Please be patient with my posts.

[redstatebluegirl]

Please be patient with my posts lately and from here on in. I am losing my sight and have gotten a larger screen but I find I still make some typos off and on. It is not intentional. No matter how big I make the font it is still hazy at times. I have good days and bad ones but I find that I make more mistakes when I type than I used to. I try and do a spell check each time, but sometimes I forget. Just don't bring out the grammar and spelling police on me ok?

[Bradshaw3]

1. You are doing just fine

[redstatebluegirl]

3. Thank you, it has been gradual but is getting worse.

Not sure how much longer I can work part time but we will see.

[iluvtennis]

19. Ditto on you doing just fine

[CTyankee]

2. I am so sorry to hear about this. Hang in there.

Sight loss is heartbreaking. Please take care...

[redstatebluegirl]

6. Thank you.

Not looking for sympathy really, I just didn't want people to think my brain quit working .

[Thor_MN]

4. Have you considered using some the accessibilty options?

Assuming you are using Windows, there are low visibility themes and text readers that will say text out loud.

Worth checking out to see if they are of any use to you.

[redstatebluegirl]

10. Thanks, it might help me keep working for a while.

Most of what i do is online research. It has become a struggle for sure. Thanks Dad for that gene.

[Thor_MN]

21. My dad's 95 year old brother is functionally blind.

My dad's vision is getting worse, and there is vision issues on my mom's side as well.

Corrective lens for me since third grade, so vision is something I appreciate.

[redstatebluegirl]

23. I was kind of gobsmacked when they told me I had md.

I went to Chicago to see a specialist and they had good and bad news. The past couple of months it has gotten much worse. I read so much for business and pleasure it makes me nuts to think that is the sense I am losing but I have come to terms with it as much as you can. I know there are people here on DU with much more serious issues, this will not kill me, it will just change my life.

[StarryNite]

25. MACULAR DEGENERATION MEDICAL MARIJUANA RESEARCH OVERVIEW

I just heard something about this on the news...

Findings: Effects of Cannabis on Macular Degeneration

The effects of cannabis on macular degeneration have yet to be adequately studies, but research indicates that cannabinoids like cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) offer neuroprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects that may be beneficial for improving cell survival in the eyes and encouraging eye health5. Cannabinoids have demonstrated as having neuroprotective properties that may inhibit cell death and vision loss in the case of degenerative eye disorders like retinitis pigmentosa1,6.

An animal study found both CBD and THC effective for limiting the formation of peroxynitrade, a potent oxidant responsible for retinal neuron death2. In another study CBD treatments significantly reduced oxidative stress, decreased the levels of levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, and prevented retinal cell death in the diabetic retina3.

In what further suggests that cannabinoids may be able to play a therapeutic role in patients with degenerative eye diseases, studies have found evidence that cannabinoids increase the light sensitivity of cells in the retina, effectively improving low-light vision7,8.

https://news.medicalmarijuanainc.com/macular-degeneration-medical-marijuana-research-overview/

[redstatebluegirl]

27. Thank you, getting it in Oklahoma will be a challenge though.

This state refuses to move into the 21st century.

[japple]

40. Someone posted this in another thread. Hemp oil is legal without a prescription and can be

purchased in all 50 states.

https://www.cwhemp.com/all-charlottes-web-cannabinoid-hemp-cbd-supplements/everyday-extract-oils

I have the dry form of macular degeneration. I take PreserVision supplements, but I'm thinking about ordering the Everyday Hemp Oil. -It can't hurt. Best of luck to you in finding solutions to your eye issues. My mother had an ocular triple-whammy: glaucoma, MD, and ocular herpes. She was still reading at age 84 when she died.

[redstatebluegirl]

43. Thanks!

[StarryNite]

57. Good to know!

[japple]

59. Feel free to spread it around. Sounds like a good solution. I haven't tried it

yet, but it sounds like what Martha Stewart would call "a good thing."

[StarryNite]

62. natural health remedies

Thank you! I feel natural health remedies are the way to go when at all possible.

[Thor_MN]

30. I hear you. I read encylopedias growing up.

I once read pages of a newspaper that had been used to wrap a smoked fish because that's all there was to read. I think that I will eventually have macular degeneration myself, having had ancestors with it on both sides of my family. My eye doc says I have the blondest retinas she has ever seen, but things are stable at this point.

[redstatebluegirl]

45. Keep a close eye on it.

Don't miss any eye appointments. Finding it early and doing what they tell you can hold it at bay for a while.

[bathroommonkey76]

5. Do you have any software that reads out content for you?

Here is an extension for Chrome users:

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/chromevox/kgejglhpjiefppelpmljglcjbhoiplfn

[redstatebluegirl]

8. No not yet, I have put it off. I guess it is a way of saying, yep I can't see.

As I said it is not for sympathy, I just don't want people to think I'm a moron.

[bathroommonkey76]

9. Give that extension a try

I'm running it on my computer right now- I bet it will be very helpful for you.

[redstatebluegirl]

11. I wall it may help me keep working.

[bathroommonkey76]

16. That extention will read out what you are typing

and it will read the text of your replies. Be sure to click on the box that you are wanting to hear so it will read it to you. I might put this on my grandmother's tablet- She's had macular degeneration in both her eyes for over 20 years. She's basically blind- but if you ask her shell tell you she can see. lol

[redstatebluegirl]

18. That is what I am dealing with at age 62.

[bathroommonkey76]

22. I'm starting to go through it myself at age 41.

My mother passed it down to me and my sister. For over two years I have been seeing floaters in my left eye and shadows that aren't there. It's scary for sure.

Technology will help you in today's world. Don't be ashamed of losing your sight. From the looks of your posts you seem to be doing fine. My mangled sentences on the other hand are way more worse than anything I have read from you.

[redstatebluegirl]

24. Thanks for that, my boss pointed out something I sent to an RA this morning and asked

what was going on. I am going to have to tell him soon with hopes he won't terminate me, I need my insurance.

[fierywoman]

77. My very dearest friend who lost the vast majority of her sight

uses Mac stuff to read for her. Even her husband, who is a frighteningly brilliant PC guy (he was one of the Microsoft guys who rewired? reconnected? lower Manhatten after 911) agrees that for her, Mac works better.

However, it's not perfect, be patient.
xoxox and hugs.

[herding cats]

7. You're doing great.

[lunatica]

12. Grammar and spelling Nazis should be excoriated till they cease!

[CatMor]

13. Your posts you just did are all fine.....

I have good sight and I make typos all the time.

[redstatebluegirl]

14. I had one this morning I had to go back and fix. It had 4 typos in it which is why I posted.

[TexasProgresive]

15. I am so sorry about your eyesight. I have always appreciated your posts

from a redstateblueboy.

[redstatebluegirl]

17. Thank you I am staying until I can't any longer, I love this place!

[bluepen]

20. If someone tries to harass you over a typo

I am sure many here will stand by you. Don’t let anyone ruin your enjoyment of DU!

EDIT: I hope that didn’t sound condescending. That was not my intention, and I’m not assuming you need help standing up for yourself.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

26. Calling Skittles!

She'll take care of any complaints.

[sprinkleeninow]

28. I make typos and sometimes just say, oh heck, and leave 'em.

I myself am supposed to go for followup on glaucoma. Don't need another added attraction at this stage.

My mom had it and managed it for decades till she reposed at 92.

I shouldn't be stupid and keep putting off getting treatment.

You're doing fine.
Keeping you in my heart for the infirmity having been placed upon you. 💛

[lpbk2713]

29. Bookmarking.

If an anal retentive type seems to be a bit too critical I'll give them a link to this OP.

[redstatebluegirl]

32. Thank you.

[Doreen]

31. From the posts of yours I have read you are doing fine.

Just remember you are doing way better than trump and he has no good reason as you do.

[redstatebluegirl]

34. Well my great niece who is in the second grade is doing beter than Trump :-). Thanks though!

[Doreen]

44. I think we are ALL doing better than trump.

[Floyd R. Turbo]

33. Precisely why typos and grammar should not be criticized! One never knows what another is

experiencing or the challenges they may be facing.

[Heartstrings]

35. No worries....

Take care of yourself.....

[Skittles]

36. is someone picking on you, redstatebluegal?

REPORT THEM TO ME MY SWEET; yes INDEED

[redstatebluegirl]

38. I had someone send me a message this morning that was a little

nasty I thought. I handled it, I told them about my issues and they apologized. Thanks for the support though! Love you and your posts Skittles!

[Skittles]

50. OK

AND BACK AT YA, BABE

[A-Schwarzenegger]

47. there you are!

i sent up the SkittlesSignal upthread...

[Duppers]

37. In the same boat, sweetie

But I cannot even blame my sight; mine's due to dyslexia, impatience, ADD, and my stupidity. Seriously.

[redstatebluegirl]

39. That is why people here need to be more patient. we are not stupid, we have an issue we are dealing

with. Hugs to you Duppers!

[iamateacher]

41. Hey I have no vision problems and still have typos

It is the evil auto correct....

[3catwoman3]

42. It sounds like you have a resilient...

...spirit, which I admire more than I can say.

No apologies needed or accepted.

[ailsagirl]

51. Ditto what 3catwoman3 said

[mfcorey1]

46. Not a problem!

[Hekate]

48. I'm so sorry to hear this. Please hang in there with us & continue to be a DU voice. Hugs. nt

[greatauntoftriplets]

49. All the best to you.

I'm so sorry that this is happening to you.

[steve2470]

52. no worries here! :))

You might want to put in your "signature" that you are vision-impaired and to cut you slack with your typing. Just a kindly suggestion. If you need help with the signature line, please ask us.

[underpants]

53. Have you contacted your state agency on blindness?

https://www.ok.gov/abletech/Resources/Resources_for_Vision_Disabilities.html

[redstatebluegirl]

69. I have now that it has gotten worse. I go next

Week to see them.

[underpants]

71. Good

Look into the NFB and the AFB - those people don't take no for an answer. There are resources available to you.

[LuckyCharms]

54. You are among friends and like minded people.

Your post here looks great. Also, if anyone should give you any crap, somebody will jump in to get them to back off.

[Blindingly apparent]

55. I fully empathize with you as I am in the same boat

I have been going blind for the last 10 years but managed to continue working until two years ago. Posting anything can be real difficult even using many of the accessibility aids. I dictate my post and then spend many minutes correcting the mistakes that are the results of using an imperfect tool.

As you make your decision about retiring I will be thinking of you and praying that all goeswell. I look forward to reading your future posts.

[Cobalt Violet]

56. I'm all for firing the grammar and spelling police.

I hope you have more good days than bad days.

[USALiberal]

58. +1000, I would love to ban them! :-)

[Grammy23]

60. Thank You for posting about your eyesight situation.

We need to be reminded that not everyone who has mistakes is lazy or inattentive to detail. We can be a fairly heartless bunch at times. But I must say there are some here who are kind and thoughtful and remember to not jump to conclusions. Thank You again for appealing to our better angels to remember none of us is perfect and mistakes will happen. Be kind. It hurts no one to be nice, but may hurt someone deeply with a snide remark or snarky reply.

[NBachers]

61. I sympathize - went blind in one eye a few years ago, the other one feels like a patched-up

retread most of the time.

[Honeycombe8]

63. Only a limited # of people will see this. You can make a permanent signature to appear

You can make a permanent signature to appear at the bottom of all your posts.

[blueinredohio]

64. You're doing fine at least you're still trying my daughter said the doctor told her she has it.

Keep posting

[mountain grammy]

65. A good reminder for us all.. thanks

and will be hoping for the best for you. You're doing fine.

[CaptainTruth]

66. I'm so sorry, I can imagine how hard it must be.

You have my patience, & my encouragement... don't give up! Do what you need to do. We understand.

[Ukapau]

67. Redstatebluegirl --

Have you ever tried Dragon Naturally Speaking? This is dictation software that I force most of the people come into my office to look at.

This is my favorite piece of software. It cost $150 from Amazon.com but it works wonderfully. Some of the older versions of it cost much less but there also very good.

If you have to put words on paper (or anywhere) this is very easy way to do it.

Take a look on YouTube for demonstration of this.

[redstatebluegirl]

68. Thank you!

[Ukapau]

70. I've been using Dragon NaturallySpeaking for about 10 years and it has simply gotten better and better.

I remember entering college in the early 60s with electric typewriter in white out and I thought that was great. But Dragon NaturallySpeaking is absolutely terrific for putting words on paper.

In addition, it's easy to record them in a digital recorder and then have the computer transcribed recording.

I'm very sorry to hear about your vision difficulty. But hopefully software like Dragon will allow you to publish more easily and more widely.

[malaise]

72. They're just fine

[mahina]

73. love and aloha to you redstateblue girl.

Hang in there sister.

[JDC]

74. This better than fine and ignore the grammar and spelling folks

I do

[RandomAccess]

75. Please add a note to this effect to your sig line

That might make it easier for people to comply. I'm sure not everyone at DU can read every post.

Good luck to you. I am hoping there's a way for you NOT to lose your sight.

[keithbvadu2]

76. That's OK... I find that all keyboards missssssspell.

[spanone]

78. ...

[redstatebluegirl]

79. Thanks everyone.

I think the grammar police just got to me . I am looking into the software some of you have suggested. It might help me at work as well. Love DU people!