Blindness By: Courtney Harver

Blindness A lack of vision. It may also refer to a loss of vision that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Types: Complete blindness- cannot see anything including light. Partial blindness- very limited vision.

What does it look like? Eyes may appear glazed Eyes may constantly move Eyes may not open May have false eyes Eyes may look fine, but other tendencies (such as not focusing on objects) suggest blindness or eye problems May walk into things often

Blindness does NOT discriminate Total (all ages): 6,670,300 Total (16 to 75+): 6,211,700 Women: 3,411,000 Men: 2,800,700 Age 18 to 64: 3,412,900 Age 65 and older: 2,724,600 White: 4,802,600 (2.1%) Black/African American: 1,117,000 (2.9%) Hispanic: 1,079,900 (2.1%) Asian: 190,000 (1.2%) American Indian or Alaska Native: 95,600 (3.8%)

Causes and Treatment Genetics Diabetes High Blood Pressure Old Age Development issues Unfortunately there is not a cure for all blindness, yet, but there are some ways to help maintain vision as well as fix vision in some cases. Stem cell treatment Surgery Dietary Changes

Issues: Those who are born blind and those who lose their vision will face slightly different issues, but many overlap. Social Anxiety Depression Lack of independence Employment Issues Need for continuous care

Over Time Vision can be expected to worsen over time. Those who have already lost their vision will not get any worse, and will be more able to adjust to not being able to see than someone who is currently losing their vision.

Assistance Devices The most widely recognized assistive devices for people who are blind are braille, the sonar stick, and seeing eye dogs.

Leisure Music is extremely to people who are blind. It is their way of experiencing what they cannot through vision. Music therapy can be very positive for someone who is blind to help them with expression. Music can also be very powerful for individuals losing their vision to provide memories and associations of places they used to go with songs they used to hear.

Organizations There are many organizations for people who are blind and their families. These organizations work to improve the quality of life for individuals that are blind as well as advocate for them to the government. There are also a lot of great means of support through these organizations not only for the individual that is blind, but for their family.

The Courtesy Rules of Blindness Just so you know.. The Courtesy Rules of Blindness I'm an ordinary person, just blind. You don't need to raise your voice or address me as if I were a child. Don't ask my spouse what I want -- "Cream in the coffee?" -- ask me. I may use a long white cane or a guide dog to walk independently; or I may ask to take your arm. Let me decide, and please don't grab my arm; let me take yours. I'll keep a half-step behind to anticipate curbs and steps. I want to know who's in the room with me. Speak when you enter. Introduce me to the others. Include childen, and tell me if there's a cat or dog. The door to a room or cabinet or to a car left partially open is a hazard to me. At dinner I will not have trouble with ordinary table skills. Don't avoid words like "see." I use them, too. I'm always glad to see you. I don't want pity. But don't talk about the "wonderful compensations" of blindness. My sense of smell, touch, or hearing did not improve when I became blind. I rely on them more and, therefore, may get more information through those senses than you do - that's all. If I'm your houseguest, show me the bathroom, closet, dresser, window - the light switch, too. I like to know whether the lights are on. I'll discuss blindness with you if you're curious, but it's an old story to me. I have as many other interests as you do. Don't think of me as just a blind person. I'm just a person who happens to be blind.

If I could see would I want to? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wd5r8j8Y7uo