Thursday, December 20, 2012
Our Christmas Wishes
In my last post, I asked you to share your Christmas wishes. I was a little disappointed with the response but I also know people are busy.
I want to share the ones I did get with you:
Wendy Hoy - "My christmas wish is too see my grands grow again i love watching them merry christmas cheryl and everyone may all your dreams come true!"
Lois Miller - "My Christmas wish is that people become more aware of the world around them, thus seeing a friend or stranger in need!"
Joey Sink-Oiler - "As for my Christmas wish, it is that everyone would get to be with the people they love and care about. That has and will always mean more to me than anything else! :) Time with one another is the best gift of all."
Iris Casey - "EVERYONE ASKS ME WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR CHRISTMAS, BUT NOT ONE PERSON CAN GIVE ME WHAT I'D REALLY LIKE!!! SO HERE IT IS (WORLD PEACE, AN LOVE ONE ANOTHER)...... LOVE AN ENJOY EACH OTHER IN THIS NEW YEAR... GOD BLESS ALL .."
I have many wishes:
I wish the hatred and intolerance of others would stop. I wish that people could disagree respectfully. There is no need for name calling or personal attacks. I want man's inhumanity to man to stop!
I want everyone to start a jar or box of blessings, good things and precious memories on January 1st, 2013 and read them all (or most) out loud to their family and friends on January 1, 2014. We will all be amazed at how truly blessed we are.
I want everyone to find peace, happiness and love. Sounds pretty lofty doesn't it? Sometimes we have to look within. If it is not there, then look up.
I want everyone to pay it forward, it can be as simple as buying someone a cup of coffee when they are having a bad day, or share a warm open-hearted smile with a stranger. There are many, many things that you can do. Wouldn't it be wonderful if it became a habit?
I pray for world peace and the end of hunger, and my list can go on and on for hours but I will end this instead by wishing you all of the love and happiness your hearts can hold.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Wishes and Wonder
Since my last post I have been very busy getting ready for Christmas and other things. I know other people are busy this time of year too.
I had a great birthday and celebrated with family and friends on Sunday. On Monday, I enjoyed another fun-filled evening with my best crew-the girls. We enjoyed a nice dinner at Rosa & Rocco's. The food was excellent and the company even better! I was also honored with many birthday wishes on Facebook!
Funny how we all showed up for dinner wearing black! Now...hold on...that does not mean I turned 50! I will admit, it is getting close. Sky diving at 50! Who is in?
My father is finally home from the hospital. He got through bypass surgery only to experience a heart attack a few days later. He is mending and I am grateful that he is on the way to recovery as well as for those of you who kept him in your thoughts and prayers.
I am still taking orientation and mobility training. I do not know where John's patience comes from. We went walking last Wednesday evening. It was an interesting experience. When we came to a busy street that we needed to cross (and we had the right of way), he said, don't worry they will stop because you have a white cane. When that did not happen, he said, they stop in Columbus. I said, people in Columbus carry guns...here they just run you over. I think he thought I was serious at first.
He thought we should report the offenders. I asked how and he said we could turn in their license numbers. I had to laugh because you can't do that if you can't see the number. He laughed too and reminded me that he could see the numbers.
I strolled along with my marshmallow tipped cane down several streets. I ran into numerous trash bags and cans because it was the night before the trash run. This should not happen. Garbage should be in the tree lawn close to the curb...not on the sidewalk.
Many of the sidewalks in Marion are dangerous. I hugged a tree a couple of times. Kissing an Oak tree was not on my wish list and there was no mistletoe!
Did you know that those orangish tile looking things with bumps on them are for the blind? You see them around the courthouse and many places where there is new construction or pavement replacement. I thought they were for wheelchairs. I thought it was to keep them from rolling into the street at intersections. Who knew? My feet can now do the braille happy dance. Joey will be so proud!
My world is changing. I have received so many wonderful visual aids. I can read a menu again.... I can read! I can battle the sunlight.
In October I went for my functional and clinical evaluations in Columbus. I had the opportunity to see some of the new technology available to those that are visually impaired or blind. I was absolutely wonderstruck. I had the chance to use some of the equipment while I was there. I worked with Diane who is wonderful. After my evaluation she recommended a much larger computer monitor, ZoomText software, low vision keyboards, a CCTV, computer glasses, special sunglasses, a portable video magnifier, a couple of stand magnifiers, special flashlights, a telescope, orientation and mobility training and more.
I was blessed, Vision Rehabilitation Services approved everything that was recommended and I am now a member of the enhanced vision tech world.
I have the honor and privilege of seeing things I have not seen in many years. It is overwhelming!
I cannot express my gratitude enough.
My Christmas wishes are simple. I could list them here but I would like to hear what your Christmas wishes are to share in my next blog post. Please share some of your wishes with us.
May you all feel loved and blessed.
I had a great birthday and celebrated with family and friends on Sunday. On Monday, I enjoyed another fun-filled evening with my best crew-the girls. We enjoyed a nice dinner at Rosa & Rocco's. The food was excellent and the company even better! I was also honored with many birthday wishes on Facebook!
Funny how we all showed up for dinner wearing black! Now...hold on...that does not mean I turned 50! I will admit, it is getting close. Sky diving at 50! Who is in?
My father is finally home from the hospital. He got through bypass surgery only to experience a heart attack a few days later. He is mending and I am grateful that he is on the way to recovery as well as for those of you who kept him in your thoughts and prayers.
I am still taking orientation and mobility training. I do not know where John's patience comes from. We went walking last Wednesday evening. It was an interesting experience. When we came to a busy street that we needed to cross (and we had the right of way), he said, don't worry they will stop because you have a white cane. When that did not happen, he said, they stop in Columbus. I said, people in Columbus carry guns...here they just run you over. I think he thought I was serious at first.
He thought we should report the offenders. I asked how and he said we could turn in their license numbers. I had to laugh because you can't do that if you can't see the number. He laughed too and reminded me that he could see the numbers.
I strolled along with my marshmallow tipped cane down several streets. I ran into numerous trash bags and cans because it was the night before the trash run. This should not happen. Garbage should be in the tree lawn close to the curb...not on the sidewalk.
Many of the sidewalks in Marion are dangerous. I hugged a tree a couple of times. Kissing an Oak tree was not on my wish list and there was no mistletoe!
Did you know that those orangish tile looking things with bumps on them are for the blind? You see them around the courthouse and many places where there is new construction or pavement replacement. I thought they were for wheelchairs. I thought it was to keep them from rolling into the street at intersections. Who knew? My feet can now do the braille happy dance. Joey will be so proud!
My world is changing. I have received so many wonderful visual aids. I can read a menu again.... I can read! I can battle the sunlight.
In October I went for my functional and clinical evaluations in Columbus. I had the opportunity to see some of the new technology available to those that are visually impaired or blind. I was absolutely wonderstruck. I had the chance to use some of the equipment while I was there. I worked with Diane who is wonderful. After my evaluation she recommended a much larger computer monitor, ZoomText software, low vision keyboards, a CCTV, computer glasses, special sunglasses, a portable video magnifier, a couple of stand magnifiers, special flashlights, a telescope, orientation and mobility training and more.
I was blessed, Vision Rehabilitation Services approved everything that was recommended and I am now a member of the enhanced vision tech world.
I have the honor and privilege of seeing things I have not seen in many years. It is overwhelming!
I cannot express my gratitude enough.
My Christmas wishes are simple. I could list them here but I would like to hear what your Christmas wishes are to share in my next blog post. Please share some of your wishes with us.
May you all feel loved and blessed.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Candy Canes, White Canes, Friends & More!
I had a dream awhile back that I did not quite understand. Sometimes dreams work that way. I dreamt I was walking down the street using a Candy Cane. I am not particulary fond of Candy Canes or mint for that matter but I also knew that this wasn't your typical sweet dream....why? Because I remembered it!
Dreaming about walking with a candy cane is silly but when it rained the red stripes washed off in a puddle around my feet and then I understood.
A couple of days later I received a call from John. John is my orientation and mobility instructor. His job is to teach me how to stay mobile with my vision loss and how to make the most of my useful vision. His gift to me was a white cane with a rolling marshmallow tip.
The truth is that I looked at that cane as an Albatross around my neck. Afterall, I have gotten by without it forever.
John is a patient, encouraging man. He walked with me in the dark with a white cane to work and back. Low lighting, cracks in the sidewalk, bad sidewalks, curbs and traffic have not always been my friend. John did keep me from slamming into a street sign that was face level.
My cane has a rolling tip so it glides easily along until I hit something.
Forcing myself to practice with it before my next class will be hard but I will get around to it.
Speaking about hard things...this is a very hard time of year for many people. Please pull out some extra compassion, kindness and patience for others.
I know people who are struggling with loss, grief, loneliness, physical and emotional problems. Stress is not anyone's friend.
I have a friend struggling everyday with Cancer, some are fighting with MS, another is battling her issues with the loss of independence due to MD.
My father just had bypass surgery. It was fairly successful and he is on the road to recovery.
I am very fortunate and have gotten through some very stressful times lately with the love, help and support of my friends and God.
Until Next time
Dreaming about walking with a candy cane is silly but when it rained the red stripes washed off in a puddle around my feet and then I understood.
A couple of days later I received a call from John. John is my orientation and mobility instructor. His job is to teach me how to stay mobile with my vision loss and how to make the most of my useful vision. His gift to me was a white cane with a rolling marshmallow tip.
The truth is that I looked at that cane as an Albatross around my neck. Afterall, I have gotten by without it forever.
John is a patient, encouraging man. He walked with me in the dark with a white cane to work and back. Low lighting, cracks in the sidewalk, bad sidewalks, curbs and traffic have not always been my friend. John did keep me from slamming into a street sign that was face level.
My cane has a rolling tip so it glides easily along until I hit something.
Forcing myself to practice with it before my next class will be hard but I will get around to it.
Speaking about hard things...this is a very hard time of year for many people. Please pull out some extra compassion, kindness and patience for others.
I know people who are struggling with loss, grief, loneliness, physical and emotional problems. Stress is not anyone's friend.
I have a friend struggling everyday with Cancer, some are fighting with MS, another is battling her issues with the loss of independence due to MD.
My father just had bypass surgery. It was fairly successful and he is on the road to recovery.
I am very fortunate and have gotten through some very stressful times lately with the love, help and support of my friends and God.
Until Next time
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