Initially,
I wasn't sure if I wanted to title this post “Blind Frustration” or
“Vision Inadequacy.” Both subject lines seemed to cover the way I was
feeling - and yes, before you ask, both titles revolved around my
frustration with technology.
Ah…. technology!
Certainly the digital age is here, but I am confused. On the one hand I
am supremely grateful for the innovations and improvements that have
been made to devices that make my life as a visually impaired person
both manageable and easier. On the other hand, I am flummoxed when
these same devices stop functioning the way they are supposed to.
The
audible program on my computer is really quite amazing. Although I am
unable to see the print on the screen, my program reads it to me. I can
send and receive emails and search the internet as well. As I say,
amazing! That is, until for some inexplicable reason, the whole thing
stops. I can see enough to know that there is a new box on the screen
with additional instructions, but I can’t see well enough to fix the
problem. I am at a stand still. It is hugely frustrating.
I
love my phone - that is, unless I am hating it. I love being able to
send and receive audible text messages. It is great that I can ask Siri
to dial phone numbers for me. He can tell me other information, such
as the weather or temperature outside, and it is all with an Australian
accent no less. What I don’t understand is why at odd and inconvenient
occasions, the screen on my phone chooses to go to a different setting
and I am unable to even answer a simple phone call. In a flash I seem
to go from feeling competent and independent to feeling helpless and
inadequate.
It is all a bit of a paradox. However, on the whole I am glad that the good days with technology far outweigh the occasional glitches with the
system. I just need to remind myself of this when these moments of
frustration impinge on an otherwise sunny day.
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