Category: Daily Living
There is so many things I want to learn to d with out having to get someone to help me. I can hang a picture but cant tell if its level or centered right. Put on a door lock myself. I know how to use a screw gun but not sure what to do with the lock. Also, take the vacuum apart to completely clean it and put it back together. That is just some things. So if any of you have learned how to do this stuff and more pass your advice along. I hate relying on others when I know I can do it myself if I knew how.
I can do many things.
How I learned, is by trying them out.
Example, the vacuum. feel it and see what parts come off just buy twisting.
Next, get a Philips screw driver and remove the screws.
Do it in such a way that you go slow, so you remember how it goes, and as you remove something feel it and before taking it all the way off, see how it fits.
I like to use a cup, or bowl for screws.
Most pictures, is you feel on the back, have hangers. These hangers have notches, so basicly using the middle notch makes your picture swing level.
Check it out. Feel on the back.
That also tells you your picture is right side up.
A task doneslowly, and careful until you understand how it works, is how you learn it.
You'll have to cuss some, so. Lol Enjoy.
I am determined to get independent as possible. After living ing a controlled abusive situation for years and now that I am living in my own place, there is so much I want to learn so anything any of you can suggest to make it easier, that will be great. I want to live my life as independent as I can.
Post 2's advice is very good. Try out things for yourself but don't be afraid to ask for help sometimes. None of us can do everything. Also, don't be afraid of screwing something up the first time you try it.
Maybe the thing that no one ever tells you about independence is this: Sometimes, no matter how good you are, there are going to be disasters. Take this one as a for instance. When I lived in Manhattan, I had a job about three blocks away from me so I ended up walking home from lunch and going back to work a lot. I used to love cold coffee. I had a stovetop old-fashioned percolator that I sometimes kept in the fridge so I could drink what was left over cold. I also had a huge glass jar of chocolate syrup in my fridge that I used to make chocolate milk. Well, one day at lunch when I took the cold coffee out of the fridge, it felt heavier than usual. Suddenly there was a crash. Turned out the jar of syrup was attached somehow to the side of the pot. Needless to say it smashed all over my ceramic kitchen floor. And also needless to say, I was not elated. I may be kinky at times, but I am decidedly not into rolling around on a kitchen floor in a mess of chocolate syrup and shattered glass fragments. Realizing what a disaster I had created and that I'd have to clean it up, I started screaming every curse word I could possibly think of at the top of my lungs. This must've gone on for about five minutes or so, so it was a good thing I was alone. Then realizing that I wasn't a magician and that the curse words were really not creating anything close to magic, I decided I'd better clean it up unless I wanted an infestation of ants -- or worse. So with a combination of paper towels, much mopping, water and my hands, I managed to get it all cleaned up. I think I'm pretty good, but even I have to admit it was probably a miracle I did it as well as I did. The moral is that again, you'll have moments like those, but the upshot is that you can take a great deal of pride in yourself knowing you can handle them.
Sure, at times you'll need help. Independent is a state of mind sort of.
I say this, because, you have to decide you can do something.
Next, you learn as much about doing it as possible.
Next, you break it sometimes.
Than you fix it.
I'd say the main thing is patients.
You can't do a good job if you are in a hurry, unless it is something you've done many times, and even than, you'll need to just relax.
Your topic made me think of this question.
Suppose you post something you'd like to learn to do.
Example, How do I...
So for Thanksgiving weekend I had company for 3 days and guess what? I had a spaghetti disaster because when we ordered out and the guy arrived with the spaghetti, the bag leaked from the living room into the kitchen. I had to change clothes and also my house slippers were a mess; I threw them out forget washing them. Still don't know if sauce got on the rug will need to find that out from a caregiver who will come in a few weeks. Independence? no matter how long you are living on your own, like they said in other posts, there will be disasters.
I don't think these sorts of things are specific to the blind independent person. I'd say to keep it to a small amount, think about what you are doing, and check it.
Like a bag, it might leak, so you'd want to learn if that is happening over a sink before you carry it someplace else.
Being careful helps a great deal, and using things that help you avoid spills as well.
Containers with locking lids come to mind.
Arranging your refridge so that things are not crowed on shelves, and not near the edges.
Again, this isn't a blind specific thing.
Was carrying the bag from my door. Like it was said by my nephew, the bag was leaking when it was brought. Should have asked the guy to put it on my kitchen table which was right around the corner. Not only did the spaghetti leak but my friend had blue cheese dressing on his hands from the salad. I think too the stuff came in a box and the guy thought it would be easier to hand us the bags. Yuk.
Messy. Smile. I understand.
But, that could have happened to a sighted person as well.
I like the replies that people have posted here and i have to agree that though we can do a lot ourselves there are going to be things we need help with even sighted people can't do everything themselves but it is good to know your limits and knowing you can ask for help when needed though for some of us that is not so easy to do, smiles.