I Can See Clearly Now: Understanding and Managing Blindness and Vision Loss

This is a comprehensive, highly readable guide for the blind and vision impaired, their sighted families and friends, professionals, service providers and employers. It shows how someone can successfully adjust to vision impairment, and dispels fears, misinformation and prejudices.

The book has 18 chapters divided into three parts. In the first part, I look at some of the main causes of vision loss, and discuss the complex psychological aspects of blindness and how to overcome grief, fear and anxiety. I also examine the disempowering nature of sighted people's attitudes and explain how those with vision impairment can assert their own independence.

In part two, I look at education, work, parenting, the teenage years and dating, gender and schooling to provide practical illustrations of how to manage sight loss. I use many insights gained from discussion groups to show the range and depth of experiences, insights and solutions in these important areas.

Part three offers sensible advice on being independent in the home, keeping mobile, finding the latest technology, and working with hobbies. Practical tips cover cooking, cleaning, applying make-up, shaving, working in the shed, shopping, white canes, guide dogs, public transport, apps and software, the best gadgets, and many more aspects affecting day-to-day life.

Cameron was born and raised in West Gippsland, Victoria, and in the normal course of things, may have gone on to remain a farmer to follow family tradition. However, in the summer of 1968-69, when walking through fields where a full harvest moon hung low, this golden orb suddenly disappeared. Within a few seconds the moon reappeared and there were no clouds in the sky. This mysterious event became the portent of future drama. Cameron was diagnosed to have a degenerative retinal disease with the rather droll name of retinitis pigmentosa (RP), with a prognosis leading to inevitable blindness.Despite his vision impairment, after studying Law at Monash University, Cameron, became Chief Executive Officer for the industry body representing Cooperative Housing Societies. In his Government Relations and Industry Development role, he created an environment where funding for home loans to this sector grew from $3 million in 1981, to over $680 million nine years later.During this period, Cameron worked with his wife to establish a Society for RP research. In recognition of this and his Housing Society work, he was made a Member in the Order of Australia in 1993.Turning back to the Law, Cameron conducted major test cases in nuisance and equitable interests in property, becoming a Member of Planning Panels Victoria, the ministerial advisory body on planning matters.In a final career change, he later became a Facilitator with Vision Australia where his life experiences and those of clients now form the basis of this book.