ABOUT 

Why am I here?

When you go from relatively normal vision to not, you start to notice what helps and what hey hinders. I found this particularly true when traveling. I'd made my first international trip to England in October of 2014, Everything went to shit with my vision within six weeks of returning home. So, for my next trip there in 2015, the contrast was obvious. 

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The details of what happened in that first year are in the first blog post on this site. Subsequently, my situation took a drastic turn in 2025 to 2026. That was when I became legally blind and unlocked whole new levels of navigating the world, both at home and abroad.  You'll find those details in the update in the post dated July 24, 2026.

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The thing is that the differences aren't only in navigating the physical world, but also people's attitudes. (Memphis International, I'm side-eyeing you!) Most of the people I've encountered in airports, planes, and railway stations have been marvelous. That said, because I wasn't "blind enough" at the time to have a white cane, some folks just didn't believe me. I have what's called an invisible disability. Spoiler alert:  the UK manages this better than the USA, with some exceptions (now I'm side-eyeing you, London Heathrow!).

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I've had quite the spectrum of experiences. As I went through them, I thought how what I was going through might be a good heads-up for other visually impaired people. Maybe they are coping with an invisible disability, as well. Maybe they are planning travel for someone with challenges. Either way, our exchange of experiences and advice provide a Community framework that silence cannot.

I am certainly not the only one who refuses to throw my hands up in resignation and then never venture out into the big, wide world. Perhaps, dear visitor, you are as stubborn as I am! Perhaps you just want or need to know what the experience of a low-vision person is, for the purpose of planing someone's travel or planning appropriate customer service. We really are all in this together.

I recently saw a teapot at Paddington Station, with the adorable Paddington Bear on it. It said, "If you're kind and polite, the world will be right." That's my goal here. Not making demands. Not cultivating sympathy. Not even complaining without seeking a reasonable solution. I don't want anyone feeling entitlement, resentment, or pity.  Empowerment. Empathy. That's more the ticket, for everyone involved. See the world through our eyes. Well...so to speak!

May understanding help make the world a little more right.

-- Kristyn, 12 May 2023 (updated July 25, 2026)