Sometimes I try to do this test for myself at home. Of course, I have the added advantage of knowing how many fingers I am holding up, but I still try to see if the number that I see matches what I know to be there. I also have the advantage of trying this test in various lights as opposed to the dimly lit room of the optometrist office.
There are also times when I wonder if I will always have all my fingers to count. I was thinking this just the other day when I once again jammed my thumb into a splinter of wood. I had been reaching down to a lock on our deck door but somehow misjudged where I was reaching and suddenly ...OW! The splinter jammed itself right under my thumbnail. Even then I couldn’t see exactly what I had done. After Lyle pulled it out with tweezers, he told me that I shouldn’t put the chunk of wood in the garbage. When I asked why not, he responded with unusual and mostly unappreciated humour that the splinter might just be big enough to add as kindling for our woodpile.
Because I can’t see the ends of my fingers, I have had several past accidentals pokes, slices and jabs. Last fall, I put my hand down to lift up our apple slicer. Unfortunately, it was upside down on the counter and I ended up with a deep slice in my left thumb.
These little misadventures have reminded me of how little I really do see with my central vision. I often find myself reaching and touching things that I can’t see. Most of the accidents are minor – a spilt glass of water for instance. Minor accidents are frustrating but the issue can usually be resolved without too much fuss. The others, where I end up hurt, take a little more time. My thumb is still bruised and hurting although I count myself fortunate that I will likely keep the nail. Basically, if I hope to continue to count fingers I need to take more care when I am handling sharp objects. I need my hands and fingers with their accompanying sense of touch to help me see.
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