TRAINS AND TRACKS

Yesterday we went to see the NCAA basketball games. We had a wonderful time. I have traveled by bus and trolleys before but they can be tricky. We were going over to board the train after we parked the car. Let me just say now trains unnerved me. We had to walk over the track to board the train. We were getting off at our stop and the floor had a small slop which I forgot about so I flopped on the bottom step. Thank goodness I was still inside the train. Next week I'm going for mobility training with a cane. This is a much needed skill for me since there isn't always going to be someone buy my side. As I have said before, my family and friends have been wonderful watching out of me when we are out and about. A cane will help me get around on trips and at night. I don't do well stepping down steps since I my depth perception is off.



Hearing Associates went to Charlotte NC to support Sherri's Tennessee team in the national championship game. Too bad they lost to Michigan. Frances, Pat, Mark and Sherri.

ZOOM TEXT SHORTCUT KEYS

Zoom Text

http://www.rnib.org.uk/livingwithsightloss/computersphones/usingyourpc/Pages/shortcut_keys.aspx

ZOOMTEXT BY AI SQUARED

Today I receive a great new "toy" the ZOOMTEXT software by AI Squares. Below is a link to the versions offered on Amazon. It is wonderful for low vision, blind and someone who just needs some help seeing their computer text.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=zoomtext&x=12&y=12

WORLD GLAUCOMA WEEK

March Holidays:Save Your Vision Month; World Glaucoma Week, March 6-12; March 20 First Day of Spring

I received this link from VISION AWARE a site I subscribe to. They have some great information. I take 3 different drops twice a day for my glaucoma. The blood vessels behind my eye are abnormal. Ask you doctor what your pressure is when they examine your eyes. Most time they just say they're ok. It should be in the low twenties. When I have my detached retina in 1989 my good eye was 45 when I left the hospital. After my right eye was detached it bottomed out to 6. At that point I couldn't see out of it anyway and was sent to be fitted with a fake or prosthetic eye. My advice is to take care of the vision you do have and get an annual eye exam. I always would check mine in September when school started. Not I have them check every 3 months.

The definition of glaucoma

glaucoma (glaw-KOH-muh)

Group of diseases characterized by increased intraocular pressure resulting in damage to the optic nerve and retinal nerve fibers. A common cause of preventable vision loss. May be treated by prescription drugs or surgery.

COOKING - CHICKEN SOUP

You have to remember to have a great sense of humor in my condition. I contacted the Commission for the Blind a few months ago to see what was available to help me at work. The people I have met are knowledgeable, caring, and compassionate. The Outreach Home Management Instructor Gwen came to my home for a three hour visit training. Now remember I have always been low vision but without any training. My first year in college I was living in another state and contacted the Commission for the Blind for help. All they did was get my a large print ACT test to take which I score was the same. They also recommended I tell my professors the first day of class that I couldn't see the board and I may need them to re-pete what they wrote on the board.

Gwen opened my world to me with tons of helpful suggestions about how to manage in my home with low vision. She asked me did I have trouble recognizing cans in my pantry. At first I said no but I have. First tip is to only keep a manageable about in your pantry so you can find the items. She said to write on an index can what the item is and put it on the can with a rubber-band.

This is was I remembered what I did the first year I lost my right eye. I bought an Emeril's Cookbook for Kids. I thought it would have simple recipes. Children's books have larger font size too. I was making the chicken noodle soup. My youngest son came in with a friend to eat as they sat there eating my oldest son came in the house. Andrew said "good job mom" as he held up the can of tuna fish I put in the soup instead of chicken, I signaled to him to keep quiet. That is the last time I made Tuna Noodle Soup. As I said a humor is a great tool.

Here the recipe:Emeril's First Alphabet Soup
Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse

You can use any small pasta shape for this soup - try orzo and stars, too!

Cook Time:

1 hr 0 min

Level:

Easy

Serves:

10 cups, about 8 to 12 servings

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cups chopped yellow onion
• 1 1/2 cups chopped celery
• 1 1/2 cups sliced carrots
• 2 teaspoons Baby Bam, recipe follows
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 2 quarts low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup alphabet pasta

Directions

Heat the oil in a large, heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, celery, carrots, and Baby Bam, and cook, stirring, over medium-high heat until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the chicken stock, water, pepper, and bay leaf. Stir well and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, for 35 minutes. Add the alphabet pasta and stir well. Simmer until the pasta is cooked through, about 10 minutes.
Using oven mitts or pot holders, remove the pot from the heat. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve.

Baby Bam Seasoning:

3 tablespoons paprika

2 tablespoons salt

2 tablespoons dried parsley

2 teaspoons onion powder

2 teaspoons garlic powder

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon celery salt