As the years go by, some of the blind blunders and battles that made me anxious, angry, or annoyed in the past have slowly converted into what I'm going to call "blind blessings".

Personslly, going blind in a matter of months was the farthest thing from a blessing. I can’t change my eyesight, but I've been able to change my mindset (for the most part) about this unexpected life. For example - I can’t drive which totally sucks and always will, but the blessing is that I get to spend more one on one time with friends and family when they drive me places. Such a better way to think about things. Right?

So, I got to thinking. There is bound to be at least 19 of these blind blessing conversions that I will bring, or drag kicking and screaming into 2019!

19 BLIND BLESSINGS

1. Low vision. I have most of my peripheral vision remaining - it’s not great, but I use every bit of it.

2. I am able to “see” people for who they are on the inside - their mind, heart, and soul. Those tell me more about a person than the color of their skin, choice of clothing, or a new hairstyle ever will.

3. I have met some fantastic people inside and outside of the LHON and blind community. Many of them have become close friends. 

4. The opportunities to speak to large and small audiences - about ways to support the blind, promote local assistive tech, and/or tell my story is a rapudly growing passion.

5. I can’t see the extra 20 pounds in the mirror. A blessing and a curse.

6. I don’t care what nasty color my fruit and veggie smoothie is. I just drink the sh*t.

7. My friends can see when my wine glass is almost empty. Needless to say, I rarely have an empty glass.

8. Stemless wine glasses. Perfect for #7.

9. Asking for help or accepting an offer of help isn’t as difficult as it used to be.

10. I can tell the difference between peanut butter, plain, and peanut M&Ms by feel. Explains #5.

11. I can “blindly” cut a piece of cake that is a bit more than I should eat. Oh, damn. Explains #5.

12. Assistive technology and Apps for the blind are better than ever.

13. I can scroll through my emails and social media, text and make phone calls, plus lots of other stuff - on my iPhone/iPad even though I can't see the screen.

14. I’m not obsessed with taking selfies.

15. I discovered how I can create my own images and graphics on my computer with the use of  Canva.

16. Spider? WHAT spider??

17. My white cane can get me a front row seat if I work it just right!.

18. I am able to support others who are trying to cope and live with vision loss.

and

19. My blog is, and continues to be successful and is shared all over the world by my awesome followers!!  

So, there ya go. I know there are more than 19 "blind blessings" in my life - but I'm gonna stick to the 19 into 2019 theme today. I want to give a big thank you to all of you who follow and share my blog!! You guys are a huge blessing to me!! Wishing you good health, lotsa love, and heaps of happiness in 2019!