So I'm going blind...

[Motep]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retinitis_pigmentosa

It is what the eye doctor is telling me, anyways, from my descriptions of the symptoms. He referred me to someone with more expertise, and I am hoping he is wrong. If he was not wrong, I guess I could get a good estimate on the whens and ifs.

I cannot imagine it being very easy to be blind.

[Vuk]

That sucks man. I hope for you that that does not happen.

[Husar]

Agree with Vuk, doesn't sound good, let's hope the doc is wrong.

[TinCow]

Hopefully the expert will give you good news. Even if it is retinitis pigmentosa, there's hope though. That condition is caused by problems with the eye itself, which means that a visual prosthesis would work for you. The technology is still primitive and experiemental, but it has advanced enough that early versions are already available to the public, albeit at a high price. After another 10 to 20 years of improvements, they will certainly become significantly cheaper and more advanced. It's entirely possible you could end up with an implant that gives you 20/20 vision and night vision as well.

[gollum]

I am sorry to hear this and i wish you the best for going through it if indeed it does happen; it certainly won't be easy.

It may sound strange, but in a way it will open up a whole new world to you, as you won't be relying on appearances as much to communicate with others and most importantly with yourself. You'll listen to your thuoghts, and so thought patterns more through it and come to know your self and others better. Having to put up with all the regret feelings and comparing yourself to others sobconsciously "why did it had to happen to me?!", "if i could only see!" etc will also teach you a lot if you make yourself open to receive the teaching that facing up to circumstances you can't possibly alter gives.

Originally posted by Hermann Hesse
Whatever good or bad fortune may come our way we can always give it meaning and transform it into something of value.

And not as wishful thinking, i would add, but real value.

Courage and good luck.

[Centurion1]

im praying but i dont need too. Im sure your fine!

[gaelic cowboy]

Sorry to hear it man I hope the consultant gives you good news in the end, still reading wiki seems like it can be delayed through treatment so you never know they may work something out in time eventually.

[Andres]

I'm sorry to hear that Motep.

I'll keep my thumbs up for you and hope that the specialists will say that your doctor is wrong.

[HopAlongBunny]

Sorry to hear that.

Hopefully the specialist will find that your doctor is wrong.

[Motep]

Wont find out for a while, anyways. Need to wrangle up some change.

[The Stranger]

i think i have the same thing :S

[Scienter]

Definitely see a specialist, sometimes more general doctors will see a diagnosis of something serious when it's not. Definitely pull out all the stops to see the best specialist you can find.

[a completely inoffensive name]

Look on the bright side, when you have to walk with the cane, no one will sue you for harassment if you grab their butt. "I'm sorry, I was reaching for X."

[Motep]

Look on the bright side, when you have to walk with the cane, no one will sue you for harassment if you grab their butt. "I'm sorry, I was reaching for X."

Yeah, but then I have find the butt and verify gender, or it just wont be worth it.

[a completely inoffensive name]

Yeah, but then I have find the butt and verify gender, or it just wont be worth it.

Nah, you won't care. The thrill of breaking social norms will be more than enough. Also, if I remember correctly from my Science 101 class, when one of your senses goes out the others become superman strength. You shouldn't be having trouble because your brain will compensate by recognizing pheromones with better smell and recognizing adams apples with increased hearing.

[PershsNhpios]

I have been watching this with interest, Motep.

... I just wrote a large post trying to explain what I feared in blindness, deafness or similar incapacitating injury, and what I have imagined I would try to do if such a thing was to be suffered. But I realised that it was not helpful to someone in your position, and so I just want to say that I sympathise, and that I believe if one can be fatalistic and accepting of all things, he can control and measure his happiness and unhappiness. He can with his mind remove from all events of life both advantages and disadvantages, and restore or withhold these separately and at will.

Good luck, and please tell us what happens next.

[Jaguara]

...so I just want to say that I sympathise, and that I believe if one can be fatalistic and accepting of all things, he can control and measure his happiness and unhappiness. He can with his mind remove from all events of life both advantages and disadvantages, and restore or withhold these separately and at will.

Very well said