[Blind-rollers] How do You Cook?

Sun Feb 5 03:42:05 UTC 2017

Hi, Danielle,

I am so, so sorry to hear of your troubles, especially the emotional trials
of how your mom views you and has always viewed you!  Your mom, and I don't
wish being wheelchair bound and blindness on anyone, but your mom very well
may find herself in a wheelchair; what then?  What happens if the shoe is on
the other foot... or on her foot!  I lost my sight at 17 but adapted and was
very independent.  With my Seeing Eye dogs, I was able to be as independent
as anyone sighted with the exception of being able to drive.  I worked,
cooked, cleaned, baked... you name it, I did it.  Now, because of my
diabetes, not only am I blind but have had both legs amputated, am
wheelchair bound and on dialysis.  Quick question--do you have any work
skills?  What type of work are you looking for?

Now I don't share that for sympathy; God has given me an awesome support
system.  Between God, my husband who is my gift from God, my mom and dad
(who are both 80 and, praise God, are healthy), my church family and
friends, I manage.  

As far as personal things, I can only take a shower a couple times a week,
which is fine because I don't do anything to get dirty like sweat.  In
between, I use these things I got from Amazon.com which are disposable wash
cloths.  They are sort of like a baby wipe but much thicker so they don't
dry out.  I've found that even having done my entire body, they are still
wet.  I also have gotten a shampoo or they come in a cap too, that you soak
your hair with it (as if you're washing your hair), towel dry your hair,
style it, and your hair is as if you've washed it and conditioned it like
normal.  Now I'm not certain what you mean about "cleaning up after others"
or something like that you said, and I don't know if I've been any help at
all; but as far as cooking, I think a microwave is the best route.

Do you belong to a church or something that you could ask those people to
help you out?  When I was on dialysis in the beginning in 2002, and before I
was wheelchair bound, people from my church (whom I was so thankful for)
volunteered and took me three days a week.  Then lifting my chair in and out
of the car became too much because it's about 40 pounds.  As well my mom and
dad would take me to doctors' appointments too, but they have SUVs; and it
got to the point they couldn't lift my chair.  

Unfortunately, there is so much I can't do now, and I truly miss
them--cooking, cleaning, being independent with my Seeing Eye dogs,
showering by myself, going to the bathroom myself, getting up and down off
the couch or my rocking chair.  I cannot even stay in bed when I'm sick
unless my husband stays home from work with me.  That is only since May when
I had my second amputation.  Before then, I could at least use my one leg to
help me in and out of the bed; I could even go to the bathroom myself.  Now,
I'm too afraid to use my transfer board for fear that I'm going to lose my
balance and fall backwards or forwards! 

The Bible says, "Your life is like a vapor," meaning it's short. On the
other hand, the Bible promises us, if a man (or woman) is born again, he
(she) will see the Kingdom of heaven.  I'm not a Jehovah's Witness, and
"born again" is not a religion.  This is found in the book of John, chapter
3, verse 3.

I'm not here to preach a sermon, but I want you to know, I've been able to
deal with every one of my trials by trusting the will of God.  And yes, my
life has been very difficult; but because I've trusted Jesus as my personal
savior, He has walked through every single one of these things with me and
given me the strength to walk with Him and not give up.  So this, my friend
is the only way to get into heaven.  Heaven is going to be so beautiful; and
God promises that He will wipe away every tear.  Also, He promises in
Heaven, there won't be any more death or pain.  We will get our sight back
and will be able to walk again and much, much more.  I can't wait to get
there... not that I'd do anything to speed things up because where is my
trust then? And in spite of all my trials, I am blessed and live a wonderful
(or abundant life) as Jesus promises us if we trust Him and walk with Him
daily.

I don't expect you even to take my word for it.  Please get yourself a Bible
and start reading it.  I want you to hear God's words straight from Him.
And should you need to ask someone about what you are reading, let me know
and we can exchange email addresses.  I don't mind at all.  If I can't give
you an answer, I'll get you an answer.  That goes for anyone else on the
list.
Leanne

Message-----
From: Blind-Rollers [mailto:blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Danielle Ledet via Blind-Rollers
Sent: Saturday, February 04, 2017 5:16 PM
To: Blind wheelchair users list <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Danielle Ledet <singingmywayin at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] How do You Cook?

I do not know what kind of shelters in this town they have. It's gonna
be an option though If things continue this way. I found some
resources and so far getting a ride has proven near fruitless so I'll
be on my own to travel to and from them; though, I think I can qualify
for medical transportation which will at least aleeviate some of my
burden once in a while. I can't go anymore. I have reached down as
much as I can and I have been at the end of my patience and
compassion. I do not understand why those who can do more and afford
more, want/need to do what I'm doing and pay what I'm able to pay. SO,
it looks like I am doing less, which is true I don't have the stamina
to constantly clean after everybody here nor do I have the funds to
move around town as frequently as they can, and I can't contribute
financially like they can. So I only get $20 in Food Stamps, and my
brother and Mama are of the opinion that I should buy packs of meat to
contribute, or do not eat what they buy. Well, family packs of meat
cost $8-$10 each. So I buy it, eat one time and feed everybody else,
then what am I supposed to have the rest of the month? That's the kind
of insanity I deal with daily! Apparently, last month I got mail from
Social Security at my momma's other house and somebody marked Return
to Sender on the letter and it went back. So now I still await my SSI
check for this month. Granted, my Mama does not work by choice, her
husband does, and my brother just got a job, his girlfriend does, but
they are able. How can a person at a disadvantage give what they do
not have and can not get?
Yes I have Medicaid/Medicare, just need to figure out how to access
these services. When I ask the people in here who should know about
the services and common places in this town, especially since they
drive, they act just as helpless as me and give vague nonanswers.

Thanks Jen. Yes there are complexes like this next town over; well,
about half hour away. Pretty much none of their apps are online,
though. Maureen, I think that would be a good investment, planning to
get a microwave, and I already have a crockpot. I see no need to stay
here and be tortured! Thanks everyone! Changes are gonna be made, they
must! albeit slowly because my check is eaten thru fast.

My apologies for this long post, and thanks for letting me vent.

On 2/4/17, Maureen Pranghofer via Blind-Rollers
<blind-rollers at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hello
> I was so sad to learn that your condition is getting worse.  Cooking from
a
>
> chair depends mostly on the access of your kitchen.  WHen I became a chair
> user I virtually stopped cooking because neither the stove or sink was
> accessible.  I had my PCA's do it and you may have to look at getting a
> personal care attendant. If however, you have a counter you can wheel
under
>
> by using an electric frying pan it is very possible to cook.
> Maureen
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Danielle Ledet via Blind-Rollers
> Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2017 9:36 PM
> To: blind-Rollers at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Danielle Ledet
> Subject: [Blind-rollers] How do You Cook?
>
> Hello Rollers,
>
> It is apparent to me lately; experiencing numbness in my hands and
> feet, nearly sliding out of chairs when getting up, experiencing
> stiffness in my steps orsomething like that, and feeling like my
> muscles are sending off steam when I am walking, that I will probably
> be sitting down for good at most, if not, all times. Problem is, this
> place is not anywhere equipped for that and I am being literally,
> booted out the door with nowhere to go. My Mama has already repeatedly
> said she can't/would never deal with a handicapped person; meaning
> someone wheelchair-bound that she will have to help. She has always
> said this, and I wasn't considered handicapped, to her, because she
> could show me how to do things, and then set it and forget it!
> However, I have mbarked on collecting recipes again so I can start
> cooking for myself, I guess sooner,somehow, rather than later. So, my
> question is how do you all cook from a wheelchair? And, how do you
> manage in a home that is not wheelchair accessible with this and other
> tasks of daily self-care. I am worried especially about self-care.
> This a split-level home and I am, forcibly being removed, and I could
> not even prepare, so I know they won't welcome mobility transportation
> and the need to help out with that, nor will anything be rearranged.
> They think that a disability check should suffice, and should meet all
> my monthly needs and it DOES NOT! I am looking for work, and looking
> for options to relocate and supplement my Food Stamp allotment wich is
> inadequate as well. She would not vouch for me and say I pay her rent,
> and others applied with this address and got it first. I don't know
> why they just didn't consider my SSI status, as they should have, and
> awarded me the full amount for a single person, though. I have no
> reason really to laugh and smile right now! Hope to hear from you!
>
> --
> How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young,
> compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and
> tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will
> have been all of these.
> George Washington Carver
> Email: singingmywayin at gmail.com
>
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-- 
How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young,
compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and
tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will
have been all of these.
George Washington Carver
Email: singingmywayin at gmail.com

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