#6 Gratefulness

[a_natural_beauty]

This may sound like a pretty basic one, but in so many ways it isn't. Not to me. I'm grateful I still have my senses for the most part. One thing you guys may not know about me is I do have a hearing loss in my right ear. I wear a hearing aide most of the time when I go out in public, but sometimes loud noises make it worse so I avoid those times when I can. And I do have bad eyesight but my glasses that I never go without help me!
I think about this from time to time - I'm glad my senses that aren't that strong aren't completely lost. I'm glad I can independently be on my own and take care of myself. The world is already a scary place at times and I feel it would be a-lot more scary if I were blind or fully deaf for example.

Comments

[matt_zimmer]

About 20 years I was temporarily blinded. I had to have brain surgery but it was scary as hell. I am grateful for what vision I DO have now (although since then it hasn't been what it used to be).

[a_natural_beauty]

Oh wow, I'm sorry to hear that happened to you. *hugs* If you don mind me asking, how did it happen? You can always tell me in a message if you would prefer.

[matt_zimmer]

I don't know the technical term for it but it's known as "water on the brain". Brain fluid was pushing against my optic nerve. I needed brain surgery to have a shunt put in to relieve the pressure.

[a_natural_beauty]

Oh gosh, I'm sorry to hear that. I had a sister named Darcy who passed away from Water on the brain. She lived to be 6 months old.
That sounds very serious. So you were born with that?

[matt_zimmer]

Must have been. I don't believe my condition was ever life-threatening, although maybe the doctors were downplaying it to me. I'm sorry to hear about your sister.

[a_natural_beauty]

Yes, that could have been the case with the doctors. It's sad how common that is.
Thank you.

[matt_zimmer]

The reason I never got the sense it was life-threatening, is the doctors were pretty excited as I was being treated. My vision loss was, I guess, a great learning experience for interns who had never seen anything like it. I like to think if it really WAS serious on my end, they would have used a little more discretion there.

[a_natural_beauty]

Well that's a blessing! I'm glad you got treated, too. :)

[yourlibrarian]

Very true, and it's different when you have sight and then have to transition. I have a niece whose sight is going and she's going to have to lean into occupational therapy and preparation for when it gets worse.

[a_natural_beauty]

Oh gosh, that must be a hard transition. I hope she is able to afford it. Depending on where she lives healthcare can be quite difficult with the cost and coverage.

[adafrog]

Glad you can use the hearing aid and glasses.

[a_natural_beauty]

Thank you :-)

[brisus]

I think about this sometimes myself. How do people cope in this world being blind, deaf, or even both? It would surely change our responses to things.

[a_natural_beauty]

Yes, I think you just manage the best you can honestly... the world is already such a cruel place at times.
Also I think our other senses try to make up for those ones lost/damaged.

[ashleygamer6]

Every day is a joy worth a thousand yen, be grateful that you're alive! <3

[a_natural_beauty]

Yes! I love this! Thank you! :-D

[theradicalchild]

To be honest, I wouldn't have fucking minded at all if I were born deaf due to all the horrible shit I've heard in my lifetime that has traumatized the living hell out of me and constantly made me sorry I was ever conceived in the first place. Being blind, on the other hand (but still be allowed to hear all of said horrible shit), would for me be a fate far fucking worse than death.

[a_natural_beauty]

Oh my gosh, I am so sorry.... :(
I really hope the help you are getting now is working and you are healing. I know it is a slow process. I've been verbally abused before and those words stay with you for a very long time.
*hugs*

[lordmyk]

There's very few situations in which it's hard to notice you having any sort of difficulties.

[a_natural_beauty]

Thank you, I appreciate that!