Dreaming of (And Preparing For) A White Winter

The image shows an assistance dog in the snow.

When winter rolls around, it can lead people to feel down and isolated, and for visually impaired people, it is a good idea to prepare for some of the obstacles that winter can present. There’s nothing that the elements and the seasons can throw at you that you can’t face with positivity and preparation!

Some people experience seasonal eye problems in the winter. Cold weather, like stress, is another factor that can temporarily affect vision. The windy, dry air can cause excessive watering of the eyes. Cold air evaporates the thin layer of tears on our eyes which triggers a reflex in the lacrimal gland to produce more tears. Eyes become irritated, red, and swollen, and vision becomes blurry as blood vessels in the eyes constrict. They also become increasingly sensitive to light as they face glare from the reflection of light off icy surfaces.

The winter brings other obstacles, such as reduced visibility, muffled sounds, and more difficult terrain. But there are plenty of precautions VI people can take to address them.

It may seem a strange time to start sporting a brimmed hat and shades, but wearing a brimmed hat or some anti-glare/UV glasses can negate the low sun and the light reflecting off the icy ground. Glare can not only be annoying but also quite dangerous as it could further obstruct your vision from obstacles. Secondly, shorter days mean that we spend more time in darkness. It's a good idea to get a high-visibility vest or another bright piece of clothing to wear as the nights draw in. It could also be a good idea to carry a small torch with you in case you have to read something like a bus schedule or if you're in an unfamiliar place.

Whilst it's important to stay warm, the wrong piece of clothing could prevent you from detecting things with your cane, as little vibrations may not feel the same. Leather gloves can be preferable to woollen gloves for this reason. To make sure you pick up on auditory cues from the surrounding environment, you may want to wear a beanie that can sit around your ears rather than on top of them.

The winter weather means that we'll all start spending more time indoors. It gives us more time to reflect and learn new things. So, it can be a very enriching time that can deepen our relationships, broaden our skills, and give us time to explore our interests. Of course, optical and electronic magnifiers can be great for boosting your independence indoors and out during the winter.

Photo: Marco Ciccolella 

Paralympic skiers are a great reminder that visually impaired people are well-capable of mastering the winter elements! World-champion skier Millie Knight is nearly completely blind, with 5% of her vision. She also skis downhill at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. How does she do it? Well, in her words, "I ski with my ears". Millie has a sighted guide who skis in front of her. Her guide communicates instructions through a headset in their helmets and alongside these instructions, she listens to the sound of her guide's skis. To hear what it’s like to ski blind from Millie herself, click here to watch a video.