[Blindtlk] chalking everything up to blindness

[Graves, Diane]

Hi Bob,

This may have some truth to it, I don't know. I'm not sure what the overwhelming evidence is. I just know that I have two prostetic eyes myself. I have had these since I was a toddler, due to retinoblastoma, so I have also had some light perception as a very small child and I  don't have this problem. 

I am often tired, but this is due to a busy schedule and not the healthiest of diets, I'm sure. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea a number of years ago, and since I have been receiving treatment for this, I have much more energy.

On the rare occasions that I have trouble sleeping, it is due to the stress and worries that go along with living. The same things that keep others up at night.

In fact, my husband, who is sighted, is the one who will wake up at 3/4 in the morning, and go out to smoke a cigarette or sit and watch TV.

I just really think it is a lot more complex than just blindness. I think the researchers see the blindness and say, "oh, yes, blindness is so horrible, that this must be the problem. As others have said, if they are jumping to this conclusion, and not checking for other sleep disorders, I'm just not sure that the so-called evidence holds much water. 

Just my humble opinion.
 
 Diane Graves
Civil Rights Specialist
Indiana Civil Rights Commission
Alternative Dispute Resolutions Unit
317-232-2647
 
"It is service that measures success."
George Washington Carver
 
Confidentiality Notice: This E-mail transmission may contain confidential and/or legally privileged information intended only for the individual or entity(ies)
named in the E-mail address. If you are not the intended recipient, be advised that any unauthorized disclosure, copying, distribution, or acting in reliance
upon the contents of this E-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this E-mail transmission in error, please reply to sender to arrange for the return and proper delivery of the transmission. Subsequently, delete the message from your system immediately.
-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Robert J Smith
Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2010 10:31 AM
To: blindtlk at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Blindtlk] chalking everything up to blindness

Hi all.  I definitely agree that there is a tendency for health 
professionals to chalk problems up to blindness, but I believe in the case 
of sleep irregularities, there is solid evidence that shows that the brain 
actually needs to see light to keep its day and night cycles regulated. As 
I understand it, when the brain sees light, the production of melatonin 
which causes a person to sleep is held in check.  When a person is in the 
dark, then melatonin is produced, causing sleep.  If a person does not see 
light at all, to the brain, the person is then in a perpetual night 
surrounding so melatonin could be produced at inappropriate times causing 
drowsiness during those times.  Possibly the taking of Melatonin 
externally, regulates this a little more.

Bob Smith

This is a PRIVATE message. If you are not the intended recipient, please 
delete without copying and kindly advise us by e-mail of the mistake in 
delivery. 
NOTE: Regardless of content, this e-mail shall not operate to bind CSC to 
any order or other contract unless pursuant to explicit written agreement 
or government initiative expressly permitting the use of e-mail for such 
purpose.
_______________________________________________
blindtlk mailing list
blindtlk at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for blindtlk:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/dgraves%40icrc.in.gov