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• Retinitis pigmentosa
• Posted: 2010-10-12 00:51:55 By Rachel O
• Hi, I am 23 and have been diagnosed with RP since about age 6. I have never gotten my drivers license because I was always to scared. Now here I am 23 and I feel like such a loser. I have 2 kids ages 4 and my baby just turned 1. I am totally reliant in my husband and other family when i need to get anywhere and it is just so hard! Is there anyone else like this?

• Posted: 2010-10-17 19:04:56 By Mary C
• Hi I am also 23 and have been diagnosed with RP since I was about 2. I have dealt with this similar problem. I have a 4 almost 5 year old I am a military wife and full time student as well. I was scared to drive too. I couldn't drive in the state due to my eyesight but when we got stationed in OK the Dr told me I could drive here. So I went and got my license!It was the best thing I ever had done. I'm now almost done with college and work as a teachers assistant. I know the day will come when I can't drive anymore but I'm gonna enjoy my time while I can! There is always public transportation and taxicabs around too. You should really look to moving to a city where you can be more independent because I was just like you were until we got stationed here! Good luck and best of wishes to you!

• Posted: 2010-10-18 21:01:01 By John D
• I'm 29. I was diagnosed with RP at 15, got my driver's license at 16, and then lost it at 17 when I became legally blind. I'm not married. I don't have kids. My story is different than yours, but I know what it's like to feel like a loser, to feel helpless, and to feel totally dependent on others. You aren't alone.

• Posted: 2010-11-17 20:58:43 By Nicholas A
• First of all you are NOT a loser. What you are dealing with is normal with people who have RP. I'm 34 and I was born with RP. So trust me I know everything you're going through because I've been there and continue to deal with it every day. My way of thinking has changed from now to when I was your age. I'm not as depressed anymore about my RP because you have to finally come to grip that it's a part of you. There's nothing you did wrong and you're not weird or a loser. It's simply something you were born with. Be thankful you have a husband to drive you around and that you have kids. God Bless. Nick

• Posted: 2010-12-17 18:05:37 By Lindsey S
• hi Rachel, im 20 years old and have been diagnosed with RP. I try not to drive at night ever and deal with anxiety with driving all the time. it is so hard to dependent on others, i know, you're not alone.

• Posted: 2011-02-21 15:14:23 By Stephen P
• I feel the exact same way Rachel. I'm 29 and was diagnosed around age 12. I've never driver and have never been able to since in Maryland you have to have 140 continuous degrees to be able to drive. I too am married, my wife doesn't drive. I've tried to transportation services offered but none are realiable enough to make it to certain types of work, so I am underemplyed.
  
  It sucks, its frustrating. I have no tips or words of advice since i feel the same exact way, but at least you're not alone, right?