Housework is Dangerous!

I know people have said "I hate housework".  But have you ever heard someone say that "Housework is dangerous"?  I'm not even being sarcastic, as a legally blind person it can get dangerous!

For example, my #1 enemy - the vacuum.  This contraption that's saved many housewives time and energy actually causes dread in me. Thoughts of "what am I going to break today with this" or "what am I going to suck up now" fill my mind as I drag the old Tri Star out.
Yeah I have an old vacuum but it's the only one I've found that can take the beating I give it every week and still live. (Well currently it's out of commission because the rollerhead plug cord is frayed - anyone know how to rewire a plug let me know).
I've tried the newer models, uprights and bagless etc. But they don't last long in the hands of a blind lady.  It was no fun that after my weekly vacuuming I've got to get on the floor with the vacuum and either unclog the pipe of legos, army men, coins, a pencil, or dog hair; or replace a snapped belt because I sucked up a sock, shoelaces, a beach towel and almost ruined Christmas one year when I almost started sucking up the garland on the tree.
There is no peaceful hum of a vacuum here. Take a bag of coins and throw it into a woodchipper - that's what my house sounds like, that or it sounds like a motor gagging and puking. (For lack of better words).

"Well why don't you just go all hardwood and tile? Then you won't need a vacuum." Excellent suggestion....'cept I have problems sweeping too!!
I try to sweep my kitchen every day (keyword "try"). After finishing sweeping on most days, I'd be getting something and drop a lid, spoon, whatever, and being legally blind - once it hits the floor it's "lost". So I'd get on my hands and knees and start doing the patting around for it. Since I'm now a foot away from the floor I notice all the dust, wrappers, hair I'd miss with the broom earlier "Holy Crap!"

Well just yesterday sweeping almost took a lethal turn on me. I was sweeping and noticed the trail of hair clump on the end of the broom (that never shakes off). So I lifted the broom up to pull it off, stuck the handle into the ceiling fan which was on full speed, the fan swung the handle around and slapped me hard on the side of the head! Took a while for the flying stars to dissipate and for me to remember where I was.

Cleaning the bathroom can get dangerous (and expensive). I usually run a hot shallow bath and dump bleach in to get rid of the mildew collecting under the rubber mat. Well I had forgotten the big bottle of bleach up against the side of the tub, got up on the rim of the tub to replace the shower liner. After I was done, I stepped down right on top of the bottle. The pent up force blew the lid off shooting bleach across the bathroom (like mentos in a soda bottle) all over the opposite wall and towel rack. I think it took 3 coats of fresh paint to cover the stain and 3 new towels.

I wish I'd win the lottery so I can just hire someone to do this dangerous work for me :)

It's been a Busy Year

It's 2012 already? Wow time flies...

Last year was pretty busy for me. First there was finishing up College, working on Internship, becoming a U.S. Citizen, Job hunting, home renovations....then just plain old "burn out".

Enjoy this vlog :)

Cool...and Not-So-Cool Products for People with Disabilities

I was wandering around the Internet and came across some inventions and products that I thought were cool....and a few that weren't.

Cool

1. Credit Card for the Blind: Interactive Braille display as well as audio to tell you what's being purchased. Fingerprint I.D. instead of signature. - Good idea! Feel the braille for the purchase list and prices while scanning so no one scams you out of a purchase.

2. Subtitle Glasses for Deaf Moviegoers:The glasses projects the text onto the bottom edge of the glasses to read while watching the movie. - Wonder if these are better than the Rear Window "screens" present in some theaters now? I cannot use those for the text is too small for me.

3. kReader Mobile: The blind person can take a picture of any paper with their cell phone and the App will read it aloud to them. - Great idea, if you can understand spoken language.

4. Tank Chair: A rugged wheelchair that can go anywhere. In the field, snow, down some stairs, and rocky areas. - Great for the outdoors person!

5. Videogame Controller for Disabled: Lets you play with your eyes! LED lights reflect off your eyes and controls the game or mouse. - Great idea! Except for those with Astigmatism LOL.

Not Cool

1. Wearable Cat Ears - Cat ears react to wearer's emotions by reading brainwaves. "the mentally disabled could use these ears to communicate their feelings without facing misunderstanding". - Sorry I'd be misunderstanding you 'cuz I'd be laughing too hard.

2. Wasabi Fire Alarm - Fire alarm that sprays Wasabi "perfume" to wake people. - Sure...burn some toast and now the house stinks and your eyes are watering.

3. Voice to Text Glasses: Read what people are saying to you. Built in microphone and a speech to text program flashes text across the glasses for you to read. - Good concept....but have you SEEN speech to text programs?? (Just turn on the "transcribe video" option on any YouTube video and you'll know what I mean).

3. Honda's Walking Assist Device: For people with weak legs and have a hard time walking. Provides up to 2 hours of walking on a single battery charge. - Can just see the responses now "You want me to strap THAT on my ass?"

4.Talking Glove: An electric glove that can translate ASL gestures into spoken words or text. - For the same reason I don't like the speech to text programs. It's not going to be accurate at all.

5. Camera for Blind: Snap a "photo" and the camera records a 3 second soundbite and displays the photo on a tactile screen to feel the 3D shape of what you took. - Interesting but no...just no.

Makes me wonder if these inventors have consulted with various groups for their input on what they "really" need hmm??

Are you THAT Clueless??

This is a list of stuff I've heard over the years regarding my Deaf/Blindness...

* "Oh you must really miss hearing things" - How can I miss something I've never had in the first place??

* "You don't look Deaf or Blind" - Uhh how am I supposed to look? Have a freaking sign around my neck?

* (Asked to my Mother) "How is your daughter doing?" (Mom's snapback) "Ask her she's standing right here!"

* "What's it like being Deaf?" - Dunno what's it like being Hearing??

* "How long are you going to stay Deaf?" = How long are you going to stay stupid?

* (Explained to someone I'm Deaf and need to lipread) (person turns white and freezes in fear) - Oh for crying out loud it ain't contagious!!

* (Turns around to catch someone glaring at me) "What's the matter with you!! YA DEAF???" - Yes I am, what's your excuse?

* (Taps way into room with White Cane) "Hey! How'd ya get here? Drive?" - Yeah! I stuck my cane out the window and tapped on the road ahead of me!

* (Explaining how a Hearing Ear dog works) "So when the doorbell or phone rings..." (interrupted) "Oh then the dog BARKS at you!" - Uhhh no I'm Deaf remember???

* "Deaf people can't have sex" "Whaaa? Where the hell ya come up with that?" "Well they can't hear the sounds of lovemaking or see in the dark to talk..." (facepalm)

* (Explained I'm Deaf) (Enunciating) "Ohhhh Caaaaaaan yoooooouuuuu uuuunderstaaaaaaaand meeeeeeeee?" (I really wanna punch these people).

* (At a home show...leaning against my White Cane...waiting) "Oh where ya get that?" "pardon?" "The free stick!" "I'm blind and this helps me get around" (like there's a table giving away free "sticks" to the first 200 people)

* "You can't be Deaf! You're understanding me!" - it's called lipreading dufus

* (Spotted my C.I.) "Oh is that the new Bluetooth??"

* (Asked after explaining why I was bringing my Hearing Ear dog in the building) "Oh so the dog's gonna interpret for you?"- I'm lost for words

* "Where are ya from? Where's the Accent from?" - it's called a Deaf accent.

* (Bill Collector calls house - Hearing Son answers) "Hello may I speak to your mother?" "She's Deaf and can't hear on the phone" "I don't believe you!" "Okay" *click* - Good boy :)

* "Oh so you're into Goth, ghosts, graveyards and such?" "Whaaa??" "You said you were a member of the Association of the Death" "of the DEAF!!"

* (Explained I can't hear the PA system and please come get me.....after a looooong wait I inquire about my turn) "We tried calling you ten times!!"

* (Passed a note with "Can you read and write" written on it) I grabbed their pen and wrote "No I can't" and pass it back, they become sad and walk away. WTH???

* (After asking for something in a store) "It's over there" "Over where? I'm nearly blind (holding up White Cane)." "You can't be...ya got glasses on" (trying hard not to whack 'em with my cane)

And THEY think we're dumb???