Living in a sighted world
As a low vision person, I am aware that the creation of the world was designed with me in mind as well as those who have different degrees of one or more of our five senses. I enjoy the parts of the world that have become known to me through my heart, mind and spirit, but also through the use of my four and a half senses. I have found a beautiful world filled with love adventure, and unpredictability.
The polarization that exists in the physical world provides for me, and for everyone, including the sighted and totally blind, to bring ourselves into balance. I believe it is my responsibility to bring my body, mind and spirit in balance each day through the habits I have developed regardless of my low vision.
I have yet to come across a vending machine where I can say “Alexa, dispense a can of Pepsi”, or a self-checkout cash register equipped with text to speech capability to read back what was scanned. ATM machines at banks are particularly unfriendly to low vision users. I must have memorized the electronic menu as well as the keypad or I will find myself inside explaining to a teller that the machine grabbed my card and won’t give it back. Examples like these abound.
It is at times like these that I must be patient in faith. God’s timing, not mine, always works for the best. It is by thriving to reach the full potential of my purpose for life, as well as my service to others, that defines me as who I am and why I am alive. I am neither defined by my low vision living, nor trapped in the moments of a world that does not seem to bend to uniqueness. It is more how I respond to those moments that define me. Prioritizing the blessings I receive from those who are family and friends carries me through the adventures of life. I could expect or look for the collective culture to put into place all the unique accommodations that would make my life easier, but I know that isn’t realistic. There is a comfort and stability built into having a home environment more tailored to my uniqueness. Each home is different, tailored to the individuals or family that reside in it. In shared public spaces, what is best for the collective often defines how things work; in the home, the needs and desires of the individuals make more of a difference. It is in that place of the domestic family that I find security and constancy, while I reach out to the greater world for experience and adventure.