working with KC

[helen jones]

Hi all. Have just had crosslinking done which so far is successful but the consultant said I probably won't be able to go back to the career I had as a fashion designer as it makes too many demands on my eyes - using computer non stop, needing to distinguish colours easily. Just wondered what other people have found as regards getting work? After 4 years working to get my degree and with only 1 years work experience I feel a bit lost and have no idea what would be realistic for me to do instead. any ideas?? Helen

[John Smith]

Helen, I'll give you one piece of advice: don't take NO for an answer.

Your consultant may be correct that you may find your job harder if your KC progresses, but how would he know? After all, now you've had C3R, you are less likely to progress, and there is a fair chance that your KC will improve.

There are many of us, myself included, who spend hours looking at a computer screen and manage fine. And I don't see how your ability to discern colours would be affected.

Don't let the KC rule your life. change the exact day-to-day nature of the job maybe, but I don't see why you should change your career.

[Matthew_]

I agree with John here. In some jobs there are prescribed VA standards for both corrected and uncorrected sight. In these cases it is quite clear whether KC is a bar to employment or not, (although these standards can still be challenged sometimes).
But in your profession such standards are subjective. I can imagine that you need to work with detail a lot and I can understand how this might be a strain. However, this must be a passion of yours or you wouldn't have spent 4 years studying it. YOU are the best judge of whether or not you can succeed. You will be surprised how much you can adapt. Is there any way of using magnifiers etc to deal with the detail. There is some amazing software out there. I use Supernova quite a lot for bad eye days when I cannot wear my lenses. It doesn't interact terribly well with graphics but there a lot of packages to choose from.
Its nice to see your Consultant attempting to empathise however!
Good Luck!

[GarethB]

Helen,

We are very adaptable, I was told my job might be at risk, but with my employers we have adaptatrions in place so I can do most my work normally. With the right safety glasses I even went bak in the lab for a time until an old work relate injury flared up stopping me.

In the West Midlands group we have a graphics designed who is legally blind as he opted not to have a graft so has a guide dog now.

Put your mind to it and as John says take no for an answer.

[John Smith]

Ahem!

That should be don't take no for an answer!

[Pat A]

Helen
I agree with all the others have said - but just a suggestion for you - do get in touch with "Action for Blind People" ( just google for their website). They have a programme called "Workstep" which I think you might find really helpful - it's not just for for people looking for work but for those already in employment but who need a bit of extra help in keeping their existing job. They have been a fantastic help for me, and have let me play with all kinds of different software and hardware so that I could work out what is best for me (rather than what my employer says I need!) And don't be put off by the "Blind" in their title - it's for anyone with visual problems.
And if you do decide that maybe you do need a change of career - well they can help with that too. You've got nothing to lose by getting in touch with them!

Hope all goes well,

[helen jones]

Wow! thanks everyone for those messages - some really useful ideas there . Was on a bit if a downer when I posted so it's encouraging to know I'm not alone and your positive comments have helped. As you say I made it through my 4 year course and none of my tutors or colleagues were aware I had a problem but it was easier to pace myself and arrange my day round my KC. Being at work was a lot harder as I don't like people to know I have a problem - maybe I need to come to terms with that and be honest.
Helen

[Lynn White]

Working with a visual disability is a very personal thing. Many here are totally dedicated to getting round it.. others find vision problems are just too much to cope with.

It's hard for people here to advise you without knowing more about you - they can only talk about how THEY cope. Work as opposed to College is a different kettle of fish. You have deadlines to meet and colleagues to interact and work with.

Finding out you have a visual disability when you work in a very visual occupation is a life stopper. Some people have no choice... if you want to be a train driver or a pilot or a sailor and you are colour blind - thats it. No second chance - you simply cannot do it.

With KC, there is always a chance. There are many possibilities in the form of contact lenses. You can reconfigure your pc to make it easier to cope. There are very many forms of optical and electronic enlargement of text and images. It all depends on your dedication. It will probably make you think really hard whether this is a career you would die for or something that you could change if necessary.

Your consultant was saying to you that you are in a visually demanding profession - and asking if you think you could cope with the problems for the foreseeable future. If you are not sure - then think about alternatives.

Lynn