What a Legally Blind Person Can See | NYT Opinion

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In the Opinion video above, the filmmaker James Robinson introduces us to Yvonne Shortt, who is legally blind. But unlike the stereotype of the blind living in a lightless world, Ms. Shortt, like most other legally blind people, lives a nuanced existence between those who see well and those who can’t see a thing.
Ms. Shortt has retinitis pigmentosa, a disease that causes progressive loss of sight. She can see some things some of the time, depending on various factors, including the amount of ambient light, her distance from the object and the object’s location in her field of vision.
In this short film, Mr. Robinson simulates what it’s like to be Ms. Shortt, navigating her world with progressively declining eyesight but also recognizing what she has gained even as she has lost something so precious.
This is the first in a three-part series of videos by Mr. Robinson, who made “Whale Eyes,” a short Opinion film published last year that was nominated for an Emmy Award, about his own disabling eye condition. “Adapt-Ability,” an Opinion Video series, explores how it feels to live with a disability, and the ways in which society can adjust to be more inclusive of people with disabilities.

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[ericwalters]

I have RP and this is the best depiction of what I've been dealing with. People see me with a white cane and then I pick up my phone or read a menu at a restaurant. I get some funny looks and have heard horror stories of RP patients being attacked or harassed because people think we are faking. Vision loss is very varied and so many people don't understand that. Thanks for a great short and thanks to Yvonne!

[schoen]

What an amazing video. I have RP and this is the best video I’ve ever seen describing my condition. Thank you for putting this out there, it’s educational value is tremendous.

[Ryan_Alwi]

Wow, I had no idea! The second I heard the analogy of seeing blindness as a light switch I feel like my eyes were opened and I've been so wrong for so long, but no more!

[deborahvanness]

Thank you SO much for creating this video! I have RP, and this is the best description of having this visual impairment that I have ever seen. I have shared it widely, and am so grateful to have this resource for describing the impacts of RP. Great job, James, and thanks to the New York Times for supporting this important work!

[davidfl]

This was very inspiring, I don’t have this condition but when she talked about the assumptions we make about people based on what we see, that really touched me

[Toby]

Beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing a bit of you with us, Yvonne. You’ve left me with food for thoughts.

[fabiorezzonico]

I've a condition that causes symptoms which are similar to RP and this is the best simulation I've ever seen of my visual field. I can relate so much to Yvonne's story and feelings. This video deserves broad sharing. Great job NYT!

[jacin]

Thank you. A friend with RP shared your video and it helped me understand much better her condition and also the process a number in my family with macular degeneration are going through.

Your art is wonderful. I appreciate your sharing it as part of your journey.

[alfredpiper]

Utter class. This woman is a total gem of a human. Hats off to you madam and congrats to the director for making such a fantastically engaging and poignant video!

[HayaJi]

Well done James and thank you Yvonne for letting us into your world 🤗 - inspirational!

[HeyMJ.]

An excellent interview and production. Thank you for collaborating & bringing RP to the forefront; highlighting its progressive nature, vision cues /symptoms, and how to overcome fear of the unknown (w/love).

[chinnyb]

That's scary, becoming blind is very scary and I hope we get more research on this.

[v.emiltheii-nd.]

"Though they suffer, they are blessed. Though they're blind, they move forward."

[christyabercrombie]

I believe you were chosen, not to be blind, but to be the one with help be the best voice to your disease.

[peteygbklyn]

This is a brilliantly made and touching video of Yvonne Shortt and her condition - thank you!

[angeladial]

I echo the other fellow RPers, this is a phenomenal description. Thank you all for the work on this subject.

[BiodegradableYTP]

Really happy to see NYT feature more of James's work. Can't wait for the next video in this series. Very enlightening and poignant stuff :^)

[TeamTriplehorn]

I have RP as well and have been sending this to all my loved ones to help explain my situation. The absolute best visualization I have “seen” ;)

My daughter’s first reaction was utter shock that I can’t see her full face yet I call her beautiful everyday.

[bella]

Im registered blind i have oculocutaneous albinism and i use a cane its the best thing it lets other people know that you cant see properly. I see everything blurred and dont see detail and cant see much of anything on a night so my vision fluctuates in different light. I GET THE SAME YOU DONT LOOK BLIND that winds me up 🤨 i dont recognise people unless i either recognise their voice or they are within a few metres of me and at night they would have to be within a metre. So blindness is total sight loss

[brianhabing]

This was a beautiful video. Great job NYT.