traveling

So- I am sitting here at the UAB Center for Low Vision Rehab (on an awesome large print computer, btw) and was in a blogging mood. I was asking around the center on what people thought would be a good blog topic, and Dr. DeCarlo came up with a winner. How does one travel with Low Vision?

There are many ways those with Low Vision can be successful traveling via air. Although I am 17, I have often traveled by myself in airports and been just fine. (I am the kind of person who does not let my parents be my "eyes" I like to figure things out!). Low vision technology is getting more and more advanced everyday, and thanks to some great tools and tricks, traveling can be painless.

Luggage: Finding luggage can be a scary and overwhelming thing with low vision (similar to finding friends in a crowded cafeteria I mentioned in my previous post). To ease this process, I used to travel with a BRIGHT lime green suitcase. This way, I can spot it the second it pops out onto the carousel and not get lost in the sea of black and brown suitcases. However, if you do not own a bright colored suitcase there are plenty of other options. Try tying a bright ribbon or bright luggage tag to one of the handle of your suitcase. I am leaving for D.C. with a black suitcase, and I have adorned it with bright red and pink ribbons/luggage tags to help!

Looking for connecting flights on the arrival departure screens: This also has potential to be an anxiety-provoking process. However, any V.I.P. can conquer this challenge. Because I am extremely persistent about doing everything on my own- I use my monocular telescope in the airport. It helps by LEAPS AND BOUNDS! If you do not have a monocular, however; the airport attendants will be happy to help you find where you need to go, just ask! I know asking can seem quite overwhelming, but you have to advocate for yourself. Don't get caught in the frustration of not being able to read the screens, take action! BE YOUR OWN SELF ADVOCATE!

Well- I gotta bounce...off to D.C. to share the Songs for Sight mission with the suits on capitol hill!

PEACE

-alie b.

P.S.- say a prayer for all of the kids and young adults at the Songs for Sight support group IMPACT weekend today- it is going to be incredible, and I am sad to be missing it!

the tricks of the trade

Through Songs for Sight, I have had opportunities to meet other teens with low vision. As a matter of fact, when I was undergoing my bioptic training I met one of my greatest friends, Lauren. I KNOW I haven't blogged in ages, so I was brainstorming on a topic, and Lauren and I had one of those "lightbulb moments."

Both Lauren and I have grown up with our eye conditions, and have learned how to make adaptations in social situations to keep it classy. We thought some of our little tricks" to VIP (visually impaired persons) Survival in the Real World 101.

1. If we hear our name called in a school hallway, we shout HEY, and wave back in response....even if we may be waving and shouting in the wrong direction. Most likely, if you are far away from us, we have no clue who the heck you are, but heck, we are social butterflies!

2. We totally fake conversations until you get close enough for us to see who you are. (this may take AWHILE!)

3. We automatically wave when a passing car honks (just in case...)

4. At fast food establishments, or places where the menus written high up on the wall, we order the same thing as our friends to keep it cool. (Unless we have our monocular telescopes with us, then we whip 'em out and look like we are star-gazing, while in reality, we just want some variety in our meal...not what our friends ordered).

5. We enter an elevator on the opposite side as the buttons so that we can simply tell someone where we're headed instead of searching for the right button to press. (this has potential to be a lengthy process if we end up button-hunting).

6. We always go ahead of friends in at lunch so that we have to wait on them to pay instead of being left to find them in a crowded cafeteria. (Nothing is worse than being a blindie left to find people in a crowded area).

7. If it is dark outside, we always have a "guide human," for example...my friends know that when it is dark, I will grab their arm....it is not awkward or frightening to them anymore...it is a way of life.

8. When attending sporting events in large arenas such as football, baseball, occasionally basketball.....we are truly there for the social side of things. We love our team....but are clueless as of what is happening in the game. BUT we follow crowd cues and get REALLY into it by joining in in chants, standing up for touchdowns or baskets, yelling defense, or acting sad when our players make a mistake. *However, this has potential to be a tough situation...I have followed crowd cues for the wrong team before.....YIKES!)

That's all for today, kids. More soon, I promise!!!!!!!!!!!