So I have not posted in awhile. Sorry about that. I have some very exciting news though. I got an iPhone. Now I feel like I am in the 21st century finally. Let me explain what lead to it.
My other phone charger died and when I went to get a new one I couldn't. On May 6th I went to King of Prussia Mall with mom, Barb, and Rich. We went to the big AT&T store and they could not help me. So we went to Radio Shack and they could not help me. Went to the small AT&T store and they could not help me either. Since we were at KoP we went to the Apple store and they of course had the iPhone 32gb in black in stock, so I got one and so did Rich.
I got the iPhone because it is truly the only accessible phone for me. I have voice over enabled on it. Between that and Siri I love my new phone.
I have downloaded ringtones for my family. I have also downloaded apps.
The first app I will talk about is the Look Tell money reader. I can now read the paper currency without the help of sighted people. It may not seem like that big of a deal, but it is. I got change back yesterday at Wal-mart and was able to check out what the bills were and place them in their proper place in my wallet all on my own. Yeah!
Next I also downloaded ColorID. This identifies colors for me. I can tell what color clothes are or even the color of someones hair.
I also got Ariadne GPS. It is really nice. I have not tried it outside of houses yet though. That is the next step for me.
I also got Weatherbug, Yellowpages, and Price Scan to read barcodes of items. ColorID and the last three were all free. The money reader was 9.99 and the GPS was 5.99 dollars to download.
I love my new phone and come this fall Apple is releasing a new operating system for the iPhone. Siri will be even smarter and FB will be integrated into the phone.
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.
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.
Only 1
Well as of today, I am only on 1 pill. I am off the tricore for my tryglyceride levels. To think that 4 years ago they were over 1600 and now they are normal. It took me awhile, but now I only take 1 pill. The pill I am taking is DDAVP for the diabetes insipedis or DI for short. I am so happy about this. I was actually crying over this. I am so excited about this. I am getting control over my life. I was taken off the DDAVP briefly, but needed to be on it. I still take some suppliments to help me out, but I do not count them. The DDAVP is a small pill and I don't mind that one. I don't show many signs of DI and I would love to be off all meds, but it is just not meant to be at this time. I am just thrilled to be off all meds for the tryglycerides. First I came off the fish oil tablets then the niaspan. That helped with my bruising and hot flashes I was getting. The bruising was from the fish oil since it is a blood thinner. The hot flashes were from the niaspan. It also helps that I continue to lose weight. I am so happy.
TSO
Long time no post. Last Saturday November 19th I went to the Trans Siberian Orchestra concert.. It was so much fun. It was me, Rich, his mom Barb, my sister Cassie, and my parents. The same usher that helped my parents, Rich, and I last year was the same guy. He remembered us, I am not surprised though. Honestly how many blind people does he deal with. The show was great. It was the same story as last year, but it was still enjoyable. It was down in Philly at the Wells-Fargo Center. The seats were awesome. Like last year, I really couldn't see much other than the lights changing colors. Also there were pyrotechnics towards the end. I did feel those again. All in all it was a great day. This is the third time me, Rich, and my folks have seen TSO. Although it was the same show as last year, it was still fun.
Swimming
I have been swimming a lot. Today is the second day of 80 laps.. I swam 80 yesterday. Since the beginning of September, I have been swimming tons. Rich is taking lessons so he can swim with me. The first time I did it, I only swam 24 laps. After that I went to 40 laps and I have done 60 laps. I have done 80 three times now. 72 is one mile, so swimming 80 is a little over a mile. I have tried other strokes, but feel most comfortable doing breaststroke. I am doing awesome with it though. I am under 160 pounds.
I guess I should explain that Rich and I now have a membership to the Pottstown YMCA. We got it because they have the indoor pool and Rich wanted to get me back in the water. He knew I can swim and thought it would be great exercise for me. There are two pools, a whirlpool, two gyms, a weight room, and an indoor track.
I guess I should explain that Rich and I now have a membership to the Pottstown YMCA. We got it because they have the indoor pool and Rich wanted to get me back in the water. He knew I can swim and thought it would be great exercise for me. There are two pools, a whirlpool, two gyms, a weight room, and an indoor track.
Miss Saigon
Well I saw Miss Saigon. Even though this is being posted on July 18th, I actually saw it on July 17th. It was so good. It was the second time I saw the show. I went with my parents. I got the tickets from a very nice guy that I went to school with. He wanted to do something for me, so I said I wanted to see this show.
The seats were so good. We were only feet from the stage. I still could not see much, but I still enjoyed it. It was not too loud, which was a fear of mine. We were also almost directly in the center. The show was at the Walnut Street Theater. I had never been to that theater before, so I was unsure how it was set up.
After the show mom and I went to the ladies room and while we were waiting dad called me. When I answered it he stated that he was in the lobby with one of the main guys from the show and he was waiting to meet me. Mom and I hurried up and by the time we got there there was another cast member there. While we were talking the main female role came in with a friend of hers. So I got to meet all of them and got my picture taken with them. Then when we left and started heading towards the parking garage, we met two of the other leads. The main male role and his best friend in the show. It was so awesome.
I will definitely go back there. It was so easy to navigate and was all level for me. Well there was a slight slope in the theater itself, but other than that it is level. The one parking garage is right next to the theater.
I also wore my shirt from when I saw the show originally. Everyone that saw the shirt, both cast members and staff, loved it. It did stink that I was unable to buy a new shirt though. They were sold out of them. I can't be too suprised. Today was supposed to be the last day of the show, but it has been extended till July 24th.
The seats were so good. We were only feet from the stage. I still could not see much, but I still enjoyed it. It was not too loud, which was a fear of mine. We were also almost directly in the center. The show was at the Walnut Street Theater. I had never been to that theater before, so I was unsure how it was set up.
After the show mom and I went to the ladies room and while we were waiting dad called me. When I answered it he stated that he was in the lobby with one of the main guys from the show and he was waiting to meet me. Mom and I hurried up and by the time we got there there was another cast member there. While we were talking the main female role came in with a friend of hers. So I got to meet all of them and got my picture taken with them. Then when we left and started heading towards the parking garage, we met two of the other leads. The main male role and his best friend in the show. It was so awesome.
I will definitely go back there. It was so easy to navigate and was all level for me. Well there was a slight slope in the theater itself, but other than that it is level. The one parking garage is right next to the theater.
I also wore my shirt from when I saw the show originally. Everyone that saw the shirt, both cast members and staff, loved it. It did stink that I was unable to buy a new shirt though. They were sold out of them. I can't be too suprised. Today was supposed to be the last day of the show, but it has been extended till July 24th.
I Finished!
Well I did it. I finally finished the final Harry Potter book. It only took me about 8 months, but I am done. I finished it last night. I will not ruin it for those who are reading it or are going to. I did succeed though, my mission was to get book 7 read before the second part of the movie comes out. So now that they are all done, my next step is to watch the other movies. I have seen up to movie 5, that was the last one I saw before I lost my sight. I have the sixth one and have to buy the first part of the seventh one. I hate being so emotional now. I cried after the sixth and seventh books.
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