First of all I want to apologize for not writing a post last week! I was attempting to write every Friday for this year. I remembered on Saturday night that I had not made a post and then forgot to do it anyways! So this post is for this and last week!
So independence. I think everyone takes their individual independence for granted. I know I did. I did everything I possibly could on my own and to the best of my ability. Since being diagnosed legally blind a year ago on February 4th I gave up my driver's license and learn how to use a cane. (Although I don't use the cane as much as I should). I have been using assistive technology such as a vibrating alarm clock (not as fun as it sounds!), a abnormally loud doorbell, a sensor in my youngest daughter's room that sets off my vibrating clock to wake me up, and trying to learn braille. These are all tools that will help make me more independent, but life would be so much easier if I didn't have to use them, and especially if I didn't have this disability.
I have had to teach my children how to guide me and how to help me when I need them. They are amazing and I could not be more proud of my little girls! I am hoping that by living through the difficulties that they have seen me go through that they grow into compassionate young women who can make a difference!
Although blindness and deafness have been around since the dawn of time technology has only been advancing significantly for these two disabilities in the last twenty years. I am always hearing about new technology and cannot wait until they become available to everyone. Did you hear about the technology Ford has been attempting to allow blind people to drive cars? They had a blind man test drive a car around Daytona International Speedway a few weeks ago to show the world that they are getting closer and closer. I, for one, would love to have that kind of independence again! So, I guess what I am trying to say is live life to its fullest but be careful because you never know if you could possibly lose a little piece of independence.
Hello Trista, it is hard when one has usher syndrome but when things get tough we have to keep trying and if necessary find other ways of doing familiar things.There is a lot of research going on in the world to-day and you never know but there may be a cure one day. I was beginning to rely more on other people and that is why I decided to apply for a guide dog.
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