A Vision Without Sight

I have a new favorite, totally accessible kitchen gadget.  What is it?  The instant Pot!! Or as I like to call it the Insta-pot.  I ordered the version that has bluetooth capability.  This is not the only option for an accessible instant pot.  I will explain mine then explain how you can make your instant pot accessible if you don't want to spend the extra money on the bluetooth capability. The neat thing is that I can chuck whatever I want in there, start it and very quickly I have fully cooked meats, potatoes, rice, full meals for 4 and its as easy as dumping the ingredients in, putting the lid on, setting and that's it.  It cooks under pressure and heat to fully cook whatever you want and seals in flavors and juices.  Meats come out tender and juicy and everything is cooked through and warm.  The neat thing about the Bluetooth version I have is that I don't need to see the buttons on the pot or see anything on it.  The entire panel is acc...

Today I installed a window unit into my window in my room and it was a lot easier than I thought it was going to be.  I felt the different pieces and thought about how I have seen them before.  I knew what pieces needed to go where but if I didn't I could have used Aira or Be My Eyes apps for assistance.  I screwed in the screws with a screwdriver most of the way and once I get them all in, I tightened them because I knew I would have to line them up.  I took my time and felt the different pieces and figured out what goes where.  It was surprisingly a lot easier than I thought.  I lifted it into the window and it sat in there perfectly with grooves.  I used the weight of the window to hold it in.  I then took the rest of the hardware to screw it into the window sill.  Then before turning it on, i felt around the seams for warm air, i stuffed the insulating into those parts.  It was an incredibly satisfying experience to know I did it wit...

How I Like To Organize My Life To keep it organized I have my own system that I came up with.  This is a combination of techniques and ideas from handfuls of blind people who do this every day and live life in an organized manner.  I have tweaked what I do to work for me, which is what I recommend for you. Take what i have, like it sink in, then tweak if so it fits you best.  No one way is the right way.  That is what is so great about life and learning to do things non visually or with limited vision, is that there are so many different ways to achieve one task, you decide what works and YOU DO YOU! Personally, I love totes .  You know those plastic bins with lids?... yeah those.  I love having things organized and in totes for example, all my hair stuff gets a tote, all my make up is in a tote, all my art supplies get a tote, even though that tote is overflowing and in major need for a bigger one. Because I am low vision, I tend to make things more...

Pardon the dust while I update and improve my blog.  

How can you clean if you cant see the mess? Many people have the misconception that because you cant see that things are messy or dirty that I wont be able to know to clean it or be able to clean it thoroughly.  That couldn't be more wrong.  I believe I get things cleaner than the sighted person. I use my other senses to make sure things are clean.  Here is what I do. Others may have different strategies that work for them and if so, please post a comment!  I use patterns.  What? Yes patterns or repetitive movements.  To clean the counter I use a disinfectant wipe or soapy sponge and do an up and down motion, forward and back, catching the crumbs at the edge of the counter.  I slowly move left or right as I repeat the pattern of forward and back along the counter. Next I go over it with my hands tactically feeling the counter.  If there are any places I forgot, I will clean them. I follow up with a disinfectant wipe because I just touched all ...

“I am only one, but still I am only one.  I cannot do everything but still I can do something.  I will not refuse to do the something I can do.” — Helen Keller