Watch out, cane about!

Guide Dogs have launched their "Watch out, cane about" campaign with an informative and positive video. Everyday pedestrians are blind folded and attempt to cross a road with a cane and a guide. It is really interesting to see the reactions of others. The is also a guide on what to do if you see a person crossing the road with a cane. 

Great video to share with family and friends to help them better understand what it is like using a cane. 

Thanks Guide Dogs!

Finally a pen I can see!

When I had my consultation with the vision impairment specialist, he suggested I invest in a Pentel pen. Usually he gives a freebie to all his clients but unfortunately he had run out. He said I was able to get the pen from my local Officeworks (stationary shop) and they came in a range of colours.

To my great disappointment, my local Officeworks didn't stock the particular pen, and I had to order them online in a box of 25 all black. So of course I procrastinated because 25 black pens was not appealing to me.

Today turned out to be my lucky day. My friend and I ventured to Officeworks to discover a huge new wall full of pens. Of course we had to try every one out and we found the Pentel I was looking for!

The Pentel's I bought are the S520 Sign Pen (0.8mm). They look like a marker but they write like a pen except in a more bold ink, making it easier to read. It also doesn't seep through the page unlike standard markers. The pens cost me $2.71 each (I bought 7!). 

Definitely worth a try! I highly recommend. 

IOS 7 and VIPs

Today I updated to IOS 7 on my iPad (I use a Samsung mobile). I'm not actually sure if previous versions have as many accessibility features, but I found the most useful feature for my vision was the "Larger type" text feature. It gives you the option to increase the font size in any app that has enabled the feature. Of course I made it almost to the largest and then I tested out all my favourite apps. 

The standard email app is now awesome. The font is enlarged in the content and title of the email and it makes it really easy to use and puts less strain on my eyes. 

The other app I barely used previously was the standard calendar. I found I could never read at a glance what appointments I had so I never used it. The design has changed and it is visually appealing plus the appointments are larger so I can actually see what I am supposed to be doing!

Other apps I use that I've found to be easier to see are: Music, eBay, Maps and Podcasts. I'm assuming the update would also be useful for iPhones, but I found the biggest problem I had with the iPhone was the size of the screen in comparison to the text sizes, which is why I switched to the Samsung.

IOS 7 is definitely worth an update.

For the girls (and guys?!)

Something I have been battling for a while is grooming. It's ever so hard to do the usual girly grooming that when you are sighted you take for granted. It seems like a petty issue but it can have a whole lot of impacts especially with self esteem.

My biggest problem now is I can't tell when it's time to visit the beautician. It gets to the point where one of my younger brothers will say "geez you need a wax" and it's off to the beautician I go. There's no chance I can do it myself any more as I can't see the little hairs. It then gets me thinking what have I been looking like every day?! Most people don't like pointing out things like this so I now rely on my family to give me the heads up. 

Another important issue is putting on make-up. I've had people ask me how do I put on eye liner if I can't see? Well I end up poking myself in the eye and usually I end up with the "smoky" look when I wasn't going for that at all. Luckily years of experience have meant I can put make-up on without looking to a degree, and then I hope someone tells me if I've made a mess of my face before I walk out the door.

For instance, I went to work and for a few hours I went on my merry way until a friend asked me if I had grey hairs. Grey hair I'm only 26!!! It turned out I had foundation in my hair and she fixed it for me. But in the 2 hours before that no one mentioned anything! 

I guess now I need to rely on others more often even though I am very resistant to doing so. I'm also lucky I live with other people so I can always ask if I'm looking terrible (and hope they give me an honest answer). 

So if you see me and I have make up all over my face, please tell me because I guarantee you I can't see it!

DNA tells all

I recently got preliminary results from my genetic testing (that I did almost two years ago now!). They showed that I do have the mutation in the ABCA4 gene and it is the recessive condition. I need to have further testing to determine whether I have two recessive genes (from each of my parents) or one recessive and a gap (only one parent has the recessive gene). We can then go on to test my parents and my siblings if they choose to.

I must admit it is quite confronting getting the results. Even though the condition is 99% diagnosed from other methods such as EPS and deterioration can be seen in the macula, there's still always that small doubt or hope that I have been wrongly diagnosed and have another condition with a treatment. It is such a tiny hope but I found myself holding onto it in the back of my mind. 

Finally being told that yes, your genes definitely show this condition, I got slightly emotional, even though I've known I have SD for a few years now.

In my true style, I had a small sook, sneaked some cuddles from my work colleagues, and turned the positive me back on to think of more ways I can help myself reach my goals, and most of all inspire others. 

New gadgets!

Today I had my second work place assessment to see if I need any more help since my vision has deteriorated. Once again I applied through Job Access, an Australian government reimbursement program. Originally I received my ZoomText software, a large screen and a hand held magnifier.

This time round I didn't really know what exactly I wanted or needed and really just wanted to see what technology was available that would help me. I learnt all about "eye fatigue" and ways to minimise this. Since my job is predominantly computer based, it is important to ensure I sit correctly, which is something I never considered. Usually I sit cross legged on my chair, swing around and use thousands of fluoro post-its. Luckily I am hopefully receiving a foot rest to stop me from sitting like a yogi and an arm for my screen which will help on the days where I am a little more tired and can bring it closer to my face without straining my neck.

I was also shown an array of magnifiers, from hand held to huge star trek looking things and I have been recommended for a few different magnifiers to help with reading long documents. 

I must admit at first the experience was slightly confronting, especially since it is in the work place and sometimes I do worry what people will think, but usually once I show them all the cool gadgets and software they get jealous. It's also hard to accept that I need more help to do my everyday activities and sometimes it takes more effort but the quicker I get over that feeling the better. It's a fact of my life and it's fine. I still manage to work well (I'm quite an exceptional worker if I don't mind saying myself). I am still reluctant to try more speech based applications but I am a very visual person so I am trying to find ways to maintain this.

It was a great shopping experience! Once my application is approved and I purchase my new toys I will share more!

For those that haven't contacted Job Access yet here is the link. It's a great scheme and is not only for vision impairment but any disability. 

Job Access Australia

Study study and more study

Whoever said you can't complete university degrees and be vision impaired? Or legally blind? Yes you definitely can. 

My unfortunate absence is due to the fact I am studying two degrees at present, a masters and also psychology, and have been swamped in uni work. It has been a constant battle working and studying whilst being vision impaired but I am one determined cookie. 

I has been quite a challenge finding ways to read my textbooks, do assignments and keep up to speed with all the work. Once I found the tools to help me study I got into a rhythm and it wasn't so hard. I had to get my textbooks in PDF format and load it onto my iPad so I could read them, and the uni would send me any document in a larger font.

I also completed my first exams being vision impaired, as I was diagnosed at the end of my last degree, so I was unsure of how I would cope and even what adaptations I would need. I was given extra time but I'm happy to say I finished way before the allocated time (such a nerd). The only problem I had was colouring in the little circles on the multiple choice answer sheet and had to get someone to do it for me. 

It has been a really rewarding experience and I must say oh so satisfying to have completed four subjects whilst working. 

If you have ever had a dream or a goal to study and have a certain profession, GO FOR IT. There is always a way. 

Stay determined!!