When most people think of being 13, they envision band practice, arts and crafts, social media, or sports. For Bailey McNeil, however, that year marked the beginning of a profound challenge: the gradual loss of her eyesight.
“I started losing my vision at 13,” McNeil recalls. During a visit to her eye doctor, she learned that her optic nerves had begun to pale. “He sent me to a neuro-ophthalmologist, who diagnosed me with optic atrophy.”
Optic atrophy affects the cells of the optic nerve, leading to vision loss, reduced color perception and blurred vision. By the age of 20, McNeil had completely lost her sight.
Reflecting on her educational journey, she said, “As far as learning, not much changed. I just had to adapt to not being able to see. Before losing my vision, I was definitely a visual learner, so that was kind of hard.”
In high school, McNeil faced challenges as some teachers watered down her assignments. However, things took a turn when she enrolled at Jones College.
“Here at Jones, it’s not like that. People are very accommodating and work with me to figure out the best way for me to learn,” she said.
McNeil has adopted various tools and strategies to navigate her education. Initially, she relied on magnifiers and larger prints. As her vision continued to weaken, she learned Braille and began using a Braille device, similar to a computer but in Braille format. “I also used a voice recorder to capture lectures so I could revisit them later,” she said.
To tackle assignments, McNeil utilizes JAWS, a screen reader that enables computer navigation. She praises the support provided by the Jones College testing center, where staff like Alexis Rambo and former staff member Brenay Weems have been instrumental.
“They read the tests out loud to me and are always willing to help,” she said, expressing gratitude for the personalized assistance that ensures she fully comprehends her coursework.
Social interactions have been a different story.
“Socially, I sometimes feel left out—not necessarily less than, but just excluded from things my friends do,” she admits. A particularly affecting moment arose when her friends received their driver’s licenses. “It felt like a slap in the face. I had to overcome that feeling and remind myself that some things are beyond my control.”
Despite these challenges, McNeil maintains a positive outlook. Her advice for students facing blindness is simple yet profound: “Just keep going. It will get better. Yes, it’s okay to cry about it and have a pity party, but you need to get up and keep going. It gets better.”
Addressing common misconceptions, she emphasizes the importance of respectful communication.
“When interacting with a blind person, don’t grab them by the arm. Instead, introduce yourself and ask if they’d like to hold your arm,” she advises. “Always let them know if you’re leaving the room—just so they’re not talking to a chair.”
Her face lights up with gratitude when she talks about her family’s unwavering support throughout her journey.
“They were incredibly supportive. When it all began in 2017, we were all lost and confused, but we pulled through together. Their support hasn’t wavered; they just want to see me succeed,” McNeil said.
As she prepares to graduate from Jones College in May, she is contemplating her future. This past summer, she interned at Addie McBride, a Rehabilitation Center for the Blind in Jackson. She’s considering attending Mississippi State, Southern Mississippi, or Ole Miss.
McNeil wants to share a message of hope with readers: “From personal experience, if you face something hard—whether it’s a disability or any other challenge—it will get better. If you’re a person of faith, pray about it. Prayer has helped me overcome many obstacles. Life can be scary, but you’re not promised tomorrow. So live, enjoy life, and keep going. Yes, I’m blind, but I still have to keep going. When I trip and fall, I laugh about it. It’s fine, and now I can laugh about it.”
by Jayla Jones