#partial blindness

[blindbeta]

Hello, I've been looking through all the links in your pinned post, but just to be sure, is it okay if I ask a few questions regarding on 2 of my prominent characters?

1) One of my characters' eyesight had been degrading since they were young, and though they now take special antiobiotics and treatment to prevent further loss of vision, they're only able to perceive shadows, light, and colors (which largely depends on contrast and lighting of the surroundings). Their cane is their main mobility aid in day-to-day life, but when in combat, they use a device similar to the Focus from Horizon: Zero Dawn. Moving targets like enemies or allies are highlighted/outlined with bright colors to indicate where they are, the colors symbolizing who they are. The device is also capable of scanning text or objects and transcribing them in audio form through an earpiece. I've done my best to research how my character's device can be useful for their lifestyle, but not negate or make their blindness an easily bypassed part of their life, but I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.

2) One of my characters has partial blindess caused by a serious injury to the left side of their face. Their injured eye can only perceive some light and shadow, which affects their depth perception quite a bit. Relying on only one eye has caused strain on their uninjured eye, so they have nearsightedness and need glasses to prevent further damage. This character felt more comfortable to write for me because I'm also nearsighted, although to a lesser degree than my character, and my glasses are mostly to protect my eyes from worsening. So far, I've used my own habits and experiences to describe my character's, but since they are partially blind (which they compensate for by memorizing or mapping out their surroundings, training and practice to determine actual distance, and guides (family and close friends)), my own experiences are hardly enough to make my character seem more realistic. I'd like to ask if there are any mistakes I've made with writing them?

For the first one, I suggest adapting already-existing technology, such as the OrCam MyEye or the Sunu Band. OrCam is worn on glasses and is a device that can already detect surroundings and read text. It can also tell you when someone you know is approaching, such as a neighbor whose face the device recognizes. I don’t know how accurate it is, but I find it helpful to acknowledge that some of these gadgets already exist for realism and accuracy. They are not made up devices that might hypothetically help blind people; they are real and usually invented by people in the blind community themselves.

You can explain that you modeled it after the OrCam or it could be a specialized version of it that includes other features. Color coded enemies and teammates also seems plausible considering OrCam’s recognition feature.

Here is a video demonstrating the OrCam My Eye Pro. You can also go to their website here or look them up on YouTube for more videos.

Please note that some of the features can be found elsewhere or replaced with techniques. For example, someone who folds or organizes their money a certain way or uses a money reader probably wouldn’t need the money identification part of the product. Certain people will like certain features more than others, which could also provide characterization.

While this product is not an option for everyone due to the price, it may be accessible in the scenario you described.

You can also avoid negating their blindness by showing how it impacts them in other ways. A few examples may include navigation techniques, lighting preferences, home layout, assistive devices used at home, how they choose to read (audiobooks, trying to find Braille books they like that are actually available), eye strain, sensory issues, stimulation seeking, interactions with the blind community, sports and activities, etc.

Glasses for protection and the other stuff you outlined sounds good to me.

I love that they use a cane during the day, but what about orientation and navigating uneven ground? I ask because the technology you plan to use during combat scenes wouldn’t help with locating uneven ground or steps.

Could they use the cane for navigating in combat?

While on the subject, a Sunu band might also be helpful. It detects objects at and above waist level. However, it is not a replacement for a cane.

As for your second character, eye strain and fatigue are absolutely going to happen as you described. Your character might sometimes cover their injured eye to reduce strain. They may also need more frequent breaks from use of their uninjured eye, such as when reading or doing desk work.

Taking breaks from screens helps. Managing lighting also helps, such as having enough light to avoid strain, although nothing too harsh. For migraines or eye pain, they might carry medication. At home, they can use hot or cold compresses in addition to eye masks to rest their eyes.

So far, what you have described sounds good. Your own experience should be useful in writing this character. However, I also suggest considering how they navigate stairs and uneven ground when walking. Another common obstacle that arises for people with no depth perception is accidentally dropping cups. To circumvent this, it is helpful to use high contrast, avoid glass, and/or intentionally set the cup on the counter before releasing it.

Lastly, I wanted to add that people with partial vision will often be expected or pressured to rely on it. This character might need to self-advocate, as they could still benefit from audio descriptions, screen-readers, and other assistive technology.

If anyone else has ideas, feel free to share in the notes.

Hope this helps.

[tpwk1321]

Chapters: 1/? Fandom: Outer Banks (TV) Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: JJ Maybank & John B. Routledge, Sarah Cameron & JJ Maybank, Kiara "Kie" Carrera/JJ Maybank, Pope Heyward/JJ Maybank, Cleo & JJ Maybank, Sarah Cameron/John B. Routledge, Cleo/Pope Heyward, Rafe Cameron & Sarah Cameron Characters: JJ Maybank, John B. Routledge, Sarah Cameron, Pope Heyward, Cleo (Outer Banks), Rafe Cameron, Original Routledge Character(s) (Outer Banks) Additional Tags: JJ Maybank Needs a Hug, Hurt JJ Maybank, Pogues (Outer Banks), Poguelandia | The Desert Island (Outer Banks), John B. Routledge Needs a Hug, Sarah Cameron Needs a Hug, Sarah Cameron & JJ Maybank Friendship, JJ Maybank Loves Kiara "Kie" Carrera, Married Sarah Cameron/John B. Routledge, Parents Sarah Cameron/John B. Routledge, JJ Maybank Needs Love, P4L | Pogues For Life (Outer Banks), Found Family, JJ Maybank & John B. Routledge are Best Friends, Survival, Airplane Crashes, Hurt/Comfort, Hurt, Wheelchairs, Paralysis, Blood and Injury, Major Character Injury, Permanent Injury, Disability, Physical Disability, Scars, Insecurity, Trauma, Friendship, Crash Landing, Angst, Rafe Cameron Redemption, Rafe Cameron Needs a Hug, Blindness, JJ Maybank Lives Summary:

Months after finding the blue crown, the Pogues return to poguelandia, the island they once called paradise, hoping for a vacation to celebrate their win after all the treasure hunting. But when a plane crash lands JJ Maybank in a world where he can no longer move, sarah Cameron in a world where she has to life with severe burns on her face, and Rafe Cameron in a world with partial blindness, their plans unravel. Stranded and fighting for survival, they must navigate the crushing weight of loss, love, and the struggle to hold on to each other.

[loud-sound]

july's artistree prompt: disability awareness month!

it was gonna be more ambitious with all of my disabled oc's, but artfight and an animation challenge made me dial it back to these two lol <3

[demaparbat-hp]

The Perfect Prince

[brutussecondincommand]

operation super silver is a GO. shadow may have been a failure, but whats the harm in trying again haha

[room-temperature-orange-juice]

One head cannon I have with Odysseus and Athena’s relationship, for Epic specifically, is that Athena has like. God radiation? If that makes sense?

Like, by being around Athena, Odysseus gets slowly but surely affected. Not necessarily negatively, but for example, over the 20ish years Odysseus is Athena’s student, his nose gets more sharp and owl-like. He gets a little more aware at dusk and dawn. His fingernails get harder and sharper. You see the vision?

This idea gets funnier if you think of the prospect of a young Odysseus trying to hide it / dealing with puberty while also becoming a bird dude.

Polites: Hey do you know any remedies for break-outs? My skin’s been super oily recently.

Odysseus: your skin’s been oily? Huh. Idk anything for that but if you need help with the scales I figured-

Polites: Scales?

Odysseus: Yeah? The scales you get on your hands and stuff. They’re hard to dig out around the claws

Polites, a normal 14 year old:

Odysseus “what do you mean worms don’t look appetizing to you” of Ithaka:

[astro-naut9]

wishing stars stanley:3

[sysig]

Blind side (Patreon)

[carnagesaw]

numa disability stuff ive been meaning to write down for like a year now LOL

[raccooninapartyhat]

I think probably everyone who knew me can attest to how much more confident I am now that I:

a) know I'm blind, since despite being blind since birth nobody knew until I was in my 20s

b) accept that I am in fact blind, and not just stupid or inattentive or lazy

c) accommodate my blindness in my daily life and don't bother to perform sightedness for them, and

d) use a white cane! holy shit that thing is revolutionary. I didn't know the world was so pretty until I was finally able to look up from the ground and see how amazing everything looks.

Like I cannot begin to explain how much this has changed and improved my life. It's been amazing to feel like I'm not failing at being human. It's been incredible to reach the end of a day and not feel like I want to gouge my own eyes out from the pain of eyestrain. It's been fantastic to finally feel like I understand myself and what's happening around me, all because someone finally figured out something was off and someone else gave me permission to be blind.

[vampfeminine]

ೀㅤㅤ(Blind) Bat

A flag for those who are visually impaired in any way. Whether that be nearsighted, farsighted, colorblind, completely or almost blind, etc. Intended for those whose bad vision is more severe but anyone without perfect vision is free to use.

Name taken from the phase "blind as a bat".

ㅤི༏⠀ ͏ ͏ ͏DNI : Basic dni, non-traumagenic systems, anti-paraphilias, transIDs, radqueers, anti-good faith, narc abuse believers, anti-self diagnosis.

Alt text:

[PT: blind bat. a flag for those who are visually impaired in any way. whether that be nearsighted, farsighted, colorblind, completely or almost blind, etc. intended for those whose bad vision is more severe but anyone without perfect vision can use. /END PT]

[mitochondria-larson]

Zuko doodle from my school agenda just because

[microknife-daily]

13 and 14, Happy Pride Month(s)!

[demaparbat-hp]

Darker times will come and go

Times you need to see her smile

And mothers' hearts are warm and mild

I would rather feel this world through the skin of a child

—AURORA; Through the Eyes of a Child

[squirebingus]

Swag

If the colors are off no they arent

[corpsedisturbed]

partially blind partially deaf autistic zuko my beloved