The following edited piece was written by Charise Moore on an Instagram post. I was thrilled at the thought of sharing this because it’s full of wisdom and really challenges us to think about how we view people/situations. Sometimes things aren’t as they might appear. Where people are concerned, let’s check our assumptions at the door and ‘listen’ for the entire story.
Charise Moore | Blind Beauty 64
I can’t see puddles most of the time until I’m stepping in them. But yesterday during the flooding I couldn’t see that my street turned into a river. I wanted to SEE the water so I did what most blind and visually impaired people do I FELT it.
As I was standing there deep in thought my mom snapped this picture. It looks super creepy but I loved it. My shorts are uneven, my shirt is too big and I clearly don’t match but I love how she captured just a small moment of my everyday life with RP. So raw and vulnerable.
I was 15 when I was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). Yes, I don’t “look” blind (whatever that means) but I am and everything I do takes more effort than you will ever know. I’m also awaiting the diagnosis of my deafness as I’m now deaf/blind. It looks like I do everything with ease because I’ve had years of practice. Years of having two different levels of vision and now I’m blind with hearing loss.
Currently, my vision is 20/300 in one eye and 20/40 in the other. And here is what I deal with on a daily basis:
- I don’t have depth perception,
- limited peripheral vision,
- blotchy central vision,
- completely blind in the dark,
- dim lights cause eye strain,
- flashing lights cause eye pain,
- and I can’t see street rivers but I can still see.
Even if I need my other senses at times to fill in the gaps, and I may miss something the first and fifth time I’m not complaining. Because with or without vision I am BLESSED.
Blind Beauty 64 Featured Image Description:
Featured image is a faux fashion magazine cover titled Blind Beauty. Charise Moore’s image on the cover is black & white. Charise is standing in the street in her bare feet under an umbrella while it’s raining.
Blocks of text superimposed on Charise’s photo are: “Bold–She Keeps Pressing Onward, Blind–She Has Deeper Insight, Beautiful–She Sees To The Heart Of Others.” “Real Beauty Transcends Barriers.” “Makeup Trends for 2019–How To Maintain A Flawless Look”
Additional Image:
This photo is a close-up three-quarter profile image of Charise. Face devoid of makeup, she’s a natural beauty with a golden honey complexion. She is wearing a white tank top and has a black wristwatch on her left hand which is resting lightly against her face.