Tips for Adjusting to Legal Blindness

This was dictated to me by my dear husband -- his attitude and love of life are a good life lesson for all of us. Enjoy!

I have been legally blind for 20 years. As a former golf professional and professional baseball player, this was an extremely difficult adjustment. However, as the years have passed, I have learned ways to cope and make small adjustments. I can no longer read the paper or drive a car. But, I still play golf 4 or 5 times a week, walk my dog in the early mornings, dance with my wife when we have an opportunity for dancing. I enjoy oldies music, mostly rock and roll from the sixties.
First thing in the morning, I push the button on the coffee pot. My wife presets my coffee mug with a spoon, and the cream and sugar nearby. She prepares the coffee the night before. Then my dog and I go for our walk, usually before daylight. I wear a flashing light on my waist so that folks who are up and about early in the mornings can see me.
I settle at my desk to begin the days' work. I easily operate a push button telephone by touch even though I have never received any formal training. I make telephone calls for a local insurance company. I have done this also in the past for the Better Business Bureau, the Chamber of Commerce, a business forms company, and a telephone company. The most calls I have ever made in a day was 100! That was a busy day!
I watch (listen) to sports on television in the evenings. I find I can easily keep up with news and sports via the television, even though I am unable to see it clearly.

	Enter your search terms Submit search form
	Web musingsfromjoan.blogspot.com

Talking Microwave Oven

I am thrilled to discover a talking microwave oven! what a super help this will be.

My husband has been unable to use the microwave since we remodeled the kitchen, and the old one with the dial was just worn out! Hamilton Beach presented their new talking microwave and I am so glad they did!

This will make a super Christmas present for him!

The Necessity of Low Vision Aids

Low Vision Aids - sometimes a necessity, often a convenience. Either way, I recommend that you try some of the wide range of products available.

I simply cannot imagine our lives without talking watches! A talking watch in this house is a necessity, for sure.

If you click on this highlighted link, you can quickly see 5 or 6 of the most popular aids for the blind.

I write often on a site called Squidoo -- it's easy for me to share products and information for the blind on Squidoo - I write lenses about my husband and his adjustment to this frightening diagnosis.

When you visit any of my lenses - Squidoo's word for small web pages, you will find what I hope is helpful information. I write from personal experience, and I hope you will visit often. I have a series of "lenses" on this subject.

We purchase low vision products from Independent Living Aids. We have found them to be helpful and their product range is complete. They even have products for the hearing impaired. Their customer service is excellent, too!

Talking Alarm Clock

Around our house it seems everything talks -- especially clocks and watches! But, I am thankful! All that super equipment helps my legally blind husband adjust and stay on track with the rest of the world.

I recently made a Squidoo lens about the talking alarm clocks and I would like for you to see it! Just click on the title to this article or on the highlighted word "clocks" in the paragraph above.

As always, if you are seeking items to help your legally blind friend or relative, I hope you will tell me. I constantly research vision aids, and if you will leave your question in the comment section, here or on the Squidoo lens, I will be happy to do some searching for you.

"Watching" Television

Well, the new television cable boxes came in. A delightful young lady helped us set them up. But alas, the boxes have tiny little buttons that are extremely difficult for my legally blind husband to manage.

I have heard that a big button remote can be purchased. I am investigating that possibility and will let you know right here as soon as I find one that he can use. So stay tuned!

Legally Blind- What Does It Mean?

The most widely accepted definition of legally blind in the United States is vision of 20/200 or less in the best eye using glasses or other type of correction. Glasses have not been helpful to my husband, however, and his vision has continued to deteriorate over the past twenty years.

Thank goodness he has a great attitude! He cannot drive a car or read a book or the newspaper anymore, but we do continue to enjoy life! He uses 4x6 index cards to keep track of customers and friends and writes with 20-20 pens . His desk is filled with stacks of cards - golf buddies, Optimist Club Golf Tournament players, business contacts. I have seen him make as many as 100 telephone calls in a day. He uses a regular desk style touch-tone telephone.

Our children learned very important coping lessons from their dad. They were young when he was first diagnosed and they watched as gradually his vision decreased. He has not actually seen our daughter since she was 12 years old, but two years ago, he proudly walked her down the aisle when she married -- and they danced the Father-Daughter dance at the reception with skill and joy.

You are welcome to discover more about Whitey's sense of humor at Legally Blind Blunders, a Squidoo lens about his funniest experiences. You can also read about his golf experiences at Legally Blind Golfer.