I'm HOOOOME!! My kid's response, "How was your second day mom?" Wasn't exactly sure how to respond as this was a challenging, exhausting, frustrating at times, overwhelming, and a productive day all rolled up into one.
My day started out with a group lesson where we discussed questions such as, "What would be your ideal job?" "If you had a choice, between getting 10 million dollars or have your vision back? What would you choose?" "Which of your instructors would give you a job recommendation and why?" The million dollar question was very interesting to hear people's answers. I shared, my first inclination would be to say I wanted my vision over the millions of dollars, but mostly because I was feeling uncomfortable at the moment. I shared that this feeling might be short sighted because I didn't have the proper training and tools to be feel confident, comfortable with who I am, and independent. I know many blind and visually impaired individuals, including my own children. Blindness can be inconvenient, but shouldn't define a person or their happiness. It's definitely not a tragedy if an individual can receive the proper training, tools, and attitude towards it. Believe you me, I have met unhappy sighted peeps and happy blind peeps.
After group lesson, I participated in Home Management, Orientation & Mobility & Keyboarding.
In Home Management, I spent most my time orienting myself to the kitchen, finding the large and small appliances, silverware, kitchen tools, etc.. I am in class with two other students. One student made a fruit salad and then turned it into smoothies for everyone. The other made a cherry cobbler. Really cool to witness and partake of their Success.
Orientation & Mobility was spent in the back hallway near my office. To give you perspective, I was told that walking the hall 6 times would equal 1 mile. I believe I walked it at least 10 times, practicing my cane techniques which was put to the test when I was asked to find all of my classes for the next day. The first time, I was successful in finding all of my classes, except one. I had gone too far before making a right and ended up in a room full of supplies. My first thought was, "Why the heck are there canes and a chair in the hall." "Really, did I just think that?" was my follow up thought. I got a bit frustrated which is not a good thing when I should be thinking and problem solving. My O&M instructor came in, and rather than guide me out started prompting me with who could I hear, where did I think I was, etc.. Once I found the door (after what felt like 10 minutes), I was back in the hallway where I was able to find everything again. Success.
My last class of the day was Keyboarding. I was pretty excited for this class, because I felt like this wouldn't be "as" challenging. Let's just say I was completely wrong. On a good day, I typically type 50-60 wpm, using my Mac keyboard. Today it took me 35 minutes to just log into the computer. I was suppose to type in a specific password to get into the typing program. I lost track after typing it wrong 20 times and was like, 'What the H Mario?" Because passwords are asterisks (*) on a screen, I was only hearing "asterisk, asterisk, asterisk.." instead of the letter and unable to pinpoint the mistyped letter. After I was successful, I gasped, "Finally, what the H.E. Double Toothpicks!!!" Yup, said it exactly like that without swearing. I had 15 minutes left of class and was able to complete 6 lessons. 93 to go.
Selfie with sleepshades during my lunch break.
My day started out with a group lesson where we discussed questions such as, "What would be your ideal job?" "If you had a choice, between getting 10 million dollars or have your vision back? What would you choose?" "Which of your instructors would give you a job recommendation and why?" The million dollar question was very interesting to hear people's answers. I shared, my first inclination would be to say I wanted my vision over the millions of dollars, but mostly because I was feeling uncomfortable at the moment. I shared that this feeling might be short sighted because I didn't have the proper training and tools to be feel confident, comfortable with who I am, and independent. I know many blind and visually impaired individuals, including my own children. Blindness can be inconvenient, but shouldn't define a person or their happiness. It's definitely not a tragedy if an individual can receive the proper training, tools, and attitude towards it. Believe you me, I have met unhappy sighted peeps and happy blind peeps.
After group lesson, I participated in Home Management, Orientation & Mobility & Keyboarding.
In Home Management, I spent most my time orienting myself to the kitchen, finding the large and small appliances, silverware, kitchen tools, etc.. I am in class with two other students. One student made a fruit salad and then turned it into smoothies for everyone. The other made a cherry cobbler. Really cool to witness and partake of their Success.
Orientation & Mobility was spent in the back hallway near my office. To give you perspective, I was told that walking the hall 6 times would equal 1 mile. I believe I walked it at least 10 times, practicing my cane techniques which was put to the test when I was asked to find all of my classes for the next day. The first time, I was successful in finding all of my classes, except one. I had gone too far before making a right and ended up in a room full of supplies. My first thought was, "Why the heck are there canes and a chair in the hall." "Really, did I just think that?" was my follow up thought. I got a bit frustrated which is not a good thing when I should be thinking and problem solving. My O&M instructor came in, and rather than guide me out started prompting me with who could I hear, where did I think I was, etc.. Once I found the door (after what felt like 10 minutes), I was back in the hallway where I was able to find everything again. Success.
My last class of the day was Keyboarding. I was pretty excited for this class, because I felt like this wouldn't be "as" challenging. Let's just say I was completely wrong. On a good day, I typically type 50-60 wpm, using my Mac keyboard. Today it took me 35 minutes to just log into the computer. I was suppose to type in a specific password to get into the typing program. I lost track after typing it wrong 20 times and was like, 'What the H Mario?" Because passwords are asterisks (*) on a screen, I was only hearing "asterisk, asterisk, asterisk.." instead of the letter and unable to pinpoint the mistyped letter. After I was successful, I gasped, "Finally, what the H.E. Double Toothpicks!!!" Yup, said it exactly like that without swearing. I had 15 minutes left of class and was able to complete 6 lessons. 93 to go.
Success.
You. Rock. It's a whole new world, under those shades. Props to you, my friend!!
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