Ramifications of refusing to accept vision loss
I love questions!
A reader asked: what are the ramifications of refusing to accept vision loss?
Denying or refusing to accept the reality of one’s own sight loss can have wide-ranging emotional, psychological, and even physical ramifications.
Major concerns include:
Delayed Adjustment and Rehabilitation
Individuals who deny their vision loss often delay seeking crucial services like orientation and mobility training, assistive technology instruction, or counseling. This can lead to:
Increased risk of injury or disorientation.
Dependency on others.
Loss of autonomy in daily life.
Emotional Toll
Denial may initially serve as a coping mechanism, but over time it can evolve into chronic stress, unresolved grief, and internalized shame.
Common emotional consequences include:
Depression due to loss of identity or perceived worth.
Frustration and anger when daily tasks become more difficult.
Isolation, especially if the person avoids disclosing their vision loss to others.
Disruption of Identity and Relationships
Sight loss often forces a reevaluation of one’s sense of self. If this shift is resisted, a person may cling to roles or responsibilities that are no longer sustainable, leading to:
Burnout.
Strained family dynamics.
Miscommunication with friends or colleagues.
Missed Opportunities for Empowerment
Acceptance can lead to learning new skills, discovering community, and rebuilding purpose. Without it, people often remain stuck in a cycle of loss without growth.
People in the early stages of adjusting to personal vision loss need compassionate support and honesty. It bears mentioning a person may be in the early emotional stages of adjustment even if the loss occurred years ago.
Why might this happen, you ask?
Societal attitudes contribute to anxiety and can lower expectations of self for a person coming to terms with new vision loss.
Family, friends, or others may inadvertently undermine positive change by assuming a person is helpless, less capable, or a burden. When the surrounding environment offers unhelpful messages—whether subtle or overt— a person may buy into any one of these beliefs.
This, sadly, may stall personal growth and adaptation before it ever begins.
Thanks for the question. I hope that helps!