[Blindtlk] Good techniques?

S L Johnson SLJohnson25 at comcast.net
Wed Dec 9 23:25:21 UTC 2015 

Hey, never be afraid to ask a question.  After all, how else will you find 
an answer.  I've been totally blind for years and I am always trying to 
figure out new easier ways of doing things.  My best advice is leave the 
butter out to soften or pop it into the microwave just a couple of seconds 
to soften it, not melt it to liquid.  It is impossible for anyone, blind or 
sighted, to spread cold butter.  For peanut butter and jelly, I dip it out 
with a spoon and turn the spoon over and spread with it.  for other toppings 
I give the bottle a squeeze but it is sometimes hard to tell how much comes 
out.  I use a knife to feel and see how much is on and then spread it out. 
Finally, when you are by yourself, remember God invented fingers before 
there were knives, forks and spoons.  No, really, it doesn't hurt to give a 
quick touch with the edge of your finger to be sure your knife tip is still 
on the edge of the bread or roll rather than on the counter.  When with 
family and friends, ask for help if that makes you feel better.  If you do 
it yourself and they don't like it, then that is their problem not yours. 
Happy eating and enjoy!

Sandra

-----Original Message----- 
From: Jim Portillo via blindtlk
Sent: Tuesday, December 08, 2015 8:35 PM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Cc: Jim Portillo
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Good techniques?

I'm with you, Arielle.  As long as I've been blind, I still have some 
discomfort doing some things in front of some sighted friends.  They 
question why I do things a certain way or I sometimes feel I'm slower at a 
few things than they are.

And Tom, I can honestly say that these are great questions and advice that I 
will also take and practice.  I'm a lousy spreader at times.  Just don't do 
what I used to do and go without because it's easier and less embarrassing. 
I did that for a long time.  Nothing like having a dry piece of toast or a 
dry sandwich, no matter how much you convince yourself it's OK and less 
convenient.
And, take the bull by the horns when you're more confident and initiate 
things before your family and friends have the chance to stop or intervene.

Jim


Sent from my iPhone 6!

> On Dec 8, 2015, at 4:33 PM, Arielle Silverman via blindtlk 
> <blindtlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> I can definitely relate to the discomfort in practicing new things in
> front of sighted people. I would suggest practicing by yourself at
> home until you get more confident. Then, you can start grabbing the
> fixings and spreading before the sighted people have a chance to
> offer. If there are one or two people you trust who don't judge you,
> and who have the patience to let you try things on your own, you could
> also talk to them ahead of time about your interest in taking on these
> tasks independently and getting practice. Then those people can stick
> up for you with the larger group.
> Arielle
>
>> On 12/8/15, Ericka via blindtlk <blindtlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> Great Advice Julie!
>>
>> Ericka Short
>> "Friends are like flowers in the garden of life"
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>>> On Dec 8, 2015, at 5:48 AM, Julie J. via blindtlk <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> Yes, different knives for different spreads.
>>>
>>> If there is a long history of people helping you, remember that it's
>>> something new for them as much as it is for you.  Be gentle with them as
>>> you make this transition.  So saying something like, "I want to try this
>>> myself first, but thanks for offering your help."  or "I appreciate the
>>> offer, but I'm practicing some new things I'm learning." will assert 
>>> your
>>> independence while not making them feel unappreciated.
>>>
>>> I used to feel super self conscious when trying out new things in front 
>>> of
>>> others.  It does get less stressful the more you do it.  I'd also 
>>> suggest
>>> going at it with the attitude of experimenting or a "let's see what
>>> happens" mindset.  The attitude of curiosity and openness goes a crazy
>>> long way in making the stress go down and confidence go up.  Mistakes 
>>> will
>>> happen, but if it's an experiment, then you've just learned what doesn't
>>> work.  Next time you can try something a little differently.
>>>
>>> Please let us know how it goes!  With the holidays there will be loads 
>>> of
>>> opportunities to try out some new things, I'm sure!
>>> Julie
>>> Courage to Dare: A Blind Woman's Quest to Train her Own Guide Dog is now
>>> available! Get the book here:
>>> http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QXZSMOC
>>> -----Original Message----- From: Tom via blindtlk
>>> Sent: Tuesday, December 08, 2015 1:34 AM
>>> To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
>>> Cc: Tom
>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Good techniques?
>>>
>>> I'll certain begin to try this suggestion.  I'm going to have to find
>>> ways
>>> of practicing.  I simply wish I wasn't always watched because that's 
>>> when
>>> my
>>> sighted family and friends ask about why I sometimes do things the way I
>>> do.
>>>
>>> Oh, do you use different knives for different spreads if you're in a
>>> group?
>>>
>>> And finally, when I'm in a group of people, should I be telling them I
>>> don't
>>> want their help any more?
>>> Tom
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Hyde,
>>> David
>>> W. (ESC) via blindtlk
>>> Sent: Monday, December 07, 2015 8:51 AM
>>> To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
>>> Cc: Hyde, David W. (ESC)
>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Good techniques?
>>>
>>> First, you are not unique. There are several solutions. With some 
>>> things,
>>> like ham salad or egg salad, it is easier to use a spoon to put it on to
>>> the
>>> bread. Then use a knife or the back of the spoon to spread it. Start in
>>> the
>>> middle, and spread toward the corners. With butter, slice off a piece or
>>> get
>>> a glob on the knife. Use your hands to see how much you have. Again,
>>> start
>>> in the middle and work toward the corners. With mustard or mayo, take 
>>> the
>>> knife down to the bottom of the jar. Depending upon how much is left in
>>> the
>>> jar, you may or may not get enough. Start in the middle again. If you 
>>> are
>>> using the portion control packets, open it and squeeze it over the
>>> middle.
>>> Then use a knife to distribute it.
>>> Finally, if you make a mess, and everyone does once in a while, clean it
>>> up.
>>> If you do it well, you'll be the only one who knows.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tom
>>> Cramer
>>> via blindtlk
>>> Sent: Monday, December 07, 2015 10:37 AM
>>> To: Advice and support for blind cooks; NFBnet Blind Talk Mailing List
>>> Cc: Tom Cramer
>>> Subject: [Blindtlk] Good techniques?
>>>
>>> Hello,
>>>
>>> I think this question will be way too basic for everyone but I hope to
>>> get
>>> some good techniques other than just being told to not be afraid to ask
>>> sighted company to help me.  I think this is an important skill,
>>> especially
>>> now that I'm trying to be more independent and do more for myself.
>>>
>>> I found I am not good at something very basic, like spreading.  I'm
>>> talking
>>> about things like putting any kind of spread on bread or multiple 
>>> spreads
>>> on
>>> sandwiches. I never really thought of it because I'm generally always
>>> with
>>> family or friends and they always did it.
>>> But when I was by myself, or when everyone just kind of did their own
>>> thing
>>> and simply told me that the sandwich fixings were on the counter, I
>>> realized
>>> how deficient I was in this skill.
>>> I asked other blind people and they just said that they weren't afraid 
>>> to
>>> use their fingers to spread or that I could simply ask someone to do it.
>>>
>>> So, specific questions.
>>> First, I use a knife but don't seem to get much stuff on it.  Any good
>>> techniques to tell how much is on the knife or how much more to get?
>>> Second, what about the actual spreading technique?  I find mine to be
>>> uneven
>>> and yet I thought I covered the bread.
>>> Finally, what do you do if you're doing a sandwich and want more than
>>> just
>>> one thing like mayo and mustard and squeeze bottles aren't available?
>>>
>>> I know my family is happy to help me, and my friends haven't said
>>> anything
>>> yet, but do I really want my friends doing something like buttering 
>>> bread
>>> or
>>> making my sandwiches for me?
>>>
>>> Thanks for entertaining these very basic questions.
>>> Tom
>>>
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