Can A Blind Person Live A Normal Life? - The Blind Guide

Can a blind person live a normal life? Thriving with vision loss must include thriving through sports whether it be running a marathon or horseshoes. The power is getting outside and getting that heart beating at least a little faster.

My belief is a blind person can live a normal life, and even thrive. Thriving through sports is moving towards the top of my Thriving Index. Perhaps it fits into Level III, Do what you did before vision loss? People ask if a blind person can live a normal life. The important thing about thriving through sports is it fits under the discretionary category. After vision loss, you almost have to return to doing ADL’s (see Resources below) unless you can afford and can be content with full-time assistance. Walking, bathing, and eating are essential elements of everyday life. Perhaps you could call them a normal life. My question is whether that’s enough. And my emphatic answer is NO!

What if you don’t like sports? That just means your normal life definition is different.

Before I go on, let’s stay with which level represents thriving with sports.

For many, I do think Level III is the right choice. But, are there exceptions? What if you never participated in sports? Perhaps there’s no need to include them. The choice is yours but here’s one very important reason to consider sports. With vision loss, there may be a natural tendency to be less active. And that’s the wrong choice. Staying active contributes to your overall health and confidence. You don’t have to become a marathon runner. Just go for a walk, a short swim, toss a ball.

Or How ABout A Farmer Workout?

This is a term my wife and I have used over the years. We were referring to yard work, house cleaning, car washing, or similar activities. These are required tasks. Many people pay others to do them. Those same people then may pay a trainer at their local gym. Why not do the chores yourself. Much more of a full-body workout and you’re saving money. I can also spend a whole day with yard work. I could never workout in the gym all day. So you’re burning a lot more calories.

By the way, there is a “farmer workout” (see Resources below). But it’s still a gym-based activity.

Can a blind person live a normal life? Their answer: I want to do what I’ve always done with my friends…

When I lived in Pennsylvania, I served on the Board of an association for the blind (see Resource below). One of the consumer comments struck me very powerfully. We were discussing the many activities our organization provided for people who were visually impaired. The person said:

“I don’t want to socialize with a bunch of people who are blind. I want to do what I’ve always done with my friends.”

A bit more ambitious but so logical. Thriving through sports fits that sentiment perfectly. I would still want to play golf with my friends even if I lost my vision. If I loved music, then I would still want to play in the community orchestra or band.

Aside from the logic of “playing with your friends”, it’s the discretionary element that I think is most important. I don’t have to play sports to survive but it’s essential if I want to thrive. Vision loss is a big bump in the road but it isn’t a death sentence. Two elements are essential in thriving through sports. The most important element is a positive spirit. The willingness to learn a new way of doing things and to battle through challenges. Secondly, and only slightly less important, is the need for a supportive caregiver network. Armed with those two things, almost anything is possible. Check out these examples.

Is Golf part of your normal life? I have some good news!

Did you know there is a blind golfer’s association (see Resources below)? I love golf and, if I lost my vision, would hope there would be a way to continue playing. Jokes abound about blind golfers. Most center on playing at night but the Blind Golf Association is not a joke. This is an organization that has created golfing opportunities for blind golfers since 1953. A sighted player is paired with a blind golfer. The best part is that both players have the opportunity to play some very special courses. In many regions, private golf courses open their doors one or more times a year. Even better, both players can often play for free, a great deal for both.

Hockey

I’m not a hockey player but certainly recognize it as an intense sport and great exercise. Blind hockey (see Resources below) started in Canada sometime around 1980. As you might imagine, the puck design has evolved over the last several decades. Most recently, it was a steel puck with ball bearings. Apparently, it was quite effective unless it stopped moving. Then sighted intervention might be required. The newest innovation looks exactly like a standard puck with two exceptions. It’s twice as large and continuously emits a sound. Some cool engineering was required to develop an electronics package that could withstand the cold and impact. Another barrier down.

Goalball

Although I wasn’t previously aware of goalball (see Resources below), it is not a new sport. Goalball is the most popular team sport for the blind and visually impaired. The sport originated in 1946 when Austrian Hanz Lorrenzen and German Sett Reindle developed the game as a way to keep blinded WWII veterans physically active. Goalball has since become the premier team sport for blind athletes and is played competitively in 112 countries.

PIN IT

Today’s focus has been thriving through Sports but I am also a music lover so will close with something for all of the musicians who are blind. How about a haptic baton, which would make it easier for people who are blind to play in orchestras.

How about you? What is your answer? Can a blind person live a normal life? How do you thrive with blindness? If you have a special story, I’d love to feature you.

Resources

• ADL’s
• Farmer Workout
• Association for the blind
• Blind golfer’s association
• Blind hockey
• Goalball