3 ms·
Here is my similar story from Washington state. I was a happy fully sighted software developer up until a few years ago an eye disease started all of a sudden.
by mltony 8y ago
Here is my similar story from Washington state.
I was a happy fully sighted software developer up until a few years ago an eye disease started all of a sudden. Now I am blind. I applied for disability and got denied. I appealed and was denied again. In the end I hired a lawyer and won the case. Judge told me he was surprised that I had to go this far as my case seemed so clear to him.
To make things fair, I wasn't fully blind at the time when I applied for disagbility. My doctor thought I was blind enough to be considered disabled. Social security's doctor didn't think so.
- jniedrauer 8y agoMaybe something you don't feel comfortable discussing, and feel free to disregard if it is. But I've often thought about what I would do if this, or a major injury to my hands, were to happen to me. Programming is a big part of my life, and I don't know what I'd do if I suddenly couldn't do it anymore. You're able to read and write posts on HN, so it seems that you're able to edit text again, albeit at a (significantly) reduced rate? Have you picked up programming as a hobby again? Or have you moved on to other things now that you don't have to?
- mltony 8y agoIt took me a few years to adjust, but I'm back in the workforce. I am working in a big IT company now. Blind people can use screenreaders - assistive software - to write code and leave comments on hacker news. If something happens to your hands, I've heard of a software developer who is using dictation software to write code. There are ways you can work around your disabilities.
- nvusuvu 8y agoSo sorry to hear that. This is my fear too. Are you trying to enter the workforce again with the tools available for the vision impaired?