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Mind Like a Steal Trap

Well March 26 was the first real mobility lesson that I had. I did a lot of walking by myself. It was nerve racking thing, but I did it. I walked in Boscov's, down through the mall and to an ATM that despite the fact that it has the jack for headphones it does not talk. Ugh. Not the end of the world. From there I walked to the post office in the mall, mailed a letter for my instructor, Elaine, and then back to her. After that I walked up to T.G.I.Friday's and got a take-out menu for Elaine. We took a short break then it was back to Boscov's and then to the car. We then went to Wawa to use their ATM.

Ok first to talk about the letter. Elaine gave me 50 cents to get a stamp for her letter that had to be mailed. I haven't done this since I lost my sight. I went into the post office/service center for the mall. There was only one woman working in there because it was in the middle of the day and the mall wasn't very busy. I went in, bought the stamp, and asked if there was any word yet as to what was going to be going into where Sears is. No word yet, but they are trying to get something in there. When I was finished I walked up to Ross and met Elaine at the chairs out front of the store.

Second, I went to Friday's and got Elaine a take-out menu. I found the restaurant all by myself and asked the nice woman inside for the menu. While she was getting it, I talked to the guy that was also working. He asked me how my day was going. At this point I need to mention that Rich did this too, but it was not as easy for him. He had to walk through the restaurant to get help since no one was at the front podium. I was very lucky.

Third, I walked back to Boscov's and made it to the entrance/exit. I had to make it around the tables in the front of the store. I knew I was in the right place because of the pajamas that I felt, I felt them when I came in. I made it through the mall and that is what mattered.

Elaine and I then went to Wawa to use their ATM since the one at the mall doesn't talk. I was able to use my own card since Wawa doesn't charge to use their ATMs. I found the headphone jack and did everything by myself. Elaine was very proud of how fast I did it. Not that it was hard, just plug in the headphones and listen to what it tells you to do.

I know for some this may not seem like a big deal, but when you are blind these are huge milestones. I know I have a lot more training and I may even have it for the rest of my life, but that is ok. In the end it makes me a more independant person and hopefully I won't have to depend on Rich as much.