Stargardt's Disease Is IN YOUR HEAD! Our BEST Advice On THRIVING (Not Coping) With Bad Vision

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Two Blind Brothers is a luxury clothing line on a mission to cure blindness. Founders Bradford and Bryan Manning were both diagnosed with an eye disease that causes blindness over time. This condition has inspired a special vigilance for details, a passion that carries over into the construction of their clothing line.
Be one of the first few to #EagleEye in the comments below for a chance to win a free Two Blind Brothers shirt of your choice! Try one out and #feelthedifference
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[@mahakhalil1]

I mostly agree with you, however, I think it is also important to add that, you know what? Sometimes you're not going to find these things funny, and sometimes it's going to hurt, and you will be sad or angry or whatever. And it is OK to feel these things from time to time. It would be a disaster if someone is unable at times to be positive and then just beats themselves up for not being positive…

[@wendybryan9857]

You are allowed to grieve. Feel your feelings yell scream get upset and be angry. Take the time you need to do that. Then get up dust yourself off and never give upon whay you want out of life. No matter what that is. Where there is a will there is a way to do it. I don't have stargards but I am blind. I lost the ability to have correction to better than 20/400 at 40. Before that I always had bad vision but it was corrected to 20/70. I never knee it could get so bad. Be glad that you know and can help your love one prepare. I would have done something I never did in my life if I had known.

[@lucybrady4841]

Thank you for this! I have pathological myopia and have been many names it used to be “handicapped” then “partially sighted” then “low visual” I went to a school fo handicapped children and was in the sign saving class- now their us mainstreaming. Thank you for talking about the spectrum. I am in my 70s now and facing more sight loss. Laughter can be healing and we do that a lot in our family. Learning to ask for what I need is so important. I have had a full career as a pastor and people were always willing to help. I needed to tell them what I needed. Educating other people can be exhausting. I always say, “If I need help, I will ask.” And “Please don’t pull me” I live you speaking about the gifts we receive and give because of my limited sight. I have great vision!

[@TwoBlindBrothers]

So great to hear! You are our inspiration!

[@tarotwithlyramoon]

I was diagnosed 16 years ago and never dealt with it. This was the first video that woke me up. Too bad about the career prospects since the virus wiped out the economy. I hope it doesn’t come to the point where we have to go out and shoot our food because if we do, we’re screwed.

[@TwoBlindBrothers]

Thank you for reaching out Natasha! We thrive on hope and the positive so we are really confident we will bounce back!

[@tarotwithlyramoon]

Two Blind Brothers I agree it’s important to have hope and stay positive but it’s also critical to stay informed and be prepared. Side note. What if you weren’t lucky? What if your parents weren’t supportive? What if they believed in the limitations and reinforced them on you? What if your disability was so shameful to your father that he stopped having a relationship with you even after 16 years? What if all those things happen and you were never told you were capable or good enough to even try? You would be me. When I watched this and when you spoke of how your parents fought for you, pushed for you. It blew my mind. I had never lived that so the thought of it being possible completely threw me off. Well anyway sorry for the rant. I hope you and your family stay safe and healthy during these crazy days. ♥️

[@grekomancia8559]

This is true, sometimes I actually feel dumb because I can't read small print. But I try to remind myself that no, I can read it but it is just too small. My family and friends do try to be understanding but sometimes they get annoyed because they think I'm being lazy, that I don't want to read. I just remind then hey I really can't see it so just help me out a little

[@TwoBlindBrothers]

Thank you for telling us about yourself! You sound like an incredibly brave and focused young lady! We absolutely love hearing from people who have gone through similar challenges as we have or have loved ones that have. Science and technology have advanced so much over the last few years that we really are confident that finding a cure is not a question of IF but it's a question of when. It means so much to us to receive your message and for your words of encouragement! Your support means the world to us! ❤️❤️

[@danielatorres8913]

Hello! I’m a 42 year old mother of a boy who is 11, and has been diagnosed with Stargard. We live in Ecuador in South America, and we’re travelling to Miami, to Bascom Palmer Clinic to be sure about the diagnose. You have given me some hope... I truly feel devastated and don’t know what to do...

[@TwoBlindBrothers]

Thank you so much for telling us about him! Stories like yours keep us focused to continue our fight to find a cure for all visual impairment! Let us know how he is!

[@hetalip.3347]

You are so right.. I faced almost all the awkward moments till now. People are not that kind most of the time, but I motivate my self and honestly, also do self doubt. And I do believe that hiding it drives to lonely life. This video helped me a lot. Thank you.

[@TwoBlindBrothers]

That makes us so proud! You are our inspiration!

[@PACAPELLI]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Sharing your story as people who have thrived with stargardts disease is especially for those who have been newly diagnosed (and their families).❤️

[@TwoBlindBrothers]

Thank you Theresa! We love hearing from you!

[@KennethBSmith]

Most excellent, Bros. Yes: Self Esteem. I have never heard anyone discuss this. Yet it is foremost on our minds. You make great observations and recommendations. The words that describe me are Impaired, Disease, Degenerating, Disability. They all say “inferior." I don’t accept that. It took too long to resolve that, but now I tell people, "In your wold I may be impaired but in my world I am Normal and you have Super Powers. I was diagnosed in my late 40’s, 25 years ago with Stargardts but it did not kick in until about five years ago. That is when I stopped driving. Every year is worse. I mention this because my history is a bit different. Like you, most people get Stargardts in their early teens. For me, it started after I had a career as a graphic designer in NYC and a family. Now I am going through the psychological challenges you address so well, in addition to the deep sense of loss of activities very enjoyed and valued. BTW: My wife is a clinical psychologist (also with a nice voice). We watched this together. She agrees: You are brilliant!

[@TwoBlindBrothers]

We love hearing from you! You are absolutely or inspiration! And both you and your wife are brilliant!

[@marthaoliver5585]

thank you for sharing your positive attitude.

[@TwoBlindBrothers]

Thank you for supporting us! We couldn't be so positive without all the support and kind words! It really makes our day! Stay safe and well!

[@reinardusjoseph1017]

Your videos are amazing thank you for sharing this

[@reinardusjoseph1017]

Your advice is very helpful thank you for sharing this

[@paulbats6996]

A rather naive summary of the psychological effect of SD. I am 65 and was diagnosed 10 years ago. I can still function fairly normally. But things are getting noticeably worse. 5 years from now I am likely to be legally blind. I will have to give up driving, which I am dreading. I live alone and have no family support and few friends to rely on. I am retired and comfortable financially, but instead of looking forward to a long retirement I have to face this. I love to travel and am a lifelong photographer, neither of which I will be able to do for much longer. I will become increasingly isolated and not be able to go anywhere. This is reality for some of us. And boy am I angry about that!

[@aidenpike1974]

I have it and probally will never drive and honestly have not ever felt broken or like im hopeless and I hope no one else does

[@aidenpike1974]

It was nice to hear that im not the only one

[@mariiaro9216]

How are you now? Please make some new videos 🙏

[@portalesrodriguez1349]

Hi im in the same page

[@TwoBlindBrothers]

Great to hear! Your support means the world to us!

[@freizeitgeist1917]

Good video, but for those of us diagnosed later in life (I was 21), it's an entirely different experience. I lost my career (military) and had to start completely over with whatever shreds of self-esteem I could scrape up. I think things are easier when bad things happen when you are younger. It sounds bad, but I think it's an advantage.

[@TwoBlindBrothers]

Excellent feedback! Thank you for sharing!

[@Devork35]

Hello Brian and Brat! I’ve been diagnosed 4 weeks ago with stargardts disease (29.j) and to be honest, since then my world is crumbling down. I am a really passionate and creative designer and artist who is now starting to feel the symptoms which will lead to the loss of my sight - a process that, to be honest - is terrifying me. Watching your videos and hearing your story’s is giving me a lot of courage - I really thank you a lot for that! You inspire me and I am thinking of also starting a KZbin channel on this topic and how to still be visually creative despite this disease. Maybe we can have a chat or call someday, to exchange experiences with each other. Thank you a lot guys and please keep up this good work. Many greetings from Germany, David

[@TwoBlindBrothers]

David you are absolutely our inspiration to keep fighting! Stay strong! Your ideas for a KZbin channel are terrific! Definitely do it!

[@KennethBSmith]

David, I am an artist and designer who has been making art for almost 50 years. My late onset Stargardts kicked in about 2 years ago and is continuing to get worse. My challenge now is making new art. I may Call this new series Lemonade.We should talk.

[@Devork35]

@@KennethBSmith Hey Kennen! That sounds great. Love to hear from you... Lemonade.. sounds really interesting! Lets get in touch with each other - Do you have a website or LinkedIn? I am working on my Site right now. Can post it here as soon as it´s online - there you have all the information to get in contact with me. Yellow sounds like a really good color to start with all this :D

[@KennethBSmith]

@@Devork35 My website is kennethbsmith.com. Check it out. You can email here: [e-mail]. What is your email? I don't want you to be filtered out.

[@Anubissia]

It helps that brother Brad got a Master's in Psychology? I just got diagnosed with Stargardt's & im worried I will have to give up my path of Forensic Behavioral Science. Should I just give up? Will I be able to even do the work I want to do? Im so worried all my college work is for nothing. -_-

[@TwoBlindBrothers]

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us! No, please do not give up! Challenging yourself to overcome obstacles is something we truly believe in. Technology has come so far recently and there are workarounds for a lot of things!

[@Anubissia]

@@TwoBlindBrothers Hey! Youre welcome Thank you alot. Its true, I hope were getting.closure to treatments/cures. There have been alot of advances lately in the medical field. I am trying not to give up. Ty guys so much!