This section of the EYE-DAS web site is devoted to the problems and questions faced in everyday life while coping with vision loss. There are many things that blind or visually impaired people and their sighted friends can do to make life safer and easier.

If you have a question, please email it to [email protected] We will do our best to assist you.

SOLUTION: One time, I was invited to a formal dinner and hesitated to give my RSVP because of the situation with the knife, I did not want to embarrass anyone. Long story short, I went to the dinner, by coincidence the table of eight I sat at had a guest that was totally blind. When our plates were served, there it was, a whole chicken breast, I had to slice it, sigh. I waited for a moment until everyone started to eat and noticed the guest that was totally blind rubbed the sides of the knife against the fork to listen for the sound of the teeth, WOW!

How simple the tip! Now, if only at a formal dinner, the powers that be, let a person use a spoon when peas and corn are rolling all over the plate. Smile!

 

SOLUTION: You could turn, snarl, and tell them in no uncertain terms that you have no intention of cutting their grass, no matter how much they might plead (Just kidding.) It is suggested that you turn, smile, and extricate your limbs or neck from their grasp. Then, with the utmost politeness, explain to them that it would be far better for you to lightly hold their arm so that they would precede you just a bit. You could explain that they could pause at steps, pull their elbow in if they wanted you to walk closer to them for a moment, or extend their arm back if they wanted you to walk behind them in a cramped space. You might explain that they would precede you through doorways, telling you on which side to take the door from them. In that way, you could avoid dancing in doorways while you each grapple for power over the offending portal.