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What does visual impairment mean? It’s OK to ask

My name is Lauren Rosenberg.  I am a 39 year old woman who is visually impaired.  I was a premature birth weighing 3 pounds 5 ounces and most likely experienced apnea which affected my visual field, among other things.

Lauren Rosenberg and her mom on a sofa

My name is Lauren Rosenberg.  I am a 39 year old woman who is visually impaired.  I was a premature birth weighing 3 pounds 5 ounces and most likely experienced apnea which affected my visual field, among other things. As a result, I have poor peripheral vision and depth perception, although I can see well in front of me. Having this condition has been a gift. I can do everything, except drive a car.  Having this condition has made me a very independent woman and hasn’t stopped me from taking every opportunity that has become available for me. I am considered to be Legally Blind by the Courts.  In order to be considered legally blind by the courts, your vision has to be impaired. One can have vision that is 20/200 or worse or have a limited visual field. To the average person, this is called tunnel vision which means I can see everything in front of me.  My visual field is 5 degrees and I have 20/25 vision in my left  eye and 20/40 vision in my right eye.  I am also very sensitive to sunlight and sound.  My night vision is horrible.

When I say I am visually impaired, a lot of people do not understand what that means.  For example, my parents and I went to Sweet Tomatoes. a restaurant,  to have dinner one evening.  When the greeter saw me with my cane folded on the tray, he said, “You can’t bring that in with you.”  He thought I was carrying fireworks or paint brushes.  After I explained to him that I am visually impaired and that it was a folded cane for the blind, he seemed fine.

Here is another example.  I work as a Part-time cashier at Fresh Thyme Farmers Market located in Deerfield, IL.  Most of my co-workers understand that I have a visual impairment.  However, one of them was not aware that I have a visual impairment or that I am legally blind.  He asked me how I can do my job and how I can see to assist the public.  I told him I have “tunnel vision.”  It has been very difficult for me to find work and I want to thank the people at Fresh Thyme for giving me the opportunity to work there.  I love it and wouldn’t change a thing.

As you can see, I am a very unique individual and cope with my condition well.  If you have any questions regarding my condition, feel free to ask.

Sincerely,

Lauren R. Rosenberg

I am a 39 year old woman who lives in Glenview, Illinois with my parents. I work as a part-time cashier at a local organic grocery mart and work at a café’ on an as needed basis. I was born with this visual impairment along with other motor impairments. I use paratransit, a shared bus system to take me to and from work. My parents also drive me to where I need to go so that I’m not alone. Since I was born with this visual impairment, along with other motor impairments I really don’t know anything different.

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