6 Things Legally Blind People NEED in Life 

I am 42, Stargardt's since 9, about 20/500 acuity. I am also a teacher for the visually impaired. I use Schneider 157 pens, they come in black, blue and green. Fine point, does not bleed through and writes smoothly. My favorite magnifier is my iPhone magnifier app that you can add to the control panel for quick access. Seeing AI app is great also. It reads what ever you need, just move the camera over what you want to see or read.

Smart glasses cheap and helpful

I also have low vision. It’s definitely a daily struggle. Thanks for your video, it’s very inspiring

Honestly I don’t tell people out of embarrassment… I try to make it seem like I’m normal but they always find out and I just end up feeling bad that they have to go out of their way for me ,I also feel like a bother to my friends and family whenever I ask for rides or ask what’s that say

I have advanced glaucoma, blind in left eye, and low vision in right eye. I’m all alone now. I lost my mother, sister and 6 other family members last year 2023. I was my 96-year-old grandmother caregiver for 14 years, and she died in my arms on Christmas morning 2023 at home. I feel so alone. I’m trying to learn my life all over again back into the working world and living alone. I was diagnosed with advanced glaucoma six years ago. And anxiety is my enemy, and I refused to allow it to control my life. I need all the help I can get.

My husband is VI and he will totally back you on the Mac. He had an old Macbook Pro like yours until it got too old to update, and then we skipped the iMac and went for a Mac Mini and he uses a 42" 4K TV as his monitor. Different impairment than you (retinopathy) but you are spot on. His 3X pocket magnifier, sold as a fire-starting tool, is his constant companion and essential to functioning in daily life for him.

Hi! I'm Molly, 55F, from FL. Been legally blind (retinopathy of prematurity) since I was born. I have that same little round mirror, and a ton of those Sharpies too! All of those shades looked great on you! You are so pretty. :-) Still so young! I'm getting up there. I just lost my Mom right at Christmas, and now I'm all alone. I don't have any siblings, nor kids, and all of my friends died from cancer or Covid. As you start to get older, you start to notice more and more friends die. Sorry to be so grim. I'm still grieving. Your video was awesome! I have an iMac too, I have the huge 27", that I bought a decade ago, and now I have one of the newer colored ones (in purple), and it's smaller, but I still love it. I love my iPhone too. Especially the magnifier, a lot!!

I've been legally blind for 9 years. Its been frustrating. I have little to no help. My life has been on pause & not improving. Im glad to have found this video. It truly helps. Thank you.

I’m legally blind. I use a 20/20 pen for people with low vision sold at Walmart , Amazon, and other stores aswell❤️

I have a blind friend. She’s the best ever.

I’ve been legally blind since 2009. It’s a challenge every day. I walk with a cane, and some people are courteous others just talk to ignore you. Stepping up on their sidewalk is difficult. Already fell 3 times. If I need a walker.

Hey Alisha. Love the Video. This past Monday sept 20th I was told that I have about five years of sight left. It's finally starting to hit that I'm going to lose my freedoms of being independent. It started with my reading vision. I'm now having to use a magnifying glass to read. It's getting harder to be able to write or read on paper with out a flashlight.."WAIT!" Who uses paper anymore? lol Reading labels is getting next to impossible. So far distance is fine and I'm still able to drive at night with out any issues but this will change I'm sure pretty quick. . I'm also finding that I need sunglasses a lot more due to light sensitivity. Thanks for sharing your story with all of us. You're a beautiful person both inside and out.

I'm legally blind in my left eye and blind in my right. I love my Braille money marker, my bold pens and bold notebook paper, and my my 3D printed Braille cheetsheets!

Excellent advice for newly diagnosed legally blind person

I'm 23 and was diagnosed legally blind February 2020 due to my diabetes

-3. Oh girlfriend, that's Beach weather. Try living in Winnipeg! ❤️ your videos!

Wow something told me today to look up how blind people travel. Bam!! clicked on your video and got a wealth of information in just this short of time. Hahaha! I think losing independence of traveling was my biggest problem of depression since just getting in my car and taking off was so important to me. I felt like a high schooler again with just a state ID LOL! My kids have been my Biggest support over a course of 7yrs of vision decline. I have transition eyeglasses and just now putting no line bifocals because I want to look cute has nothing on trying to see!😂 I am slowly trying to find my independence once again to travel with my younger children so they can see other states like my older children and I did. They are not of driving age and uber or lyft can become expensive and I no longer can rent a car with an ID let alone be driving Lol! Any advice or videos on this would help greatly from the community.

A magnifier and my phone are for sure things that are essential in my life lol.

Love love love your video. I got quite excited when you were talking about applying make up. I am visually impaired too and I’m trying to learn how to apply make up. Never got into it when I was younger but now that I’m getting older I want to try to do New things. Do you think you could do a make up tutorial.

My handwriting has gone with my vision.

Thank you

Seeing AI and Be My Eyes apps are awesome for assistance with any & everything that you might need help with throughout the day (when you’re alone or on your own)!

I'm legally blind, my vision is 20/200 in I live in a small town. On top of that, my parents isolate me and I've never learned practical skills. I'm finally escaping to college soon and really need to know a few things. First, how do I cross streets? I can't listen to cars. I've tried, I can't accurately tells what is where. Sure, I can follow foot traffic but other people won't always be around. Second, how do I find stores and restaurants and stuf? I've been to a big city once, where I was dragged around by my cousin because I couldn't read shop signs. Lastly, where in the world am I supposed to get cheap cooking supplies made for blind people? I can't read brail bc the person who was supposed to teach me how to live decided I didn't need to know anything not directly related to school. could someone please explain these to me or maybe point me in the direction of videos that might help in situations like these?

Im all about the thick tip pens. Photographing things i cant see and wnlarging is my life! Good sunhglasses with aides are a must

Hi Alisha, Your channel came up on my feed am I am so glad it did. I too am legally blind (since 2016) as a result of Diabetic Retinopathy. My vision is 20/400, but I am pretty high functioning although I no longer drive and I rarely go out at night. Otherwise I am truly grateful 🙏 for what vision I do have. I make the most of life as a writer, I use Kindle books and Audible for reading. I love how uou featured your "go-to" items, especially the bold pens, computer and Smartphone... I have an Android, my lifeline. Thank you for sharing 💕 😊 I just subscribed!

Expo Dry ERase is a good one that washes off.

This is just what I needed. Your section on community was just si spot on. Great stuff. Thank you from the UK 🙋

Transcribe is the word you want.

Hi I'm visually impaired also you rock...

Nice video! I have bought 20/20 bold pens that are markers that don’t stink and are not permanent. Now they are called Bold pens. You can get them from LSS Products, Maxi Aids, or ILA Independent Living AIDS. Yes, Walmart has pleasantly surprised me by carrying an electronic magnifier at a great price! The pebble Mini by Enhanced Vision is one of my most used tools. I love the Looky Plus by Irie! Cody is my salesman! I have bought, used, and have sold vision tools. Love easy to use products. Another favorite is the eye-pal solo. May be called ace now. Maybe you use lots of tools like me!

I wish I had seen this video 20 years ago when I first started losing my vision! I carry my 8x magnifier a modular...talking watch...mobility cane in unfamiliar places...an I'd cane because I've been accused of lying about being legally blind when I've asked for help? Small town problem unfortunately...people are are generally great and helpful in the bigger cities....google walking app...I use zoomtext software as I am an educational assistant and our school board uses Microsoft...google read and write... marker...good friends...supportive friends...a positive attitude...I encourage people to ask questions rather than speculate and make assumptions...I politely ask for what I need...I do look different at times bent over the shelves as I scan the0ugh the grocery aisles...I get it.. I'm brave enough to look a little silly to be independent....it gets easier...im thankful for my intuition and developed ability to read body language...and the fact that everyone looks beautiful to me...thank you for this video

Yeah it does impact everything I have low vision myself and I have a friend that doesn’t exactly understand it clearly so I have to make a video and explain this to him what it is like because he’s not understanding it right now

Hello, I'm in Southern CA. I have a daughter that has albinism. It affected her eyes more than her pigmentation. Initially looking at her you would just think she was far skinned. I'm reaching out to you because her low vision has really taken a toll on her. She's a super intelligent 23 year old young lady, but depression and anxiety has consumed my babies life. She is just existing in life. I knew it could come to this, so my plan from birth was to make sure that she was full of confidence and that she was comfortable in her situation. I also planned to be her taxi whenever she wanted to go somewhere and show her that I would take her anywhere she wanted to go at anytime of the day. All that came to a halt, when I got hit on my Harley Davidson motorcycle, which let me unable to walk. I failed both of my daughters, but especially my youngest. I was outgoing and loved outdoor activities and I went from her superman to a deadbeat, by default. I didn't come out the house for a little over 5 years, and I'm still in a bad place, but a little better than I was. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to start making this about me, but I wanted to share how it reached this point. I'm actually reaching out to you to see if you could speak with my daughter, in your free time, if at all possible. Thanks in advance. You can reach me via email. mcneal.ramon7@gmail.com

Aww i’m so glad I stumbled onto your video. It definitely makes me feel es alone to hear about your tips and tricks and what you are going through and to see how similar it is the to what I’m going through, and to be able to imagine all the other viewers in your audience having similar experiences as well. We’re not alone !! 🥰 You seem like such a sweet playful person.

Those first sunglasses 😍🤩

So glad to come across your channel, great content! Actually thinking about buying a Macbook rn so this is super helpful. Kind of feel like being part of a community even though it is just a video, thank you.

Thank you ! 💓

Thank you for your video. I truly appreciate it.

IAM in Stage 2 Glucoma and my Glucoma is progressing very fast

This is a brilliant video! Thank you

Thank you again Alisha 😊 You are just brilliant at conveying problems AND possible solutions, practically and emotionally. My vision is going with both AMD and glaucoma, there is very little support from the health service here (UK)…..I was fascinated to see that lol your six essential are ones I use all the time too😊 All the best to you, you are truly a star 🌟 xx

I know it sounds silly but if you wanna try pens for arthritis they are bulky and have nice ball pinpointed pens you can grab them off Amazon with any size you prefer! They can be nice and thick on the words and it’s comfy to hold 🙏🏻😅❤️

Thank you that's all thank you

Thanks. This was informative

I can subscribe to all (except the mirror maybe, a thing I neither have nor miss, cause I usually don’t wear make-up ;) ). Something to add: a kind of “pocket telescope”, e.g. for long distance usage, like checking the line no. on an arriving bus. It is not essential, and in most cases, its functionality can be replaced by a smart-phone, but the handling is faster and easier. But choose the right magnification rate: if it is too high -as the device is light and small-, if your fingers tremble, it is hard to read. Ah, one more: I got no idea what Apple IOS provides, but the magnifier function of Android (ref. also to comments below) is something I don’t want to miss. Stay healthy, and NO SURRENDER !

I use a Sharpie 0.7 S-Gel pen. It is pretty bold.

This was a well thought out and executed video. Thank you. BTW I use a Bic .7 mm black pen for years, it works for me

I am 70 years old and had a brain stem infrct that left me visually impaired. Thank you for your video. I am looking for devices that will help me read, pay bills online and just generally live like I did before. I use to sew and make jewelry and I want to continue. Also is there any help to bet devices paid for by blind society etc

Love ur video

Thank you for busting my pitty party. I wasn't any fun anyway. ❤️ Thank you. This is a challenge but with cheerleaders like you this isn't as bad as it was 12 minutes ago.

Great job, I really enjoyed this video. I’d be interested in knowing if you are currently using any of the AI apps that are available and what you use them for.

shades for the light, were light sensitive. Im legally blind since birth.

Thank you for making the video. What is your eye condition?

I take left or Uber daily in order to get to work. I have a condition called cone/rod dystrophy and cannot drive. I also can hardly afford to take these ride sharing services everywhere I go anymore but it is Phoenix Arizona and I just about melted yesterday. Any suggestions because at this point I'm working just to pay my rideshare bill.

Transcribe and/or transpose.

New subbie-great channel. Thanks for providing information, you are truly very inspiring. I was diagnosed with RP on 6/5/20... its been very challenging and difficult as my vision deteriorate. Please provide any additional info you may have to provide some understanding, and clarity of how to adjust and live a productive life. I live in a small rural town with very limited resources and support.

I've been legally blind since 2020 and it is progressing Looking at me you can't tell because I still try to live normal I just can't drive anymore and I don't cut hair anymore

Overall I just feel very weak minded when I can’t do what other people do like drive I’m 21 and this has been my life since day 1

WHAT TECH JOB TITLES CAN A LEGALLY BLIND PERSON GO TO SCHOOL FOR?

Were you thinking Transcribe? Apple is to confuseing to me. I stick with Amazon fir my talking TV And Samsung for my phone I still need to call Sony to see how they can make Spider Man 2 better for Visually Impaired. But my PS5 is new so Im still trying to see what Sony did for Accessability people

I am am Android user and my phone is my lifeline too. I quite like the Android accessibility features. In fact, I have an iPhone for work and I freakin can't stand it and still can't figure out how to use everything LOL! I have a Samsung Galaxy S9 and def would like the new S20 soonish. I like my S9 a lot thi.

Biopic glasses

My iPad my best friend

Hello their your story is so amazing . I am also legged blind I have retinitis pigmentosa short form is RP. Are you on any other social media.

Hi Alisha. I have IIH and I recently have vision loss. I called 911 a few days ago because it got so bad and I didn't know what was going on. Now I think I have tunnel vision. However, my mom and brother laughed at me a lot because of my walker. What would be your advice? They aren't being supportive and I feel like I am falling apart right now

iam the biggest L .Blind woman i know let me tell it really ever had anybody to ndaerstand that i dont wanna taken care of ,I wanna take care of myself .Independence

GIRL what is the magnifying app you use??? I need that shit yesterday lmao

their is a difference between legally blind and totally blind..

just wanted to tell you as always great video-take care

❤️❤️❤️

I hope u make more video

💞

I’m legaklly blind I l love your videos

Hello i am visually impaired too. I can related to your video

How did you notice that you had vision loss? I want to see if I have this. My vision is really terrible 😪

Is this free Scribition

You are so beautiful

This is my comment how do I contact you for the community about which you are involved

❤️❤️❤️🥰🥰🥰

No, I like my little stick. I like to use the sharpies like to use them well yes ma’am by the way, I’m new to your channel hi.

I am turning blind

6:00 THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!!!🤪

You forget the white cane.