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From: Vixen@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.org (Vixen)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: HELLO!
Message-ID: <12769@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 17 Jul 90 19:28:26 GMT
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Index Number: 9166

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi Jerry,

I noted in your message to Carl, that he was the first person you have
met with the same cause of Blindness as yourself. I can understand
that, since Juvenile Macular Degeneration is not very common.

I thought I would let you know that you and Carl are not alone here
though. Yep, there are at least three of us in this echo now. I also
have early onset macular degeneration and have had it for about nine
years and it is quite advanced.

While I have met a few people who have the same diagnosis, I rarely
meet anyone who has had it as long as I have.  My vision is beyond
20/2400 in both eyes (which of course) makes me more than legally blind
heheh.

I do still have some useable peripheral vision and I am able to
perceive light and colour, though the colour has to be close up and I
see shape, even if fuzzy or blurred. I do travel with a long cane
though and I am tentativley scheduled for a Septemeber class as San
Rafael Guide dog school. I also have a degenerative hearing loss.

I remember in the earlier stages of my blindness, when I was pretty
much just print and distance blind, and they determined I had "early
Mac degen" as they called it, all the Opthalmologists and retinal
specialists I saw seemed to be having a field day poking and prodding
and ruuning tests. I recall little things like being called a "rare
bug" and things like that. Now I guess I am just a blind bug.

How long have you had your Mac Degen and how far has your vision gone.
The only friend I know out here who has Mac Degen can still see well
enough to ride a bicycle and do things like that.

Anyway, I just thought I would tell you hello and let you know there
was someone here with heavy duty macular degeneration heheheheh! My
docs said at my last exam that my poor macs looked like they belonged
in an 87 year old lady and believe me, I have a long long long long
long long way to go before I am that old!!

Like you I do have some colour blindness, although I am not sure what
kind, all I know is that when I could read colour test things, I used
to fail. I am also very light senesitive as well. When I go out into
sunlight my eyes hurt and force closed and it does not go away after I
have been out for a few minutes, I must wear dark glasses in almost all
bright light, even indoors. Also, outside light hurts me on those days
when there is no sun at all, but it still glares.

So, nope, see you are not alone, you are just part of a small club. HOw
advanced or how long have you had Mac Degen?

Keepin' the faith!

.                           Vixen

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