[nabs-l] ideas on how to accomplish daily living skills

[Kelsey Nicolay]

Hello,
This may seem a little off topic for this list, but I would like 
to know your thoughts.  I like to wear nail polish, but I have 
been told by my chosen beauty salon that there is no way someone 
who is to otally blind can apply their own nail polish.  I get 
manicures a lot, so I asked the person who does my nails whether 
she thinks I could apply my own polish.  She pretty much said no.  
I kind of think she's wrong, there has to be some way to do it.  
What do you think? Can someone who is totally blind apply their 
own nail polish and if so, how would you go about doing it? 
Removing it can be done since you can feel the difference in 
texture from the polish to the actual nail.  What about applying 
makeup independently? I am in a choir that we have to get dressed 
up for the concert which means wearing makeup.  My mom still does 
it for me, but at some point, I'd like to be able to do my own 
makeup.  I have a friend who is blind and she has been doing her 
own makeup for years.  One of my friends from college was going 
to give me a makeup lesson, but we never got around to it.  
Finally, what about using nail cleappers? My dad cuts my nails 
for me but he feels a little insecuoe about letting me handle the 
clippers alone.  I know an nfb article covered this, but it 
didn't really help.  I would be interested to hear your opinions 
on how to accomplish these tasks.
Thanks,