The Writing Dream

My dream of becoming a writer, began when I was six years old. Inspired by Enid Blyton's books, I would use a heavy, clunky brailler to create short stories. In later years, I conducted my writing on a computer, assisted by screen-reading technology. During school, writing helped to distract me from negative thinking. As I sat alone in the playground, my imagination would run wild! I was very shy and found it much easier to express myself through writing. Gradually, I attempted to write a novel. For a while, however, I lacked the confidence, the discaplin, the drive to succeed. At the first couple of hurdles, I would falter and eventually abandon the story. Finally, I completed my first novel. I then sent it away for a manuscript assessment. I'm now almost finished the final copy. I believe that writing involves passion, perseverance, skill and imagination. Most of all, however, we need to dream. Without that, it's very hard for us to be motivated. I'm going to try my best to make my dream of becoming a published author, into a reality! In my next post, I'll discuss some of the challenges I've faced throughout my writing journey, and how I dealt with them. Until next time! Bird's Eye

Don't Worry, Be Happy!

Life is great! I have a new boyfriend now! I am so happy.

I had a couple of minor setbacks earlier this week, but that's life. I'm not going to let little things worry me. As Bob Marley says in his song "don't worry, be happy". My boyfriend and I were talking about this song last night, and I've had it in my head all day!

Blind Sense

Many people believe that the blind have a heightened sense of touch, hearing, taste and smell. Research reveals, however, that any enhancements in these areas are due to practice, rather than overcompensation by the brain.

Studies indicate that those with vision loss, usually have an increased ability to detect and interpret tactile information. They constantly rely on feeling the world around them. Over time, their sense of touch usually improves. When first encountering Braille, I found it difficult to distinguish the dots. Over time however, this task became second nature.

According to a recent study conducted at McMaster University, proficient Braille readers performed significantly better on tactile tasks, than their sighted peers. Study author Mike Wong asserts that these findings may assist in further developing the sense of touch.

Research conducted at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, may, yielded different results. In this study, reading Braille did not seem to impact on a person’s ability to detect tactile information. In addition, those who were born blind, scored similarly to those who lost their sight later in life.

Blind people usually have remarkable hearing. They rely on auditory information to function in society. This usually involves training their hearing, so that they can gain maximum information about their surroundings. The age at which vision loss occurs, often affects a person's ability to improve their auditory system. According to studies conducted at the Montreal Neurological Institute of Canada's McGill University, those who were born blind scored significantly higher than those who lost their sight later in life.
"What this tells us is that there is plasticity in the brain," says Dr. Zatorre. "That is, when we're young we can actually change around the way neurons work, and reorganize brain function to suit our survival needs. But as we get older, the brain becomes more or less fixed in terms of sensory perception."
Even when tested with one ear plugged in, blind people scored well. This study evidences that one sense can compensate for another.

According to a study conducted at the University of Montreal, blindness does not enhance a person’s sense of smell. Rather, those with vision loss will usually pay more attention to their perception of fragrances. The smell of freshly brewed coffee for example, will cause a sighted person to locate the source with their eyes. A blind person however, will use this smell to gain information about their surroundings.

A person with vision loss, does not have a superior ability to taste food. Rather, unsighted individuals are usually more alert to the different flavours in their mouth. Consequently, dining out experiences often produces feelings of fear, surprise, disgust or delight. A blind person, only has the smell and a few descriptive words to indicate what their meal will taste like.

Blindness does not augment the other senses. Such a phenomenon, would result in sensory overload! As those with vision loss depend on touching, hearing, smelling and tasting the world around them, these senses usually improve over time.

The boy who cried Wolf

When people continuously lie to you, it's hard to believe them, even when they may be telling the truth. An ex-boyfriend, Mr X I'll call him, rang me last night. He wanted to catch up this Saturday morning. He promised that he would be honest to me from now on. Trouble is, how can you trust someone when they've lied to you so many times before? It's like the boy who cried wolf. I'm refusing to catch up with Mr X again, until he can prove he is telling the truth.

When I researched the psychology of lying, I found some disturbing news. DePaulo and her colleagues (1996), discovered that most people lie once or twice a day. According to this study, we lie in approximately a fifth of our social interactions that last ten or more minutes. Research shows that dating couples lie in about a third of their interactions.

So it seems lying is pretty common in our society. That doesn't make it right though. I admit I've lied before, but only when I felt I had no other option or I wanted to protect a loved one. I know it was still wrong of me. I try my best to be honest, because straying from the truth ruins relationships and betrays trust.
Guess what? A friend just rang me and asked if I wanted to catch up for brunch tomorrow morning. I'm so glad I have other plans now!
Cheers!
Bird's Eye

Hi there

Wow, it’s been such a long time since I last wrote here. So much has happened. The last few months have been full of drama.

I’m feeling a bit out of sorts at the moment. Oh well, I guess we all have ups and downs in life. I'm going to focus on thinking positively. I'll be proactive in raising my spirits.

Research shows that keeping our mind active, is critical to our health and well-being. Idleness often leads to boredom and depression. It’s often hard for us to be proactive and motivated when we are feeling gloomy. In my experience however, pushing ourselves to achieve goals, improves our self-esteem and elevates our mood.

Mental stimulation improves brain functioning. In fact, research shows that mental activity, helps to protect against cognitive decline. This is also true for physical exercise. I often find that riding on my exercise bike while listening to an audio book, significantly improves my state of mind.

Connecting with others, is another important factor in helping to overcome our blues. It’s easy to shut everyone out and allow misery to overwhelm us. While we may need a bit of space for a while, isolating ourselves for too long, often accentuates our problems. Interacting with others, helps us to keep things in perspective, and realize that we are not alone. If we make an effort to be friendly and social, it will help to distract our brain from negative thoughts. Others will also tend to like us more.

A friend once told me a story about a man who was very selfish and unfriendly. His primary ambition was to own his own home and have a swimming pool. He achieved his dream by the age of thirty. One day, he dived in to his pool at the shallow end. He hit his head and was paralysed. He subsequently became a very angry, bitter and lonely man. This story highlights how being self-obsessed, often leads to unhappiness.

 Setting achievable goals, is a crucial step in improving self-esteem and well-being. Earlier this year, I broke up with my boyfriend and was feeling a bit lonely. I wanted to make more friends. I therefore decided to set up a social group. Achieving this goal, has helped me enormously. I’m meeting new people and broadening my social circle. I’m also growing in confidence.

Today, I’ve been identifying goals I want to achieve in the near future. I’ve decided that if I don’t get the job I’ve recently applied for, I’m going to study massage or something like that. I love writing, but it’s hard to make a career out of it.

 I also want to keep Eye Think up to date. I’ve been very slack with it. I need to advertise this blog, because it would be great to get some discussion going.

I feel better already! And guess what? I’ve finished all my washing today! It feels good to have an empty basket. Ok, that’s sad. I’m getting excited about house work! I really need to get out more.

Ok, well I’m going to go now. I’ll be back soon!

An Inspirational quote

"It is not intelligence alone that brings success, but also the drive to succeed, the commitment to work hard, and the courage to believe in yourself. Know that your dreams must come from your heart's deepest desires. Only then will the barriers come down before you. To know your heart, you must know yourself. You are who you decide to be, not who other people decide for you to be. Be noble. Stand on the higher ground. Create your life and then go out and live it."
---
Believing in ourselves, is not always easy. Events, other people and even our own inhibitions, can obstruct our path to inner peace and happiness. We need to hold on to that strength within us, and be the best person we can be. We are all amazing creations of God. We have the right to be happy; to be loved; to be successful in life. We just need to believe in ourselves and our dreams. With hard work and commitment, we'll get there in the end!

Happy Valentine's Day!

When searching the net for info on how Valentine’s Day began, I discovered that there’s no straightforward answer! There seems to be several legends concerning the roots of Valentine’s Day.

According to one legend, a priest called Valentine, served in Rome during the third century. Emperor Claudius II discovered that single men made better soldiers than those who were married. He consequently outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine saw the injustice of this decree, and refused to abide by it. He thus continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Claudius discovered Valentine’s defiance, he ordered the priest to be put to death.

One bizarre story I read on the net, was about a man called Valentine, who was betrayed by his beloved. To show how much she meant to him, he cut out his heart and sent it to her in the post – still beating!

Another legend suggests that Valentine fell in love with his jailor’s daughter. She visited him throughout his confinement. Prior to his death, Valentine sent the girl a letter and signed it “from your Valentine”. He was the first to use this greeting.

Oh how sweet! I don’t know how much truth lies in these legends, if any at all. But I found it interesting to look up about the origins of Valentine’s Day.

Have you heard any other legends regarding how Valentine’s Day began?
Happy Valentine's Day!!
Bird’s Eye

Here's a joke!

Lol, my brother sent me this joke and I thought it was funny!
A Spanish teacher was explaining to her class that in Spanish, unlike English, nouns are
Designated as either masculine or feminine 'House' for instance, is feminine: 'la casa.'
'Pencil,' however, is masculine: 'el lapiz.'

A student asked, 'What gender is 'computer'?'

Instead of giving the answer, the teacher split the class into two groups, male and female,
and asked them to decide for themselves whether computer' should be a masculine or a
feminine noun. Each group was asked to give four reasons for its recommendation.

The men's group decided that 'computer' should definitely be of the feminine
gender ('la computadora'), because:

1. No one but their creator understands their internal logic;

2. The native language they use to communicate with other computers is incomprehensible to
everyone else;

3. Even the smallest mistakes are stored in long term memory for possible later retrieval;
and

4. As soon as you make a commitment to one, you find yourself spending half your paycheck
on accessories for it.

(THIS GETS BETTER!)

The women's group, however, concluded that computers should be Masculine ('el
computador'), because:

1. In order to do anything with them, you have to turn them on;

2. They have a lot of data but still can't think for themselves;

3. They are supposed to help you solve problems, but half the time they ARE the problem;
and

4. As soon as you commit to one, you realize that if you had waited a little longer, you
could have gotten a better model.

The women won!

Cheers!
Bird’s Eye

The Importance of Being Happy

I was conversing with a lady in the shopping center the other day. she was lamenting the fact that I was blind. "It must be so hard," she kept repeating throughout the conversation. "I don't know how you do it, I really don't. It must be so hard."
While the lady was well-meaning, I don't think she realizes that showing pity to others can sometimes be annoying. While my life is challenging at times, it's a matter of getting on with things and making the best of it. I prefer to look on the positive side of life and try to be happy within myself. I am lucky in many ways. I want to appreciate and celebrate the blessings, rather than dwell on the negative aspects.

I try to convey this notion to the lady, butI am not sure whether she understood. I think that maybe some people may not believe they can cope in a certain situation until it happens to them. I believe when it comes to the crunch, most people would try to get on with their life, rather than giving up and saying that it is all too hard.

I want to try my best to make the most of life and be as happy as I can be - no matter what happens!

Cheers!
Bird's Eye

Writer's Block

Ok. I'm sitting at the computer, wanting to write, but my mind is a little fuzzy at the moment! Today, I'll blame it on the weather! It's 40 degrees out there, and yes, I do have the Air con on. But still!

These days, I don't experience "Writer's block" as much as I used to. I believe it's very true that practice is the only way to help us get better. This is true for anything. I asked a friend of mine who is a really good guitar player, how he got to that level. He replied that unfortunately, there is no easy way of getting around it; you just have to practice, practice, and practice. I have practice my cords a bit on the guitar, but I have a long way to go before I'll be able to play a proper song! As they say, however, perseverance wins the day! If I keep at it, I should get there in the end!
Techniques for overcoming writer’s block

In my experience, some ways to overcome writer’s block are:
• Change of scenery
The beauty of a laptop is that it’s portable. I like working in cafes and ordering a large Latte. For me, it makes the experience of writing less isolating and more fun.
• Go for a walk
When feeling frustrated, I find it helpful to go for a walk or do exercise of some kind. It releases the tension and clears the mind!
• Put some music on
I find music enjoyable to listen to in the background. Loud music can be distracting. Soft music, however, can help me feel relaxed and happy.
• Don’t be too critical
I find being very negative towards my own work, kills any motivation to write. I need to try and not be too critical and just get it out of my system! I can always edit it later.
• Read a lot
I find reading helps with motivation. If I read a good book, I think “wow, I would so love to be able to write well too”.
Well these are only a couple of tips that have often worked for me. If you have any handy hints to share, I would love to hear from you!

Cheers!
Bird’s Eye

Meeting New People

Want to make new friends but feel shy around strangers? You are not alone. This article discusses handy hints to conquer the nerves and begin socializing.

One of my goals this year is to make more friends. I am often shy around strangers and unsure of how to initiate conversation. This isn’t helped by the fact that I am blind and therefore cannot see the person’s face.

To overcome my uncertainty, I have found it helpful to imagine the person I am talking to is an old friend. When I feel relaxed, I find it easier to be myself. I have learnt over the years, that one of the biggest mistakes is to orchestrate personality. If we tailor our persona to our audience, then people will find it difficult to get to know our true self. We may appear to be insincere or wishy-washy.

The concept of the self
According to Carl Rogers, the concept of the self is “the organized set of characteristics that the individual perceives as peculiar to himself/herself”. (Ryckmann, R.M. 1993, Theories of personality (5th Ed.) California: Brooks/Cole Publishing Co. p. 106) Rogers believes that our self-concept influences how we perceive ourselves and our environment. We have a healthy sense of self, if it coincides with our experiences, thoughts and behavior. Conversely, when we convey a self-concept that contradicts our true feelings - just to be accepted by others, we are repressing our true selves. This may lead to low self esteem, anxiety and confusion, as we do not consider our true self to be “good enough”.
Limiting our potential
Carl Rogers uses the term "incongruence" to describe the chasm between our “perceived self” and our “true self”. This inconsistency often causes considerable anxiety and can even lead to mental illness. It therefore limits our ability to reach self-fulfillment and achieve our dreams.

I have struggled with self-identity throughout my life. Self-discovery is an ongoing journey of trying to distinguish between who I actually am, who I want to be and the person that others see. As a teenager, I experienced significant anxiety and felt distant from my real self. These days, however, I feel much more at peace with myself. I do experience a degree of anxiety at times but, overall, I feel much happier within myself. I am showing others the real me, warts and all!

Conquering the nerves
For some of us, socializing among strangers is not always easy. A person once told me, that when you are talking to someone you don’t know, focus not on how self-conscious you feel, but, rather, on the happiness you experience when you have broadened your friendship circle. I believe this to be good advice and something I try to remind myself of, when I am in those situations. People often do not care as much as we may think, about the way we speak, how we dress, or what we say. At the end of the day, we are all human and life is not a dress rehearsal!

Showing interest in others
Most of us, at one time, have been unlucky enough to be seated next to a person, who seems only interested in him or herself! They conduct a monologue, during which all that they require us to do is nod occasionally and utter some phrases of agreement. I believe that limiting our conversation to ourselves is not an effective way to make friends. Instead, we should try to be sincerely interested in what the other is saying and genuinely interact with them.

We can convey interest by asking questions in a non-invasive manner. It is a good idea if we ask questions that interest us, that help us to find out more about the other and that require more than a "yes" or "no" response.

If sighted, we should try to convey interest in the other, by looking the person in the eye. If we are blind, we should try to turn our head to look in the direction of the speaker. We should try to listen to what the other is saying and respond to it if we can.

Body language
Reading body language is important in communication. It can help us interact with others in a more meaningful way and assist in avoiding misunderstanding. Additionally, interpreting body language can increase our dating and friendship prospects.

When interacting with someone, try to pick up subtle signals. How are they standing? What tone of voice are they using? What facial expression are they wearing?

For a blind person, reading non-verbal signals can be more difficult, but not impossible. We need to pay more attention to how the person speaks, where their voice is coming from, and any additional sounds that may indicate what mood they are in. If the person you are conversing with, for example, is fiddling, averting their face, or sounding vague, then maybe we are getting a bit boring! When we are able to discern a person’s subtleties, we have more of an understanding regarding the subjects that interest them and what type of questions to ask.

Open body language
Conveying openness is important when making friends. Some ways we can make ourselves more approachable include:

· putting our arms by our sides, rather than crossing them,

· facing our palms outward,

· stretching out our legs without crossing them,

· having our elbows away from our body,

· leaning forward to show our interest,

· maintaining a straight posture.

Finding common ground
When conversing with a stranger, we should try to identify common ground. This can be very difficult sometimes, particularly when we are barely acquainted with them. If we try to be fully engaged in the conversation and use all our senses, then, hopefully, we shall soon discover a topic we both find interesting.

Developing new friendships can help us to become a happier, more outgoing and well-rounded person. I have found that meeting new people requires venturing out of my comfort zone. This step can be challenging at times - and even nerve wracking! Making the effort, however, is usually very worthwhile.

Seeking And Achieving Our Dreams

Hey There!
I hope everyone has had a great Christmas and New Year! I certainly have!

Wow, it's hard to believe it's 2011 already! Have you set any goals for this year? The key factor in achieving goals is our motivation.

What is motivation?
Motivation can often bridge the gap between what needs to be done and what is not being done. Motivation may include internal or external forces. When setting personal goals, however, it is important that we are emotionally and mentally invested in achieving them.

Some tips to stay motivated
It is important that we define our own version of success and make sure that the goals we set come from our heart. Reflecting upon the reasons we want to succeed can also be helpful.

When setting our goals, we should make sure that they are realistic, practical and worthwhile. Some people find it helpful to visualize future successes and imagine the sense of fulfillment they will experience when achieving their dreams. Another strategy that some people employ is mapping out steps involved in reaching each goal.

It is important that we remind ourselves, daily, what we are striving to achieve. Affirming ourselves regularly and being flexible in our approach, often assists in sustaining our motivation. Another contributing factor in motivation is our ability to develop strategies, to overcome challenges that may arise.

Some people find it helpful to set targets and plan the amount of time they intend to devote to each task. Remaining focused is vital, as distractions will often hinder our progress. Some people will reward themselves when they have accomplished a task. This may include buying something, or watching a favourite show.

Empowering ourselves
Personal empowerment usually enhances the quality of our relationships, career and life in general. Our self-image is often perceived by others through subtle cues such as body language and demeanour. People will tend to treat us accordingly. If we lack confidence, for example, we may encounter some people who treat us with aggression or disrespect. When we are empowered and strong, we tend to give off a confident vibe and people will usually respond positively to this.

When we are not empowered, we tend to seek validation from external sources. This can lead some people to believe that we are insecure, needy and / or incompetent. If we believe in ourselves, others often will do likewise. If we love and respect ourselves and others, we will encourage reciprocation.

Tips on empowering ourselves
It is important for us to decide the person we want to be and how we want to live our life. One approach that some of us may find helpful, is identifying our strengths and weaknesses. Making a conscious effort to improve our abilities is another significant factor in this process. It is important to acknowledge, to ourselves, our successes up to date. We should view our mistakes as learning experiences.

Developing self-esteem
Self-esteem is the degree to which we like ourselves. Low self-esteem means that we do not like ourselves and feel inferior to others. Having a negative self-image can lead to feelings of depression, anxiety and misery. It can affect the way we relate to others and how comfortable we feel in social gatherings.

A healthy level of self-esteem means that we accept who we are and believe that we are equal to everyone else. Having a positive self-image assists in building confidence, happiness and inner peace. People who believe they are okay tend to be more social, outgoing and successful.

Personal experience has taught me, that maintaining a positive internal dialogue is important, when helping to boost self-esteem and confidence. It is difficult to accept ourselves, if we are constantly fighting against a tide of negativity. It is important to be kind to ourselves, without going over the top. Over-confidence can be distasteful and obstructive.

I have also learnt throughout my life, that self-esteem and confidence often grow with maturity. When I was younger, I was much more shy and insecure. I projected my inner beliefs on to others, doubting that others could love and accept me. My blindness and hearing impairment, accentuated my sense of inferiority. Over time, however, I have learnt that, while I am far from perfect, I am as okay as the next person. My disabilities have helped to strengthen my character and provided me with a unique perception of life.

Perseverance wins the day
Throughout life we all inevitably encounter hurdles and barriers. We may receive negative feedback from others, or perhaps it is our self who prevents us from pursuing our dreams. It is important to not give up. If one approach proves ineffective, then try another. We should try different avenues until we find the one which works.

Throughout my life, I have sometimes encountered people who lack confidence in my abilities. This is particularly the case when trying to gain employment. Employers are often quick to dismiss blind people as being unproductive and incapable. Blind people, however, can often be equally skilled and intelligent as their sighted peers. Of course, there are limitations in the type of employment blind people are suited for. They cannot, for example, be a bus driver! But it is important to focus on what abilities people have, rather than discount them because of their impairments. A person once told me, that when someone tells you that you can’t, take the “t” away and you “can”!

Thinking outside the square
Living life as a blind person often requires creative thinking. When I was a kid, for example, I wanted to ride my bike, like my siblings. To achieve this goal, I rode around the clothes line, holding on to a rope that was tied to the corner of one of the arms. With this rope to guide me, I soon wore a track in the grass around the clothes line! My Dad constructed a wooden ramp, so I could also do jumps. In later years, I received a tandem bike for Christmas and rode with family members or friends.

When making our New Year’s resolutions, we should remember that “Where there’s a will, there’s a way”! If we truly want to achieve our goals, we'll get there in the end. Things may not turn out exactly how we expect but as long as we get out there and give it our best shot, we'll be rewarded in the end!

Cheers!
Bird's Eye

False Alarm!

Ever had a false alarm? My partner and I had one this morning. We were entering the shopping center, when an alarm boomed through the building. Since those around us weren't making a fuss, we didn’t feel concerned and continued on our way through the center.

“It’s probably a security alarm,” we surmised.

A few moments later, a lady intercepted us and advised us to exit the building as a fire alarm was sounding. I was surprised, as it didn't sound like previous fire alarms I had heard. My partner agreed.

We joined a small crowd outside the doors. Everyone seemed a bit confused, not sure what was going on. Was there a fire? Should we be worried? The funny thing was, there were still quite a few people wandering casually through the stores. They sure didn’t seem too concerned! Fortunately, the alarm eventually ceased. It turned out that burnt toast from a cafe was the culprit!

I believe that today’s incident highlights the fact that all fire alarms should sound the same, so that blind/vision impaired people are aware of what the alarm means. In addition, I believe an announcement should be made over the speaker system, alerting everyone to the presence of a fire. What if a blind person is wandering around one day, unnoticed by others others, oblivious to any fire threat?

Would love to hear your thoughts/experiences regarding this topic!

Hope you have a great weekend!

Cheers!

Bird’s Eye   

No two dogs are the same

My partner and I went to a music show today, accompanied by our three dogs. We had a great time, though navigating through the crowd proved challenging. Fortunately a kind man assisted us with orientation.

 I have a four-year-old seeing-eye dog. My partner has a ten-year-old bitch and an 11-week-old pup that is currently in training.

Dogs are very much like our kids. Every dog is unique. Studies reveal that much of what is known about human personality types is also applicable to the study of dog behavior. Behavioral characteristics most commonly found in dogs include: playfulness, acuriosity/fearlessness, desire to chase, sociability and aggressiveness.

While off harness, my dog loves to play. She has a favorite teddy, which she carries around in her mouth. Usually toys are not safe around my dog, as she tends to destroy most of them. Not this teddy, however! It’s still intact and relatively unscathed!

 Contrary to popular belief, the “play drive” is not an inherent part of every dog’s genetic makeup. Activities such as jumping, stalking, wrestling and pouncing are behaviors learnt by wolves to enhance survival skills. Domesticated dogs on the other hand, are usually separated from their litter and mother before the age when such skills are acquired. The new pack is then responsible for any teaching that occurs with the puppies.

Dogs differ in their management of their defense drive, depending on their personality. Highly anxious and timid dogs may react to the presence of a threat by cowering and urinating. Often fearfulness in dogs is a reflection of how they were raised as puppies. Dogs that spend the first few months of their life in kennels with minimal human contact may always remain timid.

My dog is far from timid. Indeed, she is very social. Sometimes she’s a bit too friendly! A male friend of mine sometimes gets a bit paranoid, as when my dog is off duty, she will often sniff him in the crutch region! Apparently this is because dogs sniff each others’ bottoms for the scent of the anal gland, so they can recognize each other.

 Dogs also differ in the extent to which they are driven by food. Pack orientated breeds are typically highly motivated by food. Food is certainly my dog’s greatest passion. Give her a biscuit and she will be your friend for life!

Dogs which are deemed difficult to train, however, usually possess a low food drive. For these types of dogs, it is necessary for the trainer to adopt alternative forms of motivators.

When building a bond with a dog, it is important to invest time in getting to know their individual personality. Like people, each dog has their quirky ways. My dog, for example, loves to dive in to water, yet she hates to walk in the rain or step in puddles! Figure that one out! Understanding your dog may prove a long and at times frustrating journey, but it will be worth it in the end. Though it has been challenging at times, getting a dog to guide me around has been one of the best decisions I have made. My dog is not only my eyes, but my best friend and faithful companion too!

Until next time!

Cheers!

Bird’s Eye   

Overcoming blind barriers

I heard a story today that both shocked and disturbed me. It was said that a religious family shut their blind daughter away in her room for many years. Apparently this was due to their beliefs that blindness was degrading and shameful. It wasn’t until a doctor persuaded the parents to seek assistance from Guide dogs that the girl eventually began to branch out and become fully independent. Today she has a guide dog and has moved out from her family home.

Wow! It’s amazing how a dog can literally change a person’s life! Who knows where this blind lady would be now, if this doctor hadn’t spoken to her parents about the Guide dogs?

Such a scenario represents an extreme case. It highlights, however, the importance of overcoming barriers of fear, shame and ignorance. A teacher at high school once told me that my parents probably harbored a lot of anger and resentment towards me, because of the fact that I was blind. At the time, I internalized her words and felt depressed. I have since realized that her assumptions were unfounded and untrue.

As blind/vision impaired people, we can do many things; we just need to get out there and give it a go! It's important for us to believe in ourselves, and think outside the square! We are all here for a reason. Moping around home is not going to help us fulfill our purpose in life!

I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic!
Hope to hear from you!
Cheers!
Bird’s Eye

I was listening to the radio last night, when I heard a story that touched my heart. An Asian man living with AIDS described his sense of rejection and isolation throughout his illness. Even his family and friends were turning away from him! Many sufferers of HIV are subjected to stigmatization. The route of this problem primarily stems from fear, shame and denial.

The story had an uplifting turn, however, as the man revealed his victory over others’ negativity. He learnt to be happy in spite of his illness. In fact, overcoming his despair helped him to grow as a person and change his perspective on life.

Hearing this man’s testimony of courage and strength inspired me deeply. Facing such adverse circumstances, would be anyone’s worst nightmare! But it also got me thinking how many of us are labeled and stigmatized as a result of others’ misconceptions. Blind people, for example, are often categorized as being helpless, burdensome or incapable. It thus makes it more difficult for people who are blind/vision impaired, to integrate in to mainstream community.

As a blind person myself, I try not to be controlled by others’ opinion of me. Throughout my life, I want to try to be the best person I can be. If people reject me, then that’s their problem. I only want to be friends with those who are open-minded, genuine and can see the person beneath the disability.

Am looking forward to hearing from you!
Cheers!
Bird’s Eye

Colour blindness

The other day, I was chatting with friends about colour blindness. A girl made a light hearted remark about a guy who seemed to be colour blind, as his clothes were uncoordinated!

Subsequent to our discussion, I browsed the internet for information regarding colour blindness. I discovered that this vision disability is rare in females. This is due to the fact that the gene for colour vision is on the X chromosome. As females have two X chromosomes, when one is deficient, the other compensates. Only one in 200+ girls is affected by this disability, whereas 5 to 8% of males are colour blind. So girls, maybe we shouldn’t be so hard on our boyfriends about their fashion sense!

We are all colour defective at birth. Males who lack colour vision, inherit their deficiency from their mother, who is not colour blind.

Bulls are colour blind. Their anger is caused by the motion of a waving red flag, rather than the colour itself.

Hmmm, learn something new every day! Maybe this is common knowledge to most people, but I found it interesting.

Talking about colours, I often get asked “how do you know what colour your clothes are?” I am totally blind, so I guess this is a fair enough question from a sighted person, as my clothes are usually colour coordinated. In response to the question, I explain that I ask whoever I’m shopping with, to describe the colour and style of the clothes. I make sure that each piece of clothing I purchase, feels different in some way from my other clothing. If it is not distinctive, I will cut the label in a certain way to identify it. I am lucky to have sisters who are up with the latest fashion, so I often ask their advice about clothes!

What are your thoughts about clothes and fashion? Do you spend ages in the morning, deciding what to wear and making yourself up? Or do you just chuck anything on and are not too fussed about appearance?

Am looking forward to hearing from you!

Cheers!

Bird’s Eye

Lack of understanding

How are you going?

 I've been neglecting my blog a bit lately!

Today I want to raise the topic of understanding, or rather, the lack of it. Throughout my years of being blind, I've discovered that there is a lack of understanding that exists regarding people who are blind/vision impaired. I don't want to complain or criticise anyone here; on the contrary, I've met many kind and well meaning people throughout my daily travels. Many people, however, seem uncertain of how to interact with people who are blind or vision impaired. For example, they may be over zealous in their efforts to help you, believing that you are a poor helpless being who needs to have your shoelace tied. One time I was sitting on the bus when a lady randomly pressed a crunchy bar in to my hand.

“Here,” she said. “Eat this.”

Then evidently noting the sealed wrapper, she reached over and proceeded to open it! I felt a bit awkward, as I didn't want to offend the elderly lady, but at the same time, there was no way I was going to consume the crunchy bar that had come from God knows where!

Conversely, some members of the public are more of a hindrance than a help. On many occasions, I've asked someone for directions.

“Oh, over there love, “they would say vaguely.

“Sorry I’m blind, would you mind telling me which direction it is?” I would ask, my seeing-eye dog growing increasingly impatient at my side.

“Over to the left, “and before I could utter another word, they would bustle off.

After walking for some time, I'd discover that I was heading in the completely wrong direction!

And then you get those who seem reluctant to communicate with you at all. The silent waitress/waiter who places a latte half a meter away from you on the table and then vanishes without a word. Or people who talk through you to your sighted companion.

“So what does she want?”

“Hello, I am here you know!” I want to say. “I don’t bite!”

I believe that there needs to be more open communication between those who are blind/vision impaired, and those who are not. Hopefully this will result in increased understanding and less frustration for everyone.

Well, now that I’ve got that out of my system, do you have any funny/annoying stories to share? Whether you have a disability or not, I would be interested to hear your experiences!

Hope you have a great weekend people!

Cheers!

Bird’s Eye     

Crack Ups!

Want a laugh? Here are some jokes to crack you up!

A little boy sitting in class puts his hand up and the teacher says, “Yes Johnny? Can I help you?”

Little Johnny replies, “Miss, miss, I really need to go to the toilet quickly.”

The teacher says to little Johnny, “Yes Johnny, but before you go, could you please sing me the alphabet?”

Little Johnny starts singing the alphabet. “A b c d e f g, h i j k l m n o, q r s t u v w x y z. Now may I go to the toilet miss?”

The teacher replies, “Before you go, what happened to the p?”

Little Johnny says, “The p is running down my leg Miss, because I’m really busting!”

Has anyone heard that Julia Gillard has been banned from Mc Donald’s stores? Legislation states that there can only be one red headed clown in the store at one time.

A man and a woman go to the Air show every year. Each time, the man says, “Anna, can we ride the aeroplane that goes up in the air, circles the show, and then comes back down?”

The woman always replies, “We don’t need to ride those planes, because it costs too much, and at the end of the day, ten dollars is ten dollars and that money could be better spent elsewhere.”

One year, Tom, the pilot, says, “Larry, I always hear you say that you want to ride   my aeroplane and I always hear Anna whining that it is too expensive. I’ll make a deal with you. If I do all the flips and tricks with you there with me, and you don’t say a word, I will give you the ride for free.

Anna and Larry discussed it and decided they would take the deal. They took off in to the air and Tom performed all his flips and tricks.

Afterwards Tom says, “Larry I was sure you would say something after the first flip, but you didn’t.

Larry replies, “I was going to say something when Anna fell out, but ten dollars is ten dollars!”

An elderly man and his wife woke up in bed one morning. The elderly man was keen for a bit with his wife, but was having trouble standing up. Then, all of a sudden, he jumped out of bed, got dressed and was on his way out the front door.

His wife asked, “Where are you going?”

The husband replied, “Off to the doctors to get some of that Viagra stuff.”

Then his wife also jumped out of bed and got dressed.

The husband asked, “Why are you getting up and getting dressed so quickly?”

She said, “I’m off to the doctors too, to get a tetanus shot, because I’ll need it if you come anywhere near me with that rusty old thing.”

A woman said to her husband, “I’ve been thinking about getting breast implants to have larger breasts.”

Her husband replied, “Have you tried wearing a tighter top to push them together?”

His wife asked, “Will that work?”

Her husband replied, “It worked with your bottom, didn’t it?”

A hip young man goes out and buys one of the best cars available: a 2010 Ferrari F40. It is one of the best and most expensive cars in the world, and sets him back $1.2m. He takes it for a spin and, while doing so, stops at a red light. An old man in a MG convertible (both looking about ninety years old), pulls up next to him. The old man looks over the sleek, shiny surface of the car and asks, “What kind of car you got there, sonny?”

The young man replies, “A 2010 Ferrari. It costs $1.2m.”

“That’s a lot of money,” says the old man, shocked. “Why does it cost so much?”

“Because this car can reach the top speed of 320km per hour,” the cool dodo states proudly.

The elderly man asks, “Do you mind if I have a look inside?”

“Sure,” the owner replies.

So the old man pokes his head in the window and looks around. Then he leans back in to his MG convertible, the old man says, “That’s a pretty nice car alright!”

Just then, the lights change to green, so the young man decides to show the old man what his car can do. He puts his pedal to the metal, and within 30 seconds the speedometer is reading 320kmph.

Suddenly, he notices a dot in his rear view mirror. It seems to be getting closer. He slows down to see what it could be, and suddenly, whoosh! Something whips by him, going much faster!

“What an earth could be going faster than my Ferrari?” The young man asks himself.

Then, ahead of him, he sees a dot coming towards him. Whoosh! It goes by again, heading the opposite direction! And, it almost looked like the old man in the MG convertible!

“Couldn’t be!” thinks the guy. “How could a MG convertible outrun a Ferrari?”

Again, he sees a dot in his rear view mirror! Whoosh!

Ka-bbbblammmm! It ploughs in to the back of his car, demolishing the rear end. The young man jumps out, and good grief! It is the old man! Of course, the old man is seriously injured. He runs up to the dying man and says, “You’re badly hurt. Is there anything I can do for you?”

The old man groans and replies, “Yes. Unhook my suspenders from your side-view mirror!”       

Hope you enjoyed those jokes! If you would like to post any more, please feel free!

Until next time!

Cheers!

Bird’s Eye

Walking Back to Happiness!

Health professionals are encouraging us to walk back to happiness. Research shows that regular walking promotes overall mental, physical and emotional well-being.
 
Regular walking improves our mind. Research indicates that stepping out regularly reduces the likelihood of developing a mental impairment - including dementia. A recent study demonstrated that female nurses over the age of 70, who walked at least 6 hours per week, demonstrated a higher level of cognitive functioning than women who engaged in minimal physical activity. Research conducted at the University of Western Australia also revealed improvements in mental functioning, as a result of walking for 15 minutes, 3 times a week.
 
 Moving about on foot improves our mental well-being, by easing tension and helping us to relax. Research shows that the increase in blood flow to the heart and brain produced by regular exercise strengthens brain cells and lowers stress. The rhythm of walking is another contributing factor, studies indicate. The right-left brain connection is stimulated when we swing our arms in opposition to our legs, producing a calming effect on our overall state of mind.

 Walking elevates overall mood. The act of walking for 30 minutes enhances our general sense of well-being, regardless of whether we are outdoors - or even watching television as we walk on the treadmill.
 
When we walk, natural”happy drugs” known as endorphins are released in the body. Although research shows that walking at an increased pace will intensify the effects gained from the exercise, moving more slowly is still very beneficial.

Walking can promote emotional well-being by enhancing our self-esteem and confidence. Our body shape and fitness level will benefit from regularly engaging in this type of exercise. Investing at least 30 minutes a day in brisk walking will assist in reducing body fat, studies show. To prevent over-exertion of the body, walkers should ensure that they are still able to talk, but not sing, while walking – although their speech may be slightly breathless.

Walking improves well-being by reducing isolation and fostering social networks. We have a greater opportunity to meet people when we travel by foot, rather than drive to our destination. Walking in the company of others - family, friends or club members - can also help strengthen relationships. Engaging in this type of activity is socially inclusive and encourages community connectedness.
 
Many health professionals promote regular walking as a natural means of combating daily blues. In some cases of mild to moderate depression, incorporating brisk walking in our daily routine can prove as effective as medication. While our technological gadgets encourage us to become “couch potatoes”, it is vital for our physical, mental and emotional health that we maintain an active lifestyle. Walking is the simplest, least expensive and most rewarding means of achieving this goal.