It's been a while since I've posted anything, but I saw that no one else had answered your questions, so I guess I will for what it's worth...
Are there any times that you guys wished that you were totally blind and not visually impaired? In the past, yes, I've sometimes thought this. It seemed to me that if I were totally blind, then at least people would know that I couldn't see and would help me. Also, I thought it would just be much simpler to explain. But, I have definitely learned to be thankful for the vision I have and to never take it for granted.
Do you think you would have been treated differently if you were blind? Probably, but I'm not so sure that would have necessarily been better.
Do you feel that being visually impaired sometimes that you are not taken seriously? Do you mean as a person, or in terms of people not believing that I have such a hard time seeing things (that I'm not exaggerating)? In general, no, I've never felt that people didn't take me seriously because of my vision impairment. Yes, there have been a few (just a few) times when I've felt that someone really didn't believe I had as much trouble seeing as I said I did.
What types of problems does your visual impairment cause for you? Well, not being able to drive is the biggest issue for me usually. I hate depending on others all the time to get me where I need to be. Sometimes I feel uncomfortable having to ask for help or for someone to make an accommodation for me. But, in general, I really don't think about it all that much.
Have you been introduced to the white cane and how old were you? No, I've never really needed one.
Have you ever been discriminated against due to your visual impairment? No, but I, personally, have never had any desire to try to get a job that I would be unable to do without very minor accommodations. I'm a teacher and just after I was hired ten years ago, some parents went to the principal with concerns about whether or not I could do the job. He didn't tell me that until a couple of years ago. He apparently told them that he was convinced that I was the one God had chosen to fill this position and he had complete confidence in my ability to properly care for and teach their children. To my knowledge, there haven't been any other issues over it with parents. (By the way, I teach middle school in a Christian school now, but I was teaching fourth grade at the time.)
Outside of work, I can't think of any time have been discriminated against. I had mostly positive experiences throughout school and college. And, I can't think of any other situations either.
Do any of you have friends who are blind or visually impaired that are your age? No, unfortunately I don't.
Do you get tired of having to educate people where you go? Sometimes yes. However, I have OA, so besides the nystagmus, people don't necessarily notice right away.