For the record......
I am colorblind, near-sighted, far-sighted and light sensitive. It's called INCOMPLETE MONOCHROMAT ROD SYNDROME. Don't worry if you've never heard of it, most eye doctors haven't either!!
It's a really rare form of Cone Dystropy. Don't ask, LOL!
It doesn't deteriorate! Which is great! Nor is it correctable by conventional means at this time. Which can be a major bummer at times. So close....and yet, so far away.
NO, I'm NOT legally blind. Close. But no cigar! Which has its advantages (for sure) but it also has its disadvantages, believe it or not. There's a tremendous prejudice out there fron both the sighted and VI communities.
I wear a special device to drive a car called a Bioptic*. Ten years ago my being able to drive was not even in the cards! Passing my daytime driving test was one of the PROUDEST moments in my life.
If all drivers had to go through what I went through, we'd have less drivers on the road and they sure as heck wouldn't take it for granted!
I also wear sunglasses or tinted contact lenses or both. Which caused no end of merciless taunting when I was kid and even some really crappy comments as an aduts from adults!!
The hardest part is the light thing and being colorblind. And the annoying, sometimes stupid and insensitive questions people ask. Yes, folks, I can read, watch movies, get around etc.
The colorblind thing is hard to explain. There are many varied forms of colorblindness, including one where you see NO color at all. That's not me. Plus it is VERY rare for women to be colorblind. ONLY one out 100,000 women are colorblind. Which is why some of my webpages may look at little...well....strange. But it doesn't stop me from designing, being an excellent fashion consultant, taking photographs, etc.
I will confess: I have "garanimals" tags in my clothes. I write the colors on the inside tags! And I'm not afraid to ask "what color is this?" My husband and family have learned to describe colors beautifully. I have an excellent color sense..... which make no sense!!
I was born blind and deaf and I am very grateful to be able to see and hear.
I know I"m a walking miracle.
No, the medical profession doesn't know what to do with me for the most part. So what if my vision isn't perfect? I am delighted with all that I can experience.
Life is good.
Back to ABOUT ME!
*Bioptic Driving Program
