dealing w/ boyfriend that has retinitis pigmentosa

my boyfriend has X-linked inheritence retinits pigmentosa, he was diagnosed when he was about 9 the doctors told him that he would be fully blind by the time he was 19 he is now 31 and isnt fully blind except for at night time. he has informed me that his vision is getting worse now. he knows that there are times when his vision makes him angry or depressed right now i dont think he wants to deal with it because we have a 1 year old son. but does anyone know of any support groups for people w/and relative of people with this disease. when is it time to start looking into guide dogs?  my boyfriend is fully blind in the dark, so im not sure if he qualifies yet to have a guide dog, because as long as there is a substantial amount of light he can see semi fine.

if anyone has any information or supporting options id like to hear them

thank you for your time to read this.

[berrywoo]

Go look at the Foundation Fighting Blindness website an organization that helps educate and raise funds for RP and related conditions: www.blindness.org. Also, if you live in the U.S. contact your local depart of Services for the Blind, or Lion's Club, they can help steer you in the right direction about Orientation and Mobility classes and registering for a guide dog. Most people start of learning to use a white cane first and then if they decide to they can register for a guide dog. Generally, there is a wait list for guide dogs and the training period is pretty intensive about 3-6 months. Also, the above organizations can help you get in touch with support groups.

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

Good advice from berrywoo.

Dr. O.