Blessing in Disguise

​A fact few people realize about me is – I am legally blind.
 
When I say that, people often do a double take and say… “WHAAAAAAAAT?”
 
That response makes me smile. Why? Because it means I’m being successful in not allowing my disability to limit me. And quite honestly, while it is an annoyance, there are much worse things to be. The biggest limitation I face is that I can’t drive.
 
The reason this is an annoyance as opposed to a blockage is primarily due to the type of vision I lack. My vision straight on, while a little blurry, isn’t terrible. I CAN see without my glasses, although I choose not to. It’s not comfortable. What I don’t see, even WITH glasses, is in my peripheral. I have tunnel vision.
 
It wasn’t always this way. It is a result of a car accident that changed my life nearly fifteen years ago (click here for more about that). But for all sakes and purposes, this is how I always remember my life being.
 
After my accident, the visual disruption wasn’t identified at first. There was a lot going on. I was adapting to my new norm and faking being okay. After being discovered by my eye doctor, Dr. O’Connor of Aurora Optometric, he had me undergo intensive vision therapy that included stimulating the eyes and brain with different colored lights (goes back to a practice of the ancient Egyptians!!) and eye exercises. It opened my field, but not enough to be safe on the road.
 
It was something I had to accept. Honestly, at that point in time, I was grateful my vision was proving to be the only long term effect from the car accident. So, if you are beginning to feel sorry for me, DON’T.
 
It hasn’t always been easy, but I have come to view the disability as a blessing rather than a curse. Why? A number of reasons exist. I could be funny (and truthful) and say because my husband and I only have one car, we save money on car insurance and car payments. Only having one car does have its benefits, besides the cost. Because I don’t drive, my husband treks me all over town. That time is the time many people spend alone in their own car commuting to and from work or running errands. I get to spend that time (for better or worse) with my husband. During this time we talk, which I feel strengthens our relationship. It also means we do A LOT together. From grocery shopping, going to doctor appointments, etc. We are always in the know, and we know the other is there to support the other.
 
I also attribute my lack of vision with my increased ability to connect spiritually and psychically. If you’ve read my blog, you know mediumship has always been a part of me (click here to see where it all started), but after my accident I became much more attuned. Recognizing energies was part of how I adapted to my environment with the lack of vision. It was something I had to do. Had I not, I would have been startled all the time. In the store, in restaurants, etc. People would come up behind me and because I didn’t see them, I didn’t know they were there. By paying attention psychically, I was more aware of people. Having to do this, I have no doubt has helped me become better at what I do.
 
So while my lack of vision is an annoyance, and I know my husband sometimes wishes I could drive myself to my house parties (especially when they go long) or be able to run errands, overall it’s a blessing. And yes, I’m making lemonade out of lemons… but is that a bad thing? I don’t think so. I’m working with what I’ve got!
 
Next time you are faced with a situation that is less than ideal, think about what opportunities are being opened up to you. Chances are, there are a lot of blessings hidden beneath the challenges.

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