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Visually impaired and depression

I’ve been visually impaired for nearly a year, I get out and about using a cane, but I get so low as so many people just walk in front of me without seeing my disability and I get so embarrassed as I say in visually impaired and please be careful and give me some space to get around and then I get so many dirty looks and leaves me feeling like I should be stuck inside
Replies
Have you thought of having counselling to discuss your visual impairment? I know RNIB offer sessions free of charge that can be online via instant messaging, phone call or Skype. It may also be worth seeing your GP. I hope you continue to use the community and we will support you the best we can. If you feel really low then please do reach out to Samaritans or Mind.
I hope you have a lovely day and please let me know if there is anything else that I can do to help
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Counselling, or at least having someone to talk to, is vital at this point. That could be formal counselling or joining any forums run by the charity/ire which support your specific VI. Also have a look at who runs Living With Sight Loss courses in your area and book yourself on. Lots of good info and people going through the exact same thing as you. Also read up on the stages of grief. You’ll recognise a lot of that in yourself.
I would also query what’s going on with the cane. In 2 years I’ve yet to get a dirty look. Shock, late recognition, lots of dramatic swerving (from others, not me) and lots of kind offers of help which I sometimes need and sometimes don’t. Two people have bent my cane; said sorry and walked off leaving me to replace it. Never had a dirty look though so you’ve either been incredibly unlucky or it’s more a reflection of where you are psychologically than what’s actually taking place. People feared for me getting a symbol cane and felt it would make me a target. Far from it. It’s a protection. If it’s not that for you then that’s yelling out at me that you need to meet people like you and get talking.
Disability Gamechanger - 2019
I have been visually impaired all my life and I can totally to this.
I didn't become fully aware of my imapirments until I was 18. When I found out, I hit rock bottom. I researched and asked all the questions, although the hardest part was accepting it. I did not start to come to terms with it until my early 30s.
I still have my down days. You are not alone.
CSno1
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