[Nfb-krafters-korner] Monitoring someone with low vision

Sat Nov 12 13:18:10 UTC 2011

Hi Barb and All,

It always amazes me how different our experiences with RP is while being the
same.  Yes, the toothpaste is one of those turning points.  I resorted to
squeezing the paste on my finger until I could come to terms with squirting
it right into my mouth.

For some people, learning to do their favorite craft or hobby without
looking is what helps them to make that transition in other parts of their
life.  For others, they have to tackle that hurdle in some other part of
their life before they can do it with their crafting.  Go ahead and offer
suggestions on how to do things through touch and if they are not ready to
try that, let it go.  When they are ready they will recall your words and be
ready to give it a try.

Don't bombard them with alternative ways to do things.  Listen to their
questions and provide answers to those specific questions.  If they are
asking, then that is what they are ready to tackle.  Sometimes you might
need to give a little push, but be ready to back off if needed.

Annette

-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Barb Roland
Sent: Friday, November 11, 2011 10:45 PM
To: List for blind crafters and artists
Subject: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Monitoring someone with low vision

Denise, I can relate to the two ladies who are losing vision. I myself am
slowly losing vision and have been doing so for the past 26 years. Sometimes
I wish it would just happen and get it over with. With RP (retinitis
pigmentosa) the vision loss is a slow process, we lose some, get adjusted
then lose more and have to readjust again and again, it can be very
frustrating and triing. When one is so use doing things one way, such as
using their vision, it takes time to adjust to relearn how to do it
differently. I feel for these ladies and understand how they are feeling
right now, they will need time to adjust and relaearn how to do things.
How to encourage them? Thats a hard one because everyone is different, first
they will need to come to terms with their declining vision, then they will
need to learn how to do things differently. They will need to start out
small and build on their confidences with positive things. In trying to
remember some of the changes I had to make as time went by was having to
relearn how about  brushing my teeth, with vision, one is taught to put the
toothpaste on the toothbrush, as my vision got worst, I switched to a
colored toothpaste so I would have the contrast between the brush and the
paste, then my vision got worst and I had to figure a different way, someone
suggested just swirting the paste into my mouth, this went against
everything I had learned, but now it's second nature to me.
They will need to start off small and simple, finding new ways of doing
things. When I started crafting, first I had to find something that would
not require me to use what sight I have left, but this was hard to do as I
was still trying to use my vison, so having contrast was the way for me to
get started, as I lost more vision and the contrast thingy was not working
so well, I started learning to use my hands. I still try to use what vision
I have left, but the more I craft (loom knit) the less I'm using my vision
and just using my hands/fingers.
Let them use what vision they have but encourage them to also use their
hands to get use to how things feel, then encourage them to close their eyes
and feel things.
Hope this helps some.
Barb R.
Z6

'Just living is not enough,' said the butterfly, 'one must have sunshine,
freedom and a little flower.' ~ Hans Christian Anderson
----- Original Message -----
From: "Denise Shaible" <denise.shaible at att.net>
To: "List for blind crafters and artists" <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, November 11, 2011 6:07 PM
Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Hi from a new member.

> Hi Pipi,
>
> Welcome.  I'm Denise Shaible and I live in California.  Hi to any 
> other new members.  this list is growing so fast and it's great to 
> meet all of you.  I hope you take some classes so we can get to know 
> each other by voice and not just by list.  Pipi, I know you'll get 
> lots of information about crocheting from the many folks on this list who
do it.
>
> By the way, let me take this opportunity to ask a question of some of 
> you who knit or crochet and who are totally blind.  I have light 
> perception and do all of my knitting by using my hands.  I guess 
> others out there can identify with this.  Can any of you give me  
> suggestions about how to mentor someone who has a little vision left 
> and doesn't believe she can just use her hands?  I met two people at 
> the Braille Institute last Tuesday who are losing their vision and 
> don't believe they can just use their hands.  I think I put my foot in 
> my mouth with one of them when she said she had to use her vision to 
> see the congtrast between her yarn and needles.  I had spent half an 
> hour listening to this type of talk and I guess I just couldn't pass 
> up the opportunity to say that she didn't need her vision. Maybe there's a
better way.
>
> Our teacher has low vision and she does a great job with knitting and 
> crocheting.  In fact, she gave me the idea to want to crochet.  I had 
> the same experience as Pipi in that someone sighted tried to teach me.  
> I remember the chain stitch so, maybe my teacher will be able to teach me.
> I don't know.  I'm sure lots of you have opinions on this topic.  I 
> look forward to hearing from you.  Again, welcome, Pipi and all of our 
> other new members.
>
> Regards,
>
> Denise
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Pipi
> Sent: Thursday, November 10, 2011 8:58 PM
> To: List for blind crafters and artists
> Subject: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Hi from a new member.
>
> Hey y'all,
> I joined the list a couple of days ago and thought I should introduce 
> myself.
> I'm Pipi, from Kansas. I wanted to join the list because I've always 
> wanted to learn how to crochet. I attempted to have my mom teach me 
> years ago, but it didn't work for us. She didn't know how to teach a 
> blind person and I didn't have enough vision to see what she was 
> talking about.
> As far as crafts go, I have made several throw blankets and have been 
> working on my own queen sized quilt for years. I don't know if I'm 
> actually making an actual quilt because I don't know the proper way to 
> do so, but I decided that I wanted to make myself one for my bed and 
> went from there.
> I also do a bit of scrapbooking, mainly for my daughter's keepsakes 
> and record of her life.
> How do I go about learning to crochet? I've noticed some classes that 
> have happened and that will be happening in the future. Can someone 
> give me a bit more information as to what these are about?
> Thanks for reading if you made it this far.
> Pipi
>
>
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