I needed to visit my local library for some children’s books for church. This is an experience that is like flipping a coin. Sometimes it is great and others it is not so great. I can go to a library and staff will be there that are interested in helping me and understand why a person who can’t read regular print needs help finding what they are looking for.
Then I can go to a library where they are low staffed, using volunteers, busy and not really interested in helping me or seemingly have no enthusiasm. I really enjoy the idea of finding books on my own and I start out trying to be independent and then frustration sets in. I can read the big section signs but I can’t read the spines of the books to see the author or call number. Heck, I didn't know, until I started library school that every subject had specific numbers so that in any library you can find the books on a specific subject. This is still somewhat of a mystery to me but I am guessing when I take 616 in the fall it will become crystal clear.
Because I go to a regular print library so sparingly things change every time I am there. I first asked if the computer still has adaptive technology (AT) and the lady says she doesn’t know. Then that computer had a patron using it so I couldn’t even find out if it had AT. Then I ask another person behind the desk if they have children’s books on forgiveness and she does a quick search and comes up with nothing. So I go browse……nothing in the religion section….nothing in the activity section…..then I decided to go to the catalog in regular print and do a couple of quick searches myself. Because of my low vision I can only do this for a little while before it gives me a big headache. Had I been thinking about it I should have done a search at home with my own AT before I left and known exactly what I wanted and then had someone help me.
The good news is that there was a list of books about treating kids kindly and I searched for some of the books myself. It is hard to see the small print and I felt inadequate. However, when I asked for help the person behind the desk followed the same steps that I did and she couldn’t find them either. The catalog said that they were there but they were not on the shelves. This made me feel better.
I say this all in this blog not so that you will feel sorry for me but so that you will recognize someone who needs help and so that I will help myself before I go!!
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Traveling and Accessibility
In general when most people think of disability and accessibility they think of people who use wheelchairs and need ramps and facilities. Think about it, how often do you see those signs with wheelchairs on them? It is most certainly an adventure to travel with a visual disability. Are there steps? Where is the door or restroom? Please keep in mind this is all generally speaking and my personal observations. Years ago I was visiting the Indianapolis Motor Speedway where they have a NASCAR museum. It is a wonderful museum. All of the cars are behind ropes, understandably so. All of the information about the artifacts was on big plaques inside the ropes. They were definitely information rich. I love information, if I could see them I would have read all of them. First, the signs were too far away and second the print was smaller than what I am able to read from that distance even with a monocular. I asked at the information desk if they had an enlargement of what was written on the plaques or an audio described version of the exhibits. The response was no but we can let you touch the cars if you would like. No thank you, I just want the information. So I looked at all the fast cars but could not learn about them.
I was recently at Niagara Falls which has a mini history museum of the falls in its welcome center. I asked if they had an audio described tour and was told no but they had something for the deaf and did I need that. It is tough not to be snotty and say nope I can hear. But that does no one any good. So I politely smile, explain what I would benefit from and say no thank you. My husband often says it is not our job to educate people. He is correct it is not but if we don’t educate others as we go along how will they know and who will?
In the end my point is this accessibility does not have to be expensive. Let us look at the NASCAR museum for example. A volunteer could take a laptop and type up all of the information on the plaques. Then they could be brailled, printed in larger fonts or read onto a digital recorder. These are all options that would probably cost around $100 and take minimal effort. This same thing could be done for the Niagara Falls exhibit. Think about it if you make things accessible for those who use wheelchairs you are opening up the market for those who walk with canes, walkers or are rolling children in strollers. If you work toward accessibility for those who are blind or have low vision you are marketing toward the senior population. The same could be said for those with hearing loss. Let it be said that if I ever win the lottery I am going to travel the country as a consultant and help make museums and fun places accessible not only for people who are blind or have low vision but for all concerned.
Audio Description see
www.artsaccessinc.org
I was recently at Niagara Falls which has a mini history museum of the falls in its welcome center. I asked if they had an audio described tour and was told no but they had something for the deaf and did I need that. It is tough not to be snotty and say nope I can hear. But that does no one any good. So I politely smile, explain what I would benefit from and say no thank you. My husband often says it is not our job to educate people. He is correct it is not but if we don’t educate others as we go along how will they know and who will?
In the end my point is this accessibility does not have to be expensive. Let us look at the NASCAR museum for example. A volunteer could take a laptop and type up all of the information on the plaques. Then they could be brailled, printed in larger fonts or read onto a digital recorder. These are all options that would probably cost around $100 and take minimal effort. This same thing could be done for the Niagara Falls exhibit. Think about it if you make things accessible for those who use wheelchairs you are opening up the market for those who walk with canes, walkers or are rolling children in strollers. If you work toward accessibility for those who are blind or have low vision you are marketing toward the senior population. The same could be said for those with hearing loss. Let it be said that if I ever win the lottery I am going to travel the country as a consultant and help make museums and fun places accessible not only for people who are blind or have low vision but for all concerned.
Audio Description see
www.artsaccessinc.org
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
A Mini Lesson in Codependency and Boundaries
According to Mirriam-Webster.com the definition of codependency is a psychological condition or a relationship in which a person is controlled or manipulated by another who is affected with a pathological condition (as an addiction to alcohol or heroin); broadly : dependence on the needs of or control by another
That is not what it means to me! Codependency can affect every facet of your life. From letting a person verbally abuse you, to wanting to please everyone and make everyone like you. Codependency and boundary issues go hand in hand for me. After years of therapy I have finally gotten it…I think.
This weekend I am at a family reunion and I heard an aunt say I just want everyone to like me, really? In theory is everyone going to like you and like the actions that you take NO!!
It is a lot like the karate kid “wax on wax off”. Codependency and boundaries are kin to: this is my yard and this is your yard and there will be no mowing of other people’s yard. Not everyone has to like me and I don’t have to do everything possible for that to happen. Conversely, I don’t HAVE to like or get along with everyone else. I also don’t have to let anyone verbally abuse me. I have (and so do you) the right to walk away and surround myself with people who are non toxic. If you are not adding to my world, then you don’t belong in it. You don’t have to be mean about setting your boundaries just reinforce how you want and should be treated. I often fall pray, and particularly in big crowds, to wanting to make sure everyone is having fun. That is also not my job. It is the job of the person to pick things that are fun to do. It really is about taking care of yourself and helping others when they ask. The big lesson, is listen to others advice and concerns but in the end do what is best for you!
There are a lot of books and resources out there for people who need a little nudge in the area of codependency. There are books and daily devotionals that will help along the way. No need to immerse yourself just read the ones that are of interest to you.
According to Mirriam-Webster.com the definition of codependency is a psychological condition or a relationship in which a person is controlled or manipulated by another who is affected with a pathological condition (as an addiction to alcohol or heroin); broadly : dependence on the needs of or control by another
That is not what it means to me! Codependency can affect every facet of your life. From letting a person verbally abuse you, to wanting to please everyone and make everyone like you. Codependency and boundary issues go hand in hand for me. After years of therapy I have finally gotten it…I think.
This weekend I am at a family reunion and I heard an aunt say I just want everyone to like me, really? In theory is everyone going to like you and like the actions that you take NO!!
It is a lot like the karate kid “wax on wax off”. Codependency and boundaries are kin to: this is my yard and this is your yard and there will be no mowing of other people’s yard. Not everyone has to like me and I don’t have to do everything possible for that to happen. Conversely, I don’t HAVE to like or get along with everyone else. I also don’t have to let anyone verbally abuse me. I have (and so do you) the right to walk away and surround myself with people who are non toxic. If you are not adding to my world, then you don’t belong in it. You don’t have to be mean about setting your boundaries just reinforce how you want and should be treated. I often fall pray, and particularly in big crowds, to wanting to make sure everyone is having fun. That is also not my job. It is the job of the person to pick things that are fun to do. It really is about taking care of yourself and helping others when they ask. The big lesson, is listen to others advice and concerns but in the end do what is best for you!
There are a lot of books and resources out there for people who need a little nudge in the area of codependency. There are books and daily devotionals that will help along the way. No need to immerse yourself just read the ones that are of interest to you.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Vitamin B and You
Four years back or so I started not being able to eat. I mean every time I ate something it did not go over too well. It was like a cement block had taken up residence in my stomach. One day I had a racing heartbeat and went to the doctor. That was scary. They said it was nothing. Over time I started sleeping all the time and I don’t mean cat naps I mean full blown afternoons. I would sleep from 12:30-6 pm on Sundays get up for a little while and then go right back to sleep. I often said that if sleep were an olymic sport I would be a gold medalist.
The doctor thought it might be depression so on meds I went! Some time later I was walking my normal route home from the bus stop and had to stop. I could not catch my breath. It eventually got to where I could not walk any length of time because I could not breathe. It was especially difficult on stairs. Oh and did I mention my hands and feet were tingling and losing feeling?
In an effort to "fix" my problem I took probiotics, I ate the special yogurt and tried to modify my diet. I tried to eliminate items from my diet in an effort to single them out and see if that was the problem. I took an allergy test and I was ALLERGIC to the test itself. FINALLY, I got diagnosed with the inablility to digest cholesterol. WOOHOO we have a winner.....or did we? The medicine for that worked wonders I felt better than I had in two years!! However, I still could not breathe and I was still sleeping all the time.
For insurance reasons I had to switch doctors. Several thousand dollars worth of tests later.....
I finally went to my doctor and told her I was not crazy and that there was definately something wrong. I told her I was NOT leaving until something was done. She performed some physical tests, took blood work and said she would see me soon.
Come to find out I am Vitamin B defficient. VItamin B?
After research, I found out that, Vitamin B aids in the function of red blood cells which help your digestive system and help maintain oxygen levels. I can eat food that I have never in my life been able to eat. I take vitamin B by shot every 21 days because my body will not absorb it in pill form and I will probably have to do this for the rest of my life.
You are probably wondering, why is she sharing this with us? Who cares? I want you to know that a Vitamin defficiency of any kind can be extremely detramental to your health. Had my Vitamin B not been reconginzed I could have lost the ability to remember things. This is important you may know someone with this problem...Take care of you and listen to your body!!
Four years back or so I started not being able to eat. I mean every time I ate something it did not go over too well. It was like a cement block had taken up residence in my stomach. One day I had a racing heartbeat and went to the doctor. That was scary. They said it was nothing. Over time I started sleeping all the time and I don’t mean cat naps I mean full blown afternoons. I would sleep from 12:30-6 pm on Sundays get up for a little while and then go right back to sleep. I often said that if sleep were an olymic sport I would be a gold medalist.
The doctor thought it might be depression so on meds I went! Some time later I was walking my normal route home from the bus stop and had to stop. I could not catch my breath. It eventually got to where I could not walk any length of time because I could not breathe. It was especially difficult on stairs. Oh and did I mention my hands and feet were tingling and losing feeling?
In an effort to "fix" my problem I took probiotics, I ate the special yogurt and tried to modify my diet. I tried to eliminate items from my diet in an effort to single them out and see if that was the problem. I took an allergy test and I was ALLERGIC to the test itself. FINALLY, I got diagnosed with the inablility to digest cholesterol. WOOHOO we have a winner.....or did we? The medicine for that worked wonders I felt better than I had in two years!! However, I still could not breathe and I was still sleeping all the time.
For insurance reasons I had to switch doctors. Several thousand dollars worth of tests later.....
I finally went to my doctor and told her I was not crazy and that there was definately something wrong. I told her I was NOT leaving until something was done. She performed some physical tests, took blood work and said she would see me soon.
Come to find out I am Vitamin B defficient. VItamin B?
After research, I found out that, Vitamin B aids in the function of red blood cells which help your digestive system and help maintain oxygen levels. I can eat food that I have never in my life been able to eat. I take vitamin B by shot every 21 days because my body will not absorb it in pill form and I will probably have to do this for the rest of my life.
You are probably wondering, why is she sharing this with us? Who cares? I want you to know that a Vitamin defficiency of any kind can be extremely detramental to your health. Had my Vitamin B not been reconginzed I could have lost the ability to remember things. This is important you may know someone with this problem...Take care of you and listen to your body!!
Friday, July 9, 2010
The Baby Shower-Infertility and its Options
Some people think infertility is just about not having the ability to get pregnant. It is about so much more than that! Society teaches us that women as a rule get married, get a house and then get pregnant. For me: get married –check- get a house -check- get pregnant---not so much. It is difficult not to be pressured when it is not your fault it is the body you were given. Ok there certainly ARE worse things in the world. However, being surrounded by others having babies is not easy. Baby showers are THE WORST (even if it is your best friend)! You are sooo happy for them and want to share in their joy but that is just it...Their joy. So you are sitting through this ritual, a sort of right of passage, that you know you will never have. In some cases it is worse for my husband and I because we both have low vision and want to adopt and NOT give birth to a child naturally. You would be surprised how many people DON’T want us to adopt or say they will help us and then let us down in the end. Say what you want, say what you will, but "Oh it is meant to be" or "oh your time will come". Should we really believe that? In some cases even the family isn’t on board with the process.
I promised that this blog would not be depressing so here goes. When we first started this process there were not many resources out there. At this point there are so many resources it can actually be overwhelming. So for all you couples out there struggling, there is even an entire language around infertility. You will need a cheat sheet. The money is an important issue. My two pieces of advise get a job that pays for infertility or live in a state that mandates infertility coverage. There are tax incentives, social networking support websites, local support groups and of course ME your friend in fighting for what you desire.
Listed below are some websites to explore.
I personally find it easier to cope if I have a really good friend I can cry with!
The National Infertility Association
http://www.resolve.org/
The Language of Infertility (this looks like an ad but keep scrolling)
http://pregnancy.families.com/blog/understanding-the-language-of-infertility
Adoption Support Website
http://www.adopting.org/adoptions/adoption-support-groups.html
Children waiting to be adopted Nationwide
http://www.adoptuskids.org/
Living Childfree
http://www.inspire.com/groups/finding-a-resolution-for-infertility/topics/living-childfree/
I promised that this blog would not be depressing so here goes. When we first started this process there were not many resources out there. At this point there are so many resources it can actually be overwhelming. So for all you couples out there struggling, there is even an entire language around infertility. You will need a cheat sheet. The money is an important issue. My two pieces of advise get a job that pays for infertility or live in a state that mandates infertility coverage. There are tax incentives, social networking support websites, local support groups and of course ME your friend in fighting for what you desire.
Listed below are some websites to explore.
I personally find it easier to cope if I have a really good friend I can cry with!
The National Infertility Association
http://www.resolve.org/
The Language of Infertility (this looks like an ad but keep scrolling)
http://pregnancy.families.com/blog/understanding-the-language-of-infertility
Adoption Support Website
http://www.adopting.org/adoptions/adoption-support-groups.html
Children waiting to be adopted Nationwide
http://www.adoptuskids.org/
Living Childfree
http://www.inspire.com/groups/finding-a-resolution-for-infertility/topics/living-childfree/
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Is Listening Reading?
So to understand this post you need a little background. I was born totally blind and gained my sight after birth. I never read much it was too much of an effort. Then I started working at a library. This library is a library for the blind. They offer books in alternate formats, specifically books on tape and in digital format. http://www.loc.gov/nls/ Then one day I met my husband who also has low vision. I will read anything I can get my hands on inclusive of the cereal box, he reads facebook. Well...to each his or her own correct?
The topic "reading" what exactly does it mean to you? I ask this because I am in the process of losing some of my vision yet I still "need" to experience books by holding them. I read in large type, on cassette, digitally, with a closed circuit television and the occasional piece of regular print (if I want to read something pretty badly). So I was listening to a book the other night and I said something about what I was "reading" my husband said "you aren't reading you are listening". At that point I felt obligated to defend my stance on reading. But...don't tell him it really got me thinking. SO if I am experiencing a book through my ears and not my eyes aren't I still reading? If the book has an author, has been published, put in an altenate format am I still reading?
According to www.m-w.com reading can be an interpretation of something. A book on cassette could be an interpretation of the written word. Although for non commercial items narrators are NOT encouraged to interpret the text. That is supposed to be done with my imagination. To listen is to hear soemthing with thoughtful attention according to www.m-w.com. I believe that is the way I read my books! What do you think?
The topic "reading" what exactly does it mean to you? I ask this because I am in the process of losing some of my vision yet I still "need" to experience books by holding them. I read in large type, on cassette, digitally, with a closed circuit television and the occasional piece of regular print (if I want to read something pretty badly). So I was listening to a book the other night and I said something about what I was "reading" my husband said "you aren't reading you are listening". At that point I felt obligated to defend my stance on reading. But...don't tell him it really got me thinking. SO if I am experiencing a book through my ears and not my eyes aren't I still reading? If the book has an author, has been published, put in an altenate format am I still reading?
According to www.m-w.com reading can be an interpretation of something. A book on cassette could be an interpretation of the written word. Although for non commercial items narrators are NOT encouraged to interpret the text. That is supposed to be done with my imagination. To listen is to hear soemthing with thoughtful attention according to www.m-w.com. I believe that is the way I read my books! What do you think?
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Are We There Yet and What I Don’t Want to be When I Grow Up!
I learned today that I definitely do not have the skills or desire to be a systems librarian. These presentations were valuable but not my cup of tea. I also learned that rare books are interesting but I had a hard time maintaining a high level of attention. It was very visual and I was very tired. I did find out from the presenter that I can go look at most of the books in digital pictures online. I can’t wait until I have the time to do that. The facts given verbally were fascinating. I had a lot of questions but was afraid to ask them because I am unfamiliar with this field. I did ask a question and it didn’t even kill me. The artifact repair was incredibly fascinating. It was a lot of science. It must be gratifying to bring something that was broken to a usable state. It was one of those things that I would love to do but too much science for me. We also saw how to repair books that circulate in the collection. I used to do this at my library but have not done it in awhile. I still have to assign volunteers to repair books and I know the items we use for repair. They are very different from what Bird Library uses to repair their books. This made me wish for better materials to repair the books in our collection. The group work dynamic is totally different from the group I had in 601. It feels like an uphill battle. There is not much consistency and things keep changing. I feel like I will learn from this experience. I am just wondering, when and what? I will let you know!
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