When trying to decide what kinds of help and support you need, it’s helpful to begin by listing the day-to-day difficulties you’re having. Make note of which problems are – and are not – related to your vision loss:
Be sure to include your family members and friends and ask if they have additional concerns or observations that you are not aware of. When discussing how to cope with vision loss, it's important that you talk about your fears and feelings and help your family and friends adjust to your vision loss while maintaining your own independence.
After you complete this exercise, you can begin to look for the kinds of help and support you need. You'll also begin to understand what you can do to cope with these changes in your vision.
You may find it helpful to share your feelings with a close family member or friend, a professional counselor, your family doctor, or a religious or spiritual leader. You can also reach out to a vision loss support group [1], explore vision rehabilitation self-study courses [2], or speak with a professional staff member at a vision rehabilitation agency [3].
For more information about any of these options, see Find Services [10] on this web site.
Links:
[1] http://www.visionaware.org/vision-loss-support-group
[2] http://www.visionaware.org/support-groups-self-help
[3] http://www.visionaware.org/find_vision_rehabilitation_vision_services_in_your_state
[4] http://www.visionaware.org/talking_about_your_feelings
[5] http://www.visionaware.org/national_organizations
[6] http://www.visionaware.org/low-vision-occupation-support-group
[7] http://www.visionaware.org/vision_rehabilitation_services
[8] http://www.visionaware.org/elder_services
[9] http://www.visionaware.org/searchable_databases
[10] http://www.visionaware.org/find_services
[11] http://www.visionaware.org/ls_s_group
[12] http://www.visionaware.org/hearmore_products
[13] http://www.visionaware.org/the_league_for_the_hard_of_hearing
[14] http://www.visionaware.org/helen_keller_national_center_for_deaf_blind_youths
[15] http://www.visionaware.org/are_there_special_hearing_aids_for_people_who_have_hearing_and_vision_loss
[16] http://www.visionaware.org/information_for_family_friends_and_caregivers
[17] http://www.visionaware.org/i_used_to_enjoy_meeting_people_but_since_my_vision_loss_i_m_not_as_confident_how_long_will_this_phase_last
[18] http://www.visionaware.org/Dialogue-in-the-Dark
[19] http://www.visionaware.org/share-VisionAWARE-by-email
[20] http://www.visionaware.org/caregiving_daughters_dilema_vision_impaired_parent
[21] http://www.visionaware.org/nanopac_inc
[22] http://www.visionaware.org/assistech_special_needs
[23] http://www.visionaware.org/independent_living_aids_inc
[24] http://www.visionaware.org/Vision-Rehabilitation-Therapist-Techniques
[25] http://www.visionaware.org/as_someone_who_cares_low_vision_impaired
[26] http://www.visionaware.org/share_the_vision
[27] http://www.visionaware.org/red_rock_center_for_independence
[28] http://www.visionaware.org/options_for_independence
[29] http://www.visionaware.org/ID-Commission-Blind-Visually-Impaired
[30] http://www.visionaware.org/blind_artists_society
[31] http://www.visionaware.org/blindconnect_inc
[32] http://www.visionaware.org/john_a_moran_eye_center_at_the_university_of_utah