Great things about being blind. Getting my signature.

Someone asked about how to show a blind person where to sign a document. For someone who is totally blind like me, a very good way is to put something just below the line. Like a a credit card. That way I can feel where the signature line is. I often carry signature guides with a hole in the middle. You can then place the card on the paper with the line in the hole. Makes life a lot easier and you don't have to worry about me signing in the wrong place. Tomorrow, how I learned to sign my name.

Great things about being blind. showing me to a chair.

This sounds simple. Some people make it more difficult than it needs to be. You are showing me to a chair in a room. do not lift me into it. Yes, this has happened. Do not place me in front of it and push down on my shoulders to get me to sit down. Yes this has also happened. Explain where the chair is in relation to me. My guide dog may find it if I ask her to do so. but, if you are guiding me to a chair, place my hand on its back or arm. Then I can deal with it. Pull it out, examine it to see the best way for me to get into it. Thank you for reading and for being so wonderful with comments.

Great things about being blind. The food on my plate.

Eating can be an adventure. What is in front of me? I know what I ordered so maybe the piece of chicken I need to cut is in front of me. Or maybe mashed potatoes. Or maybe the roll. I've speared little cups filled with cranberry sauce and brought them confidently towards my mouth. I've stabbed a piece of bread on a fork. But, mostly I just proceed with caution feeling with my fork around the plate to tell by texture what is there. But, if you help me at a buffet (another post topic) or if you put food on my plate telling me where it is is most helpful. People use the old clock face method. Your meat is at 12, your vegetables at 3, your potatoes at 6 etc. When mentioning this to a group of kids once a little boy was horrified and said, "You mean you eat your meat at 12 and can't eat your vegetables until 3?" I'm sure he imagined me sitting at a table all day long. I'm hungry now. Breakfast time I think?

Great things about being blind. Food on my plate.

People seem to be enjoying these posts and have lots of questions. Many revolving around food and drink. Let's tackle drink first.
Can a blind person make tea and coffee and carry hot liquids? Yes. If done carefully I can. To make tea, I have a complex system of funnels. I pour cold water into my teapot. Then, I put a funnel in my kettle to pour the water from the tea pot into the kettle. this means I know how much is in the kettle so can't hurt myself when pouring it into the tea pot again. Next, I boil the water. I have a different funnel that I put over my teapot while I pour the boiling water in. Maybe too complex but it works for me. I also have something called liquid leveler which beeps when water touches it when it is placed over the edge of your cup. I don't use it much though. I listen to the sound of the liquid filling my cup. It sounds different as it gets to the top. I do touch it briefly with the very tip of my finger too and don't burn myself doing that. Tomorrow on to more drinks and food. Now, I need a cup of tea.

Great things about being blind. Moving my stuff.

We are in a room together.
I have placed my bag, coat, etc on a chair or table.  Say we are in a meeting or workshop.
Maybe you have to rearrange the room.  Put tables up or take them down.  You move my bag.  Place it somewhere else.
Perhaps we all go for lunch.  I am alone in the room looking for my jacket and bag.
A blind person needs to remember where they put their things in a room.
My coat is on the chair nearest the door.  My bag is on a chair with arms in front of a round table.
And so, if you move them, I may search over every square inch of the room.  Literally,  for you, you can do this easily.  Scan the room with your eyes.
For me, I need to touch everything.
Now, my guide dogs have been and are pretty good at finding our stuff.  There are often kibbles in my bag or a water bowl which helps.
But please, if you need to move my stuff, can you tell me where you moved it to?  Thank you.

Great things about being blind, Entering and leaving a room.

So, you enter a room where I am.  Unless it is very quiet and I heard you open the door or walk in, I might not know that you came in, who you are, where you are in the room.  So, when you enter a room and if you know I am there and am blind, say something.  You could just say something natural like hello.  If I know your voice, you don't need to say who you are.  I'll ask if I don't remember.  If we've never met, it would be helpful if you say who you are and if anyone is with you.  And, if you  have to leave our conversation to go somewhere else within a crowded room, could you tell me first?  I've had many conversations with walls, posts, or other objects when I thought someone was still standing there talking to me.