Do I really have a disability if I don't consider it one?
Hi, so this is something I have been recently thinking about (especially when I'm filling out job applications). It's whether or not I actually have a disability if I don't really consider it a disability.
I was born with a deformed optic nerve in my left eye (or that's the most recent consensus, since various eyedoctors have said different things before), causing almost complete vision loss in that eye. The eyedoctors say my vision is about 5%, while my right eye has most of its vision still (aside from nearsightedness which is corrected with glasses). Because I rely completely on my right eye for vision, I can do nearly everything a person with normal vision can. I don't have to use a cane or service animal. The only thing that I really can't do at all is look through things like teloscopes using my left eye, or microscopes. When I was learning how to shoot a firearm, even though I am left handed dominant, I had to tell the instructor that I had to use my right hand instead, because I cannot use my left eye to aim at anything. If my right eye is obstructed, I cannot read at all. I can also still drive with only minor things I have to do extra to compensate for the vision loss. But, since I've been dealing with this my whole life, it's not really a big deal for me.
So the question I'm trying to answer is, would people consider me to have a disability due to me being blind in one eye? Even though I am able to do most things regardless because of my one good eye? When I personally think about it, I don't really consider myself to have a disability because I can still see through one eye and don't really have a lot of problems that way. This especially makes me question when it comes to communities. Can I really be considered part of the blind community when I have one seeing eye?
Thanks for reading~
@mimameid
It feels llike an odd question to ask myself, but I have been there and I think many others have as well.
There's a forum post with a link you might relate to - although different from the author: https://www.7cups.com/forum/DisabilitiesSupportCommunity_47/DisabilityResources_458/Disabledornot_52217/
Things are further complicated as different organizations or support programs have different criteria for a disability.
When it comes to employers, if you feel comfortable it might be reasonable to ask the purpose of the question. It might be for stats or so that it's on file in case any accomodation needs come up in the future - which could be as simple as what side a podium is on for a presentation for a situation like yours or one where someone has hearing loss in one ear.
As for what you said about minor compensations but you're used to it - I think many people who were born with disabilities that have not had a progressive nature would say something similar.
I think it does depend on your country but personally i would class a 'disability' as a 'dis - abled' less able. So essentially if it is interfering with your everyday life and you feel that you need extra support at work and your employer would have to make 'reasonable adjustment' as required by english law to allow you to be able to perform your duties at work you should mention it.
If however your condition dosn't interfere with work and you don't require any extra support compared to an able person i would say you don't have to mention it or consider it a disability yourself. The term is essentially there to work out if someone needs extra help with looking after themselves, working or with their mobility.
@mimameid
