Low Vision

Hi there. Just thought I would pass a tip on to you that can increase a web pages’ font size easily. The trick is the browser that you use. The tool is already on your keyboard in the form of a plus and minus sign. (I got this tip from a friend who knows a lot about computers). If you use the browser called OPERA, which is a free browser, you will be able to quickly increase the font size for easier reading. Opera is a great browser as it has lots of options that make it easy for you to click on your favorite sites. Each new tab loads with a page called “Speed Dial” which has a menu of your top nine web destinations. You pick the nine sites on the Speed Dial page – for instance your home page, MSN, Google, etc.When you go to any web page the trick with the instant font change is to click on a clear spot on the page that is “not” a text box (for instance don’t click in a seach box) and then hit the plus sign (in the numbers section on the right side of the keyboard) to increase the font size – or minus sign to decrease the font size. So go to www.opera.com and download the browser to try out. It allows you to easily control the font size on any web page! I also tried it with Internet Explorer but I couldn’t get this tip to work with it.

“PS”
Experiment with this – try it first with the browser you normally use and if it doesn’t work in that browser give Opera a try. You can always use more than one browser on your computer to access the internet.

http://www.acb.org/resources/computer-products.html

The web site above has some interesting links for aids
for computers. If you’re like me, my computer was, and still is, a very  important part of my life. Being a writer for some years it’s a blessing to have access to computer aids to keep the hobby I embrace most… See my poetry to see what I can do and express with some of these aids.

http://www.rcsys.com/dt.htm

Here is a neat little device that can assist in making your computer easier to use. This is just one of many helpful items out there to aid using your computer more effectively.

https://vetrecs.archives.gov/VeteranRequest/home.asp

Attention Veterans: The web site above can be of assistance to you to obtain medical records and for information. Medical records need to be checked over with a fine tooth comb – I explained why in a post listed below, also in other categories. Be sure to read those before applying for any medical financial assistance…  Good Luck!

Link: Social Security Disability for Blindness and Low Vision

Here is the link to Social Security Administration’s definition of blindness and disability benefits. It should answer your questions about blind and low vision disabilty and if you will qualify…..Good Luck…..Remember to check my post on financial help about what to do before filing.

Most individuals with low vision deal with a lot of frustration.  Starting with not being able to drive or get around as they use to.  Finding work is one of the hardest obstructions.  This may lead to the question – where can one get financial help? 

If you’re a Veteran, Veterans Administration Disability can give assistance to the tune of about $984.00 or more depending on your service connection.  But most of us have Social Security Disability that we look at first.  We paid into it all our working lives, right?  Well, it’s not good news there.  The Social Security Administration turns down about 95% of all applications.  You have to be iron-clad blind, bumping into walls, before they will accept you for benefits.  The other thing you should know is it takes 5 to 6 months for them to process your application.  So don’t spend your savings.  There are attorneys who will appeal your case for about 25% of any back benefits you may get – and none if you don’t receive any.  That is a good thing, believe me, as our system right now is screwed up!  Your other alternative is the State Department of Health and Social Services.  They have a disability program that will get you a little assistance like food stamps, medical card, and financial assistance depending on your disability status.  Check with your Phone company and Utilities companies as they sometimes have programs for the disabled to lessen your bills.

Now here’s what I want to caution you on, because it will mean how much of a fight you may have obtaining help from financial assistance programs.  “CHECK YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS”.  I can not emphasize this more.  Every agency out there will obtain your medical records to make their decision.  If there is one word that can be used to disqualify you, even an obvious error, they will use it to turn you down.  So go to your doctor, look or get copies of your medical records and make sure all the “i”s are dotted and the “t”s crossed.  Do this before you file for assistance.  It will save a lot of agonizing time and frustration. I know, this is what I am going through.  And they will literally go back years to find that one word or type-o to make an argument against your eligibliity

If you are able to use a computer, or have someone do it for you,  look up Social Security or Vetrans and Department of Health and Social Services.  Search for their definitions of blindness or any other disability you may apply for.  It’s all there, and make yourself aware of what the law is.  The all have web pages and are available to the public.

There is a drug, not yet widely used by Eye Doctors, called AVASTIN. This is actually a chemotherapy drug that can also be injected into the eye for off-label use treating eye disease. People with macular degeneration or people that have macular edema (swelling) have had success with this. I went in to Boise Retinal clinic on a Wednesday and received an injection. My vision at that time was 20/80. Two days later on Friday, my eyes were 20/25. I was ecstatic over the results. I received shots every six weeks for about a year. Unfortunately, I had a problem with my eye just giving up. But, this drug has helped other people see better. I wanted to let you know about this, as it can be used on an off-label basis for some eye diseases, and Opthalmologists can have access to it.

After I reported on this drug called Avastin, I found that it has been taken of the market due to medical side effects of this drug. I am experiencing these side effects. Actually, I discovered alot of medical problems I had shortly after the injections into my eyes. I experienced migraine headaches, sinus problems and scarring of the sinuses , along with additional hemorrhaging in my eyes. One of the things I discovered in reading on the Internet is that my chances of a brain aneurysm is increased by 20 to 30% .. So do yourself a favor before any Dr. wants to inject your eyes and do some research on what it is that he wants to put in your eyes whether it be Avastin or another steroid some kind .. You can Google “side effects of Avastin”. I see on the Internet, that there are some class-action suits against the maker of Avastin. Although the drug seems to work for people with macular degeneration, my disease was branch vein retinal occlusions which as I stated in the column that eventually became blind .so do your research and get a second opinion as a lot of doctors in Sweden, France and at other European countries recommend that when you have hemorrhaging in your eyes that you not receive injections. They say eventually the bleeding will be absorbed and you would be a lot better off and even possibly regain your eyesight back to normal.