I'm a addicted lurker, I do not post often but i promise you do not need worry about any bridges..
I have Irlens www.irlenuk.com/irlen-syndrome-myths-facts.htm and I wear irlens lenses, which have been compleatly life changing for me.
On wednesday I lost my glasses when walking home from the cinema (i wear them all the time, but took them off briefly as it was chucking it down, i think i missed my pocket). I have searched and searched, put an ad in the paper, put up posters, left my mobile number with most shops and cafes in town and bothered the road sweeper. I can't find them.
I contacted the Irlen centre who provided me with my glasses last time, and she is happy to help me. I need to provide her with frames, and my normal prescription - which will cost me about £180, to get the same frames I had last time and then about £100 for the colour tint. so althoughter that is approx £280.
The problem is, they take 4 - 6 weeks to get the colour tint applied as they have to be sent to america. thats not including the extra week or so it will take to get frames, as i have had to order them. I'm really, really struggling without my glasses.
I'm wearing my Dp's UV block sunglasses but even with these I'm hugely noise sensitive, my pre-existing anxiety has sky rocketed already because i am sensory overloaded. I am struggling with crowds. My depth perception is screwed, reading is almost impossible and i feel sick and dizzy. I'm struggling to use my computer even with the screen filter, and relying on voice commands. I never usually take my glasses off, and i am so light sensitive I turn off the bedside light, and then remover my glasses, for instance. I have lots of other examples, but basically it is pretty unpleasant. I know, though, that hopefully i'll get used to not having the lenses, and my eyes will compensate slightly. Atm, i'm training to become a mh support worker and facilitating a course for women with mh issues. i'm also learning to drive. all three things are very, very difficult without my glasses.
The Irlen centre England (i'm in Wales) can get my glasses ordered form america and sent to me within two weeks. BUT it costs £280, rather than £100. which makes a total of approx £460.
I'm on benefits and therefore have very little money. I have severe, long standing mh issues, which I am working really hard on resolving. I am now volunteering, and applying for appropriate jobs, in fact I finished an application yesterday for a PT job I am fairly confident I may be interviewed for. There is also another, different, job coming up in Dec, & i've been promised an interview due to my voluntary work.
I'm aware i could buy cheaper frames, but i can't find any i like anywhere that are any less expensive than my old ones. I have a very small face, in that nearly all adult glasses are too big..childrens frames are only a tad too small.
Do i spend £480?
I can put it on my credit card, but i'm worried about paying it back, when benefits make saving difficult (not impossible, but difficult..and Christmas is coming up).
This potential job is quite well paid, and although the hours are going to be really variable (think 4 hours some week and 30 on others). But obviously I can't bank on this at all..
Do i suck it up & wait the 7 odd weeks it will take to get the frames and the lenses?
Wwyd? and/or AIBU to be considering spending £460 on these lenses when it was my own stupid fault for loosing them? (and yes, i am going to get insurance with this new pair!)