I lost the majority of my sight in 1993. I was 23 years old. The one overwhelming theme I can say I've learned again and again over the last decade is that losing your sight is far from the end of the world.

It's only a 'tragedy' if you let it be.

I've come to consider my loss of sight a blessing in many ways. My life is much better off morally, ethically, and spiritually due to my learning some lessons I may never have had a chance to, if not for my loss of sight. Truly, I lost my sight, but gained my 'vision.'

Below are some of the resources I've found to be most helpful to myself as well as others who have lost enough sight so that they are now blind, or who are dealing with low-vision ("legally-blind").

 
National Federation of the Blind (NFB)
- Not merely another organization 'for' the blind, this is an organization 'of' the blind. It's the organization that helped me get back on my feet and realize life could still be lived, and lived far more independently and productively than most people think. Thanks to the simple truth behind the NFB's philosophy on life and blindness, I've come to realize I can thrive, rather than merely survive--blind or not.

 
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), part of the U.S. Library of Congress
- A free lending library program of braille and audio materials circulated to eligible borrowers in the United States by postage-free mail.
(** Just because someone can't read print anymore doesn't mean they have to stop reading.)

 
Blinded Veterans Association
- The BVA says there are more than 100,000 blinded veterans in the USA, with 5,000 more losing their sight each year. If you know such a vet, or are that veteran losing your sight, this organization can help. (So can the rest of these resources, of course.)

 
NEWSLINE(tm) - Newspapers by Phone
- A Toll-free, free service where you can choose from hundreds of newspapers across America to enjoy with your morning coffee or tea. (Again I say, just because you now struggle or are unable to read regular print, it does not mean you have to give up reading--books OR your daily newspaper.)

 
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
- The AFB says that age-related vision loss and blindness affects about 6.5 million Americans age 55 and older.

 
Voice of the Nation's Blind
- An online publication by and for the blind, on issues involving blindness and low-vision.

 
World Blind Union
- For those of you who are not in the USA, who may be in need of help in your country and region. Blindness organizations around the world are members of the WBU.

 
List of Links to Blindness-Related Businesses
- Some links may be outdated, but most work fine. You'll find links to companies offering aids and appliances, technology, and services all adapted to work for those who are blind and visually impaired.

 
U.S. Association of Blind Athletes (USABA)
- Check out this great organization to find proof that it's not blindness that stops you from achieving your goals and dreams. Plenty of sports for blind athletes to compete in listed here.

 
List of Services for the Blind, State-by-State

 
NFBNet.org
- The National Federation of the Blind's (NFB) Listserv, with dozens of e-mail discussion lists on the various categories of life, involving blindness and low-vision. Join the lists to network and learn. You can get help with school, careers, rehabilitation, advocacy, or just get tips and advice on how to handle most any situation you'll come up against as a blind or low-vision individual.

Order Your DVS Descriptive Video Catalogue
- DVS carefully describes the visual elements of a movie--the action, characters, locations, costumes and sets--without interfering with the movie's dialogue or sound effects, so you get to follow all the action! Check your local library. My community library in the next city over has more than 100 Descriptive Videos that I can enjoy. Yours might already have some, too.