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Hi everyone. I thought I’d share with you a bit more about my story. I thought this forum would be the best place to share this story.
I don’t think I’ve shared this with anyone on CDH yet. I’m almost completely blind.
I was born with a genetic syndrome called Lawrence-Moon. This syndrome has four major symptoms, and each symptom can vary in severity from person to person.
These four symptoms are some form of vision loss, an obesity factor, being born with extra fingers or toes, and some form of cognitive or communication deficiency.
I was born with Tunnel Vision, which means a loss of either central or side vision. On top of that, I developed cataracts in 2011 which specialists didn’t want to remove. As a result, all I can see today is tell the difference between light and darkness, some very basic colours, and that’s it. I can’t even see the computer I’m writing this post on let alone the read what I’m writing.
I was also born with an extra toe on the small side of each foot, an obesity factor which has lead to Type 2 diabetes, and I struggle when communicating in small groups or conversation with another person one to one.
So how can I write on CDH when I can’t see?
All computers today have as part of their accessibility settings what is called a screen reader. The screen reader reads aloud and tells me what I’m typing or what screen element the mouse pointer is pointing to or what the screen reader cursor is pointing to. I use Apple computers, so Apple’s screen reader is called, “VoiceOver”.
As an example, I can use VoiceOver to read aloud to me all the latest posts from the forums, let me know when somebody’s accepted my friend request, or tell me what I’m typing as I create a new post, like this one. It’s very cool stuff!
Do I have any challenges being a blind cross dresser? Yes. The main challenge is colour. If I had a number of t-shirts in front of me, I wouldn’t know which one is which. I use an app on my iPhone which uses the rear camera pointed at a shirt to tell me what colour it is. I have to put things in a precise spot in my wardrobe and put them in that spot every time so I know I’m putting the right thing on. I have been given a good memory, which I call on often to remember where I have put specific clothes. I also rely on feeling the clothes’ texture to tell me which is which.
I can remember what all the basic colours look like as my vision was really good when I was young. I used to watch TV, play computer games, and read print books.
I use VoiceOver on my iPhone to navigate the ASOS app or the Ebay app to do my on line shopping. Both apps are easy to use and very descriptive of the items, so it’s very easy to visualise what I’m buying.
So, that’s the Stephanie Roberts story. I hope you’ve learned a lot more about me, and if you’ve got any questions, please either reply to this post, or send me a private message.
Love, Stephanie ❇️❤️
Hi Stephanie,
Welcome to CDH! I know you will make many friendships at this wonderful website!
Hugs,
Kay
Hi Stephanie , thank you so much for sharing such personal details , fortunately we have technology available to assist you & others to aid your/ their lives 🌹🌹 Tiff
You’re a gem girl 💎💎💎
Hi Stephanie, I’m amazed by how you deal with everything that you’ve got going on. You’re amazing! Hugs, Louise. ❤❤❤
Stephanie
Just WOW!!! You are absolutely AMAZING!! I have a new found respect and appreciation for you, and I am so glad to be your friend.
For me, my question to you would be this,
How can I, and all of us here on CDH bring you a better experience? How do we make things a little easier and more fun for you?
XOXOXO – Robyn
Hi Girlfriend you are so such a insperation to so many here as thank you very much for letting us into your life so we can be a part of it more than we allready were. As miss Devine has said and i will back her up if there is any thing we can do to make it easyier on you to be able to communicate with us please say so .. Im so proud to be a girlfriend of yours as many others here big hugs to you Girlfriend..
💋💋 Stephanie Bass 💋💋
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your story, your unbelievably high level of dedication to crossdressing is unmatched.
Stephane
You are one of our sisters and always will be – being yourself takes priority over all other things and you are one in a million!
huge hugs from the UK
Dawn x
Stephanie,
Thank you for sharing your story with us. As others have said, you are an inspiration!
Hugs,
Eva
That was very touching hun so sorry what you are going through
Love always Kimberly 💜Stephanie,
I am in the same boat as you, but not as bad. I had cataract surgery in 2018 on both my eyes and discovered that my left eye has macular degeneration. I am now seeing a retinal surgeon and am getting injections in my left eye to prevent AMD from getting worse. I also have had to have epiretinal membrane surgery for same reason. I am a senior citizen now(age 66) and discovered at my local senior center an impaired vision group and joined it. I have heard stories there similar to yours of people with vision worse than mine and how they use sophisticated tools(as you have been doing) to get thru life. I am glad I joined this group as it is good to know you are not alone. Maybe there is such a group at your local senior center?
Take Care,
Alice Black
Thank you Stephanie for sharing this.
When I see the media plastered with able people whining about the fact they haven’t been to a pub or club due to covid with their ‘mental health’ suffering as a consequence, I would love to show them your post to put their miserable, me me me, lives into perspective. ( Yes I am a grumpy old woman)
I am a support worker for adults who have difficulties and, like you, they don’t see themselves as disadvantaged and get on with life with a positive attitude.
I hope that you will find a group that will help you get out and be yourself.
You are a ray of light to us all and we are blessed to have you here on the forum.
We all have our challenges in life you more than most however =you have seemed to pick up the baton and carried on. Very admirable. We all wonder what or mow we would deal with adversity. I frequently wonder if I went blind or deaf what would I do? To hear from someone with real challenges is refreshing because ask ourselves what would I do in such situation. We can sit back and thank our lucky stars we are not there. That does not stop us from admire ring your strength and preference to live life. Like I feel about veterans and born handy caped people I admire your moxie. I have a downs syndrome daughter and love her more than life myself. She is very trying but still I Have hope for her to have a normal life within her parameters We are who we are and it is blessing from God.
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