September 3 – Taking a Tumble

Many people who have low vision can report a time when they took a tumble. In my case, I can recall several such occasions. This has not been because of my lack of balance but rather that I have missed seeing some obstacle right in front of me.

The most severe of these falls was a number of years ago now. Lyle and I were helping friends move some furniture. We were outside and I wasn’t using my cane. Instead, Lyle was moving the front end of a table while I came along holding the rear end. However, when Lyle turned a corner with the table, I kept going and landed in the culvert at the side of the path. That particular fall landed me initially in a wheelchair and then on crutches for several weeks.

Since then I have had a couple of falls on stairs – again not using my cane. That leads me to my most recent tumble. Would you believe in a badger hole! Lyle and I had been camping in a somewhat isolated rural area. We had stopped at a convenient bench to savour the view. Then, when it was time to leave, Lyle decided to walk closer to the lake while I made my way up the slope to the gravel road. I was doing well until my left foot plunged knee deep into the hole. I was fortunate in that the badger wasn’t currently using its den and also that I didn’t break any bones.

Interestingly, I had been using walking sticks, but unlike my cane, which I use in front of me to clear the path, my sticks were slanted out to the side. The only good thing was that as I fell backwards, the sticks did help to somewhat break my fall. I ended up head down on the slope and my first thought was that I was glad nobody was around to see my undignified tumble - except for Lyle that is. I needed his help to get vertical again.

As a person with low vision I know that I need to be extra careful when I am walking. Taking care doesn’t mean that I should stop outdoor activities but simply that I should take a bit more care than perhaps someone with full vision. I don’t want to break any bones and in future, I will definitely avoid badger holes.

 

 

 

August 23 - Summer Holidays

It’s summer and in between mowing grass, gardening and spring cleaning, Lyle and I have been taking little trips not too far from home. I feel very fortunate that Lyle likes to drive. When my sight first changed, I found it difficult to sit just as a passenger, but nowadays I kind of like the idea of sitting back and for Lyle to take the wheel.

We both like being outside in the summer months. This year the mosquitoes have been a bit of a problem. I really don’t like them but they seem to like me. The annoying part is that if I don’t feel them land on my skin, I certainly don’t see them until it’s too late.

This year, one of our little trips was to Fort Macleod, a small town in southern Alberta. In the early days it was a thriving post for the North West Mounted Police and today the site celebrates that history. We took a walking tour around the restored buildings of the fort and stayed on to watch a performance of the musical ride.

We began our tour viewing the buildings around the courtyard. There was a boardwalk that I found easy enough to navigate with my white cane. However, there were a few gaps in the boards and I imagine that navigating with a wheelchair would be too difficult. From there we proceeded to the air-conditioned museum section before exiting to the benches around the parade ground for the musical ride performance.

In spite of not being able to see the horses and riders, the show was quite entertaining. The maneuvers were accompanied by a description from a loud speaker system and I could hear the sound of the horses when they came close to the fence. After the ride, we were able to go to the stables and see the horses close up and to ask the young riders any questions we might have. That was the best part for me.

There is a picture with this post. I am standing beside one of the horses in the stable. The riders all wore red woolen uniforms replicating the original ones of the mounted police. It was exceptionally hot on the day we were there and I’m sure that the riders were only too pleased to discard their uniforms after the show. Each horse had a maple leaf brushed into the side of its rump. It was quite effective. If you go to Fort Macleod, be sure to stay for the musical ride performance and the visit afterwards at the stables.

 

Sue with horse

 

August 14 - A Full Fridge

A feel a little guilty when I write about my refrigerator being full while there are many people who struggle to put food on the table. Let me assure you that I am grateful Lyle and I don’t need to be concerned about buying food. Instead, my frustration is the organization of the items in the fridge - items that have not been placed there by me.

Ordinarily I would be able to tell you where everything in my fridge is located - margarine, eggs and cheese on the top shelf, milk to the right on the next shelf with juice to the left, casseroles and leftovers next shelf down - well, you get the picture. However, over the past ten days have had family either staying with us or at least eating meals with us. They have been very generous contributing to and sharing the cost of groceries. They also stacked the items they brought in the fridge, on the kitchen counters, and in the cupboards. While I loved the company, finding items or even identifying them was a major source of frustration for me.

It is so much easier for those of us with low vision or no vision when everything stays in the usual place. This goes for food in the fridge, clothes and shoes in the closet, and the furniture in the living room.

Our company has gone home now and I miss the noise and even the chaos. Our house is quiet - too quiet really. Perhaps a full fridge is not so bad after all!

July 23 - Front Row Seats

When our cruise chip docked in Skagway, Lyle and I decided to go the local musical show.  Rather than take the bus excursion from the ship we decided to walk.  We had allowed lots of time and arrived at the theatre quite early.  Seating was on a first come basis and when Lyle asked, I naturally chose the front row.

Front row seating is great for me.  While I can’t see details of faces, costumes, or stage sets, I can still see movement.  I am so grateful for this.  It does add to my enjoyment of most live theatre and movie productions.

This week we are in Cardston, a small town in southern Alberta.  Each summer the local theatre group here stages three different performances.  Usually this involves a musical, a play, and something more geared towards kids.  I love the variety and we always book early so that we can sit near the very front. Because Cardston has a relatively small theatre, all seats are the same price.  I find it unfortunate that in the large city theatres the front row seats are generally much more expensive than other seats in the theatre. While concessions are often made to people with wheelchairs there doesn’t seem to be a similar seating concession for those of us with low vision.

The other night in Cardston, we saw Nice Work If You Can Get It.  The singing, dancing, and acting of the entire cast was very entertaining, and the voices of the two leads were exceptional.  The whole show was a lot of fun.

After the performance the cast members all lined on the sidewalk outside to greet the audience.  I like this close-up interaction with the performers.  In the picture below I am posed between the two lead performers.

 

 

Sue in between two cast members 

 

 

 

July 16 - Telling Time

This past week the battery in my favourite clock died. Fortunately, Lyle had another battery stored away and he was able to set the clock going again. I say the clock is my favourite because it chimes. While other people might find the chiming annoying, I find the chimes almost essential. While I can’t read the hands on the clock face, I can hear the time it is telling.

It’s a strange thing about needing to know the time. I am a bit of a stickler for punctuality and I dislike being late. As the minutes tick by towards an appointment or even a casual meet up with friends, I find myself constantly checking the time on my audible watch. While the clock gives me the time to the quarter hour, my watch gives me the time to the minute.  My watch also tells the day and date. I found this especially helpful when we were on holidays last week. I find it difficult to keep track of the days when I am in vacation mode. I know that my phone has all the audible settings I have mentioned, but then again, I don’t like to carry my phone around when I am on holidays.

What a boon it is for us with low or no vision that we are living in this time of advanced technology. I would be lost or at least severely inconvenienced if it wasn’t for my audible devices. Telling or hearing the time is just one such technological advantage.

 

 

 

July 8 - Low Vision Confusion

Actually this is a two part post.  I wasn’t sure to title it “Low Vision Confusion” or “Glacial Splendour.”  Let me explain.  Lyle and I are on an Alaska cruise, and today we sailed into Glacier Bay.

The scenery in this part of the state is spectacular. Because the vista is so vast, I am at least able see some of it.  Margerie’s Glacier, where we sailed today, was a definite highlight.  Although others in our group have also seen whales and sea otters, I am waiting and hopeful that one will surface close enough to the ship so that I can also have this visual experience.

Now to the low vision confusion.  I have been wearing my low vision badge and using my white cane.  It is surprising how few people seem to recognize their significance.

Today in the dining room, I was pleased when waiter #1 realized that I didn’t need a print menu.  Then waiter #2 approached to hand me the print menu.  Then waiter #3, realizing I couldn’t see, possibly imagining that I couldn’t speak either, asked Lyle for my lunch order. While the waiters seemed unsure of how to approach a person with low vision, they were also working with the handicap of speaking English as a second language.  It was all very confusing.  However, waiter #1 wins the medal for the best attempt when he delivered my food. He identified each plate as he placed it in front me.

Back to glacial splendour.  There are two pictures with this post.  In the first, Lyle and I are standing on our balcony with the waters of the bay and mountains in the background.  In the second, I am standing alone on the balcony with the expanse of snow and ice of Margerie’s Glacier behind me.

Sue and Lyle on the balcony in Glacier Bay 

Sue in front of Mergerie Glacier 

June 29 - I Love A Parade

For many people, the end of June signals the beginning of summer. It’s a time for festivals, street markets, rodeos and parades. In some towns, there is an annual parade, perhaps for Canada Day or as in the case of our town, a parade associated with the town stampede and rodeo.

Theoretically, I love a parade, but at the same time the other side of my brain is asking why? I can’t see the floats. I don’t especially like crowds and there are bound to be people there whom I know but won’t recognize. Once again, I was quite undecided as to whether or not I wanted to go. In the end and in spite of my indecision, Lyle tossed the lawn chairs into the trunk and away we went.

Did I have a good time? Of course I did. It wasn’t as good as if I could see all that was going on, but nevertheless it was fun. Lyle manoeuvred our way through the crowds and found a good spot to place our chairs. The group of people who were sitting next to us were old friends and I had no need to explain anything about my vision challenges. As the morning wore on, I could feel the sun warm on my back. Lyle described each of the floats as they passed in front of us and I could definitely hear the music. I especially like the sound of bagpipes and there were two bands with this instrument. This year there had to be at least 200 horses in the parade. Lyle began to count about halfway through, but I could hear the sound of all the hooves clattering on the pavement. Next to us I could hear the excited yells of the youngsters as they dashed forward to retrieve the candies that were thrown their way. There was lots of laughter all around.

Yes, I love a parade! Certainly it could have been a more expanded experience if it wasn’t for my sight limitations, but I still managed to enjoy what I could. It was definitely better than sitting at home, feeling sorry for myself and looking at the wall. I love a parade!

There are two pictures with this post. In the first, a four-horse team pulling a wagon is passing in front of me. In the second picture, I am still watching as the wagon comes closer. There are two drivers wearing red t-shirts and I am wearing a red cardigan. There are a number of people in the wagon and two red flags at the rear.

Sue standing in front of a four-horse team pulling a wagon

Sue in front of the wagon