they think you either cited or say nothing. They don’t understand there’s an in between. So you are correct on the money. Are use the word blind because I am blind I only have a small small tiny bit of light and that’s only close to my face that’s all I see. So yes I’m blind it’s where I am I can’t say I’m legally blind because I’m not I’m blind so you’re absolutely correct on the money.

[@sightlesshero1969]

In the UK it has been changed to sight impaired and severely sight impaired... I am totally blind and find the term visually impaired confusing as to me, it suggests there is some vision to be impaired, whereas blind suggests there is no useful vision. Silly really lol we are all part of the same community, that’s that xx

[@richjacobson1]

Thank you! The shirt explanation was brilliant. I deal with this questin daily. When my sight loss occurred a couple of years ago, I struggled to explain it to others. Am I blind ? Yes, legally. Can you see? Yes, but I can't. (@theblindlife thank you) What should I call you? I tend to use my name, the way my eyes work is not part of my name But what should I tell people when they meet you? Hopefully nice things We all use what works for us, and that can change by day, situation, mood... whatever you want. We shouldn't be judgey about what other people want to be called when describing themselves. We need to respect it and understand that works for them.

[@charlie6849]

The "descriptor" depends on the individual. I call myself visually impaired or partially sighted.

[@brendahodges]

That was good job dude couldn’t said it better myself personally don’t like the word blind because yes I can see some not much but I can still see some

[@chovihanni523]

i am legally blind with low vision. I too have been very comfused since i ecperienced this sight loss. TBI caused left homonymous hemianopsia. which means i have no left visual field at all, but ehat i still have is low vision...lol. so much misunderstanding from the sighted community

[@GloriaNak]

I like VIP. If I say I'm blind it confuses people because I do have usable sight. This is why I love my #It's Complicated shirt from Sam of The blind Life. :)

[@waylee264]

i identify myself as blind

[@danabelden4492]

I say legally blind