Have you taken the time to meet with a support group to help with answers for raising a pet, cooking new and exotic dishes for dinner, getting tips for an art project? Support groups and meet-ups happen all over the country for these kind of ideas. One look at http://www.meetup.org can get you going in the mainstream world.
What about sharing with others about your blindness or, if not blind yourself, your interest in living with sight loss? A recent podcast from the Hadley School shares Kendra’s story about finding ways of living with low-vision. Check it out here.
Most centers for independent living have support groups we can meet others who share some degree of sight loss. For example, the League for the Blind where I live in Fort Wayne, IN can give information for a group that meets twice a month. Other similar groups meet around the country, some of which we feature on our updates from The Lighthouse For The Blind’s calendar of events.
Outreach centers hosted by churches around the country also help bring us togehter face to face. Isn’t it good to get out from time to time? Many of these groups have volunteers that pick up attendees to monthly meals and to enjoy some form of entertainment or to play a game togehter. You can learn more about Outreach Centers here and see if one is in your area. If there is not, get in touch with Pastor Dave Andrus here and he can set you on the path to getting one started.
With summer upon us, have you or someone you know thought of attending a camp for those who are blind or low-vision? Yes, such camps are geared for kids, families, or just adults. Perhaps one of the most famous is Enchanted Hills which the San Francisco Lighthouse supports. There you won’t lack for things to do as adaptive sports for the blind, water activities like swimming and canoeing, and horseback riding can keep you hopping. All the while, you get to meet others who get to share their stories and questions just as you can share yours with them. Go here, here, and here, to find other camps around the country where you can make connections while building lasting friendships.
So let’s get connected, learn from one another, and step out with confidence as we navigate life’s contours.
Boldly Blind 