Cope With Being Blind

Being blind can cause difficulties, but you can continue to function alongside sighted people. Here are some suggestions to cope with being blind.

Steps

 * 1) Accept yourself. If you can't accept yourself for being blind, it's going to be a harder journey for you. Know that you aren't the only one in the world who is blind, and you were made the way you are for a purpose. Also, remember that your life isn't worthless or meaningless - it is filled with great purpose and meaning.
 * 2) Find the positive side in your situation. Although you may have lost your sight, that doesn't mean you have lost everything. You still have your other four senses, and you're still alive with a purpose in life. Even though it may seem hard right now, know that you'll eventually adapt to your new life routine and take advantage of your situation instead of moping over it.
 * 3) Learn Braille. The sooner you learn Braille, the easier it'll be for you to use what you've learned to get around in life. If you find that learning Braille is frustrating and you have trouble remembering it, find someone that knows Braille very well and will be willing to teach you.
 * 4) Get transportation services for the blind. Making sure that you will be able to move about in town is important and will make things a lot easier for you if you have your ways of transportation all sorted out. It's recommended that you find more than one means of transportation in case one way doesn't work - then, you'll have the other option to turn to instead of being stuck where you are.
 * 5) Sharpen your other senses. It is said that if you lose one sense, your other four senses will be sharpened immediately. However, don't expect them to sharpen entirely by themselves - help your senses by using and exercising them. Learning to play a musical instrument or learning to listen well to others are only a few of the ways you could use your senses well.
 * 6) Get a guide dog to help you find your way around. A dog can be your best friend in your time of need. Plus, it's helpful to have a dog who will be able to be your eyes and protect you from danger. However, be sure you find the right guide dog for you that will do its job well or you might find yourself dealing with problems.
 * 7) *If you are unable to care for the guide dog's needs, you might want to find someone who can do that for you every day.
 * 8) Find others who are like you. Knowing that someone else understands how you feel is important and can be comforting. Plus, you might find yourself being a comfort to that other person! You'll also be able to participate in activities with them that require no sight, and it's better than being alone. However, this doesn't mean that you'll have to throw away your old friendships with those who still have sight. If your old friends are truly your friends, they will accept you for who you are and do the best they can to still maintain the friendship. Still spend time with your friends, but try to also go and find others with the same situation as you.
 * 9) *If you don't open up, you won't be able to receive the benefits of friendship.