365 Things to Smile About Day 234. Low Vision Products!

Today I spent my morning working on my low vision observations at the V.A. and got to see a demonstration of a low vision aid called OrCam.  It is a pair of glasses that you can have your own prescription in and attached to the right bow is a small camera and tiny speaker that sits in front of your ear.  This was the OrCam Eye so it had a few extra features than the OrCam Reader.  What it does is takes a picture of something you want to read and reads it to you.  This is known as OCR (optical character recognition).  It can also be taught to recognize faces and products from the grocery store.

I got a chance to try it out walking around reading different things and working the control box.  It was actually really cool and I just might have a chance to become a certified trainer for the device.  If the rep can come back before I finish school in a few weeks!  Lol!  It isn't for everyone and like all low vision devices it is crazy expensive and of course not covered under insurance :( .  But I love the direction that research is taking us in coming up with new aids for the blind and visually impaired and was really excited to get a chance to see this device in action and use it myself!  A pretty good morning today!!

365 Things to Smile About 233. Ouch!

Tonight I reserved my moving truck and tow dolley for my car. Only a month away!  What was incredibly painful was how much moving all my things will cost!!!  I've always lived light but I've stopped doing that so now moving is a painful thing!  Lol!

That being said, I'm excited too!  I've started packing and now my truck is reserved. The days are starting to pass by quicker!  Life is moving forward full steam ahead!   Lol!  So a painful hit to my credit card but I'm happy to do it!  I feel like life is going to start taking leaps and bounds forward now! 

365 Things to Smile About Day 232. A Chat:)

On my way home from my parents I stopped by my oldest brothers house to drop off some Easter goodies for him and his family. I always love going there!  Seeing my sister in law and catching up with her is always great:). And my nieces and nephews there are kind, funny and just a delight to be around!

I ended up having a really nice chat with the oldest of the four who is in high school. He was asking me about what I'll be doing in Richmond and then asked me some really good questions about blindness. As I explained the range of blindness he kept asking good questions and we had a great conversation!  I'm really going to miss seeing them and hanging out with them!  I don't get over there often but I'm going to miss the chances I do have!  So I treasure conversations like today when I can get some bonding time in with my nieces and nephews!!  A short but really wonderful visit!!

365 Things to Smile About Day 231. Easter Vigil

Tonight I went to the Easter Vigil Mass with my parents. I love the tradition and ceremony in that mass. Everything seems MORE. Once the incense had passed I could sit back and just be caught up in all of it. 

It's really quite beautiful...even with a slightly off key choir!  Lol!  They try though and they sing with all their hearts. I think one of my favorite moments is when the Litany of the Saints is sung. It's mesmerizing!  So all in all a good night of Mass with mom and dad capped off with watching an episode of NCIS when we all got home!  Lol!

365 Things to Smile About Day 230. Powering Through.

Today was a crazy day but I was able to get a lot done!  The best part was getting the rough draft of a research paper done between running errands and fits of total frustration over having to write with APA!

But the paper is there and just needs to be cleaned up before handing in a week from Monday!  That is definitely something to smile about!

365 Things to Smile About Day 229. Research!

I am working on a research paper for my Medical Aspects class. I chose Endometrial Cancer for obvious reasons. It isn't supposed to be a terribly in depth paper but I was surprised to find the amount of research I did. 

I guess I'm writing about this because I'm able to do this research without my anxiety flairing up and that feels good. In the past I have been too afraid to know more than I needed to get treatment and recognize what was normal and what wasn't.  Anything beyond that was too frightening to me. Today I was online looking for sources and information for the paper and I felt more curiosity than anything. That was a great feeling. I get tired of being afraid and this was a step towards letting go of that fear. 😊

365 Things to Smile About Day 228. Accomplishments Between Naps!

I am still feeling wiped out from yesterday's tango with the flu.  I am able to get up and do things for longer periods of time but I will admit...the naps and rests curled up in my blankets were pretty frequent!  That being said, as tired as I am now and as loudly as my bed is calling for me, I feel good about the day!

I wasn't able to go to the low vision clinic as usual tonight but I did get an assignment due tomorrow finished and emailed in!  I was really worried because I am not able to be on the computer for long stretches of time when I am still this tired.  My eyes get over worked and I get tired.  But I was able to keep myself focused between naps and rests and work on my assignment one piece at a time!  Write a little, sleep a little!  That was my schedule today!  Fingers crossed I can add a class in there tomorrow morning!  But I can't help but smile that as tired as I was today I got homework done and I have been able to catch up on my blog!  Lol!  And with that, I shall close out this post and head back to bed!  Class at 8 am tomorrow!