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The visually impaired are the second largest
group of disabled people in the United States.
Despite this fact, for the most part, the public--both
lay and professional--is unaware of the myriad
problems faced by those who have reduced vision.
One of the most neglected and misunderstood
groups of the disabled suffer from visual impairment,
but are not totally blind. Until recently the
needs of those who are "A Little Bit Blind"
were mostly ignored by the general public as
well as most professionals.
Much remains to be done to enlighten the world
about vision in order to remove many misconceptions.
It is mainly through this educational approach
that those who live with limited vision are
able to rise above stigmas still associated
with a disability, which is so little understood,
because it is not obvious. Although significant
strides have been made, the great majority of
people suffering from vision loss do not know
where help and understanding may be found. The
many opportunities available through National
Association for Visually Handicapped (NAVH)
- the only U.S. health agency solely devoted
to the partially seeing - will be fully appreciated
when it is universally recognized that the "Hard
of Seeing" can benefit from low vision
services offering hope, dignity, and independence.
Furthermore, it is important to note that NAVH
does not consider anyone blind who has useable
vision, and our experience has proven that those
with residual vision can, with proper motivation,
continue to lead independent lives. For the
child born with visual impairment, or for the
young who acquire problems at an early age,
there is practically no profession one cannot
achieve. Today we find visually impaired physicians,
nurses, social workers, lawyers, teachers, and
other professionals. For the older person who
experiences vision loss in later life, NAVH
fosters the principle of "forgetting what
was and working with what is."
Problems arise from lack of motivation, coupled
with old myths. It is disheartening to be told
that it is dangerous to read in dim light (when
brighter light is often uncomfortable) or that
"you must save your sight." In fact,
the more a visually limited person uses remaining
vision, the better that person will be able
to see. Indeed, our experience has shown that
"if you don't use it, you will lose it."
Because the eye acts as a camera, and it is
the brain which actually "sees," without
consistent use, one can literally "forget"
how to use one's vision and become functionally
blind. Consequently, visually impaired people,
as well as the general public, must be alerted
to the fact that there is no such thing as "eye
strain," which gives the impression that
vision will be permanently damaged with use.
It is imperative the partially seeing recognize
this, because with practice and use, visual
acuity may be enhanced.
©'1997-2004
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