Noodle revelations and exit strategy

This week I finished Home Ec!

My 7-course meal went well. I had it on Thursday. I only freaked out twice. Once when they told me I should make it for lunch instead of dinner, and the second “freak out” was when I was all done making the lasagna and my home ec teacher told me the noodles I used weren’t no-boil, they were boil noodles.

But it all turned out great. So that day I found out that you CAN use regular lasagna noodles and not cook them and just put them in the oven. Everyone who came said it was delicious. And I’m glad to have finished home ec.

Now, this week, I am waiting for my “places to go” list on my final travel route. The list is just places the teacher wants me to go and then when I’m there I will have to get something proving that I was there. I hope my list wont be too long.

I will do my final travel class on Thursday. I am really nervous about that. I know that I can do it, it’s just I’m not a very big fan of the cold weather–it’s been sub-zero with windchill in Iowa lately.

My shop project –the vanity–is OK. I think I am behind on getting it finished by the time I am done in the center. I just finished sanding everything and am going to be varnishing and staining it this week. I hope it will be finished by the time I finish the center.

I’m not sure if I said when my final day here is, but it is the 22nd of December. Not far away at all!

I think it feels weird to graduate. It’s almost like when you’re a freshman in high school and the next thing you know, you’re a senior planning for graduation day. It comes up fast and your sort of sad to leave. I know I will miss all of the people I have met here. But I’m going to keep in touch, it will just be weird not seeing and talking to them once or twice a day. But I am ready to get a move on to college, and I know I’ll make it.

Jamie’s mind bends

The first two weeks in the orientation center were very exhausting and tiresome. It was a combination of physically changing the way I would typically complete a task and of mentality altering my thinking style while using different senses as an alternate way to complete daily tasks.

On my first day, when my travel teacher, Mark, said we would be going outside to travel, my feet started sweating immediately with anxiety. Walking down the sidewalk was OK until I thought the intersection was coming up. I would start raking my cane about half way down the block so I wouldn’t miss the curb. If I thought I was at the curb, but not sure, my heart would start to beat rapidly with all of these thoughts going through my head. I wondered if I was just standing in the middle of the intersection, if I was going to get hit by a car, if people were staring at me, etc. I had these feelings the first few times I went outside.

I will never forget I was home for the weekend processing what I had been doing over the past few weeks and wondering if I would ever get through the fear and anxiety. I finally said to myself, “You know what, you can do this and it will be fine. Quit being such a chicken and just do it.”

The following week, I went to the center with an entirely different mentality. I walked down the sidewalk at a faster pace, fell off the curb numerous times, ran into parking meters, ended up in the middle of intersections, walked into parking garages, and ran into buildings. However, I now know what a curb feels like and am able to stop myself before going off it. I know the difference between a driveway and a curb (well most of the time). And I don’t view running into objects as a failure but as a learning experience.

I am now on week six in the orientation center. Even though my comfort level has improved greatly and my confidence and attitude and changed in these few weeks, I continue to learn and improve my confidence each day.

I still struggle with completing commands on the computer; my heart still rapidly beats as I use a new saw in shop; my head still hurts when I am learning new Braille letters and trying to feel them with my fingers; I continue to run into cars, mailboxes, planters, waste baskets, and parking meters during travel; and I flip pancakes out of the pan instead of moving from my spatula to the plate. However, I know it’s not the quality of completing the tasks, but the mental process of the experience that means more and will foster me in learning and obtaining the skills to be successful as a counselor someday.

Cooking blind

Home Ec is my first class of the morning and goes from 8 to 9:30 a.m.

Orientation center student and staff-in-training, Melissa, has nearly mastered the fine art of cooking eggs and other breakfast items under sleep shades. Every new staff at the Iowa Department for the Blind goes through the Orientation Center to learn the skills of blindness. Melissa will be a rehabilitation teacher in the field.

In my first few weeks of Home Ec I learned my way around the kitchen by feeling where everything was and by smelling the different ingredients. I learned how to use an oven, which wasn’t too hard because it had puffy-paint markings on the important buttons.

My first task was learning how to fry eggs. I was scared of burning myself, but Larry, our Home Ec teacher taught me how to feel for the heat once the stove was on, and how to place the pan directly over the heat. I didn’t have any problems cracking eggs, but struggled when it came to flipping them. I would occasionally flip an egg out of the pan!

My next project was to make pancakes. It was the same concept as an egg, but again, I had trouble flipping them and having them land back in the pan! I would put the flipper over the top of the pancake, and guide my finger down the handle to touch the pancake to see if it was ready to flip. It took me a few tries, but I soon became a pro at flipping food, and actually have it land back in the pan!

I was very excited when I got to make homemade apple sauce. I used my mom’s recipe and peeled quite a few apples, put the ingredients together, and the aroma filled the room before it was even done baking! I have also made blueberry muffins, vegetable pizza, scrambled eggs and bacon, and cinnamon rolls! As you can see, I get to enjoy a lot of breakfast foods since my class is first thing in the morning. Most of my Home Ec projects have turned out well, except the eggs and pancakes that somehow got flipped out of the pan!

I feel comfortable in the kitchen now and I know there is no difficulty that I can’t overcome. It’s important to remember that when starting out, it’s not about how the food turns out, but it’s about overcoming the fears and worries that may come from learning how to cook blind!

I’m excited to start making my 3 course meals soon!

Christmas trees, graduation and college

I have never had a real Christmas tree.

Kaylee helped cut down and decorate the Orientation Center's Christmas Tree this year.

And this week all the students picked one out and cut it down. I think it was a good experience, but I wouldn’t volunteer to help cut down the tree again.

I had to get down on my stomach, and let me tell you, it is hard work moving the saw back and forth. It also didn’t help that I would saw into the tree here, and then start all over there. So there are a lot of saw marks in the tree.

Then we had to decorate the tree. I really liked this part. We had Christmas music playing. I even got on top of the ladder and put the lights up on the top of an 11- to12- foot tree. And I am very scared of heights. But I liked wearing the blindfold to decorate the tree.

I knew how high up I was, but I was so fixed on getting the lights up and making them look good that I didn’t care how high up I was. So it all worked out fine.

Oh! I am graduating from the department on the 22 of December. So its coming up.

My final travel is in about 2 weeks (cross your fingers for me, please.) My 7-course meal is on the 10^th. And the shop teacher and I, well I, have to kick it into over drive to get my project done. And after the 22nd is Christmas break, and after that. COLLEGE! I start in January. My major is K-12 education.

I already am registered for all of my classes. I know this might sound cheesy, but when I got my student ID I was really excited. That meant it was sort of official for me. I came home that day and called a lot of people and told them that I was “officially” a college student. So I’m excited to get out of here and go to college.

Day 2 at the Center

The second day of my training at the orientation center I began my classes starting with computer.

Initially, my thought was I have used a computer for the past 14 years so how hard could it really be? However, I was put back in my place very soon.

Although I could whiz through any computer program sighted, I felt I was back in my first keyboarding class in junior high. I was completely lost and remember thinking there is no way I am going to be able to remember all of these key strokes. My head will not hold that many commands!

However, after a few classes I found myself being able to open documents, spell-checking, saving, and typing my own documents.

Even though I still have a lot to learn, I feel comfortable playing around to learn the different commands as I did 20 years ago. 

Next, I went to shop class. This was my most fearful class, but has ironically become my favorite class. The instructor, Ric, taught me how to use the Rotomatic, a tactile measuring tool. I caught on to that quickly and started thinking this would not be hard at all. Ric verbally guided me rather than taking my arm around the shop and to the power saws. He introduced me to the saws by having me feel the blades and other significant parts. After a few minutes, he handed me a long board and showed me how to measure and cut it.

I kept feeling where my hand was in relation to the blade. I was a little nervous but then thought Ric won’t let me cut off my fingers. Even though I still get nervous when learning new machines, I am confident I can learn them and will be safe.

The third period, I have Braille class. My head seriously hurts at the end of this class from concentrating so hard on what I am feeling and trying to make sense out of my fingers. However, Rebecca, the teacher, is very patient with me and is good at giving helpful hints and ensuring that everyone processes the language at different paces.

Then the very dreadful class of travel is next. The first day it was rainy so the teacher, Mark, took us to the skywalk. I had never been in the skywalk before, so this was a very new experience for me. Mark directed me by telling me to walk until I got to a set of double doors and stop and wait for my classmate. There were so many noises and people talking and walking. I just tried to relax and keep my head up looking as though I knew what I was doing. And was comfortable in doing so. I got through that day OK.

Finally, cooking class ended the day. I was interested in this class and wondered how I was going to do this, as I am not a good cook and didn’t have any clue how I would be successful in this class. The first day, the regular teacher was gone, so I had a substitute. We were making cookies for an upcoming banquet. Not only was I baking cookies for the first time, I was baking them for people to actually eat, which freaked me out. However, it was easier than I thought. I took my time and truly concentrated on what I was doing. Everything was going well until I put the pan to be washed on top of all my cooling cookies, but they still worked out.

Intro to Jamie

The night before I was scheduled to start the orientation center at the Iowa Department for the Blind, I had all sorts of emotions running through my body. I was nervous and anxious because I didn’t know what to expect. I was excited because it was going to be a great learning experience and open my mind. I was scared because it was all new to me, and anything new is often scary. Finally, I was fearful I would fail, and failing is a difficult thing to swallow.

Jamie, a student and staff-in-training at the Iowa Department for the Blind's orientation center, smiles during her woodshop class.

On the first day, I had a verbal introduction with Dave about the orientation center. At this moment, I was feeling a bit more comfortable and at ease, but yet still could not imagine what the next six months were going to be like.

After a few hours of talking, I remember Dave handing me sleep shades and a long white cane. He walked me around the room discussing how to use the cane to travel. After a few moments, Dave took me upstairs to the second floor, where he instructed me to walk the hallway wearing my sleep shades and using the long white cane. I will never forget looking down that hall way prior to putting the sleep shades and thinking, “Wow this is a really long hallway.”

Again, a million emotions and feelings ran through my body. My heart was pounding with nervousness, my hands were sweating, and my knees were shaking. All sorts of thoughts running through my head including, what if I run into someone? How are all these experienced individuals going to judge me?I put my sleep shades on for the first time, placed the white cane ahead of me, and started walking. My shoulders were stiff, my head was not moving any direction, and my hands only moved to guide my cane from wall to wall.   

After coming back down the hall, Rebecca, the Braille teacher, pulled me aside and commented on how I stiff I was, which was normal she said. I felt a bit of relief knowing that everyone has these same emotions, and watching everyone else successfully traveling with confidence gave me the courage to keep going with a positive attitude that I, too, would develop the skills.

Intro to Melissa

Orientation Center student Melissa uses her long, white cane to travel down a sidewalk in Des Moines, Iowa.

Hello, my name is Melissa, and I am a new Rehab Teacher at the Iowa Department for the Blind. Once I complete my 4 to 6 months of training I will be travelling Counties of North Central Iowa, teaching the skills necessary for blind individuals to live and remain independent in their homes. I originally grew up on a farm in Northwest Iowa between the small towns of Peterson and Linn Grove, along the Little Sioux River Valley. I graduated from Iowa State University in 2008 with a degree in Kinesiology and Health. Prior to working with the blind, I was the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program Coordinator for Northwest Aging Association in Spencer, IA.

I started working for the Iowa Department for the Blind October 5, 2009 and I have been considered “staff in-training” ever since. As a staff member going through training, I wear sleep shades over my eyes to create a sense of blindness. While in training, I follow a class schedule of Home Ec, Shop, Braille, Computer, and Travel Class. Each class last for an hour-an- a-half, and it is during these classes that I learn the skills necessary to live independently as a blind person. As I sit here and examine the reasons as to why I’m going through all of this intensive training, I have come up with the following:

• It is important to realize and understand that A blind person is just as capable as a sighted person
• I will gain the skills necessary to teach those that are blind how to live independently
• As a blind person, I will face the struggles and obstacles that arise, but will learn to be successful by believing in myself
• I will challenge and empower others to change their negative attitudes about blindness so they can view vision loss in a more positive light. 

 A little about my classes:

I would have to say that Braille is my favorite class. I now know the letters A through Z and all of the numbers. I still have a lot to learn, but it is such an exciting challenge!

In home Ec, my first class of the day, I have learned how to fry eggs, make pancakes, make cinnamon rolls from scratch, cut vegetables, and use the oven (I just made homemade apple crisp!). I will eventually be preparing three- and seven-course meals!

 Another favorite of mine is shop. I just finished making  my picture frame made from scratch (yes, I have used the band saw, radial saw, sander, and more!),and I will be starting a bigger project soon! I plan on making a blanket chest for my living room.

In computer class, I am learning the basics of Microsoft Word. We have computers, but they don’t have a screen or a mouse! I have been learning to navigate my way around a computer using a program called JAWS. Soon, I will be learning how to open up and use e-mail. It’s been tricky learning all of the different keystrokes and shortcuts necessary to use the computer, but I believe I have been pretty successful!

When I first started, I was scared to death of travel class. After a month, I have learned to cross streets, take the bus, and get around by using a white cane. As a blind person, I have really come to know how handy and useful a cane is in getting around. Yes, I’ve run into things, but I’ve learned to laugh it off and keep going!

My time here thus far has been such a great learning experience. Although I’ve been faced with some difficult challenges, I’ve had a lot of fun, and have met many great people.

Finding My Way Back to Home Block

When I first started the department I hated travel, but now, it’s my favorite class. A long time ago in business class the topic was the three stages you go through in all of the classes (mostly travel). The first level is the “scared” level. I know for a fact that I was in that level because I ruined a pair of sleep shades from crying so much. But this level everyone goes through. It might not involve crying, but it’s what every student goes through in the beginning of training.

The next level is being over-confident. This is where you will cross streets without listening because you think you know everything. And, yes, I have been in that level, too. I know this because I have crossed streets without listening to the traffic, more than once. Finally I decided to stop and listen. That’s when I reached the final level. I’m not sure what it’s called, but its right between “scared” and “over-confident.”  I reached the final level in the middle of last week.

I reached this level because I did a drop-off route. The drop off route is where the teacher takes you in a car, drives around for a while and then drops you off and tells you to find your way back. Well, you get told the “four-corners” of the “box” your in. That means that the teacher will tell you that you’re in between Court Avenue and Grand Avenue, and 4^th Street and 7th Street. Oh, and I forgot to mention that you can’t ask anyone on the streets for help, either. When I heard I couldn’t ask for help, that’s when I started to freak out. But when I got out of the car I just went around the block and took everything in. Then, I found my way back.

When I got on 4^th Street and Grand Avenue (home block) I felt so good. It was one of those feelings where you’re so happy that you could cry. But luckily I knew what crying would do to my sleep shades.

So every day for travel I know that I can go anywhere and do anything. My teacher tells me where I’m going to go. And I do it. And that is an awesome feeling, because I am finally independent.

Intro to Kaylee

My name is Kaylee. I am 20 years old and am from Council Bluffs, Iowa. I am also an orientation student at the Iowa Department for The Blind. I started the program on June 9, 2008, but in October 2008 I took about five months off, and then I re-started. So here I am.

Kaylee cuts wood in the Iowa Department for the Blind's shop class. The class's main function is to increase a blind person's confidence. They also get to build cool stuff. Kaylee is making a vanity.

I am at the center because I want to do well in college, and the Department will help me with that. I am also in the department because I am blind. I have an eye disease named Stargardt’s.

I don’t have any central vision, it’s all blocked. I do have peripheral vision though, but not enough to drive. So the orientation center also helps me on becoming more independent in travel. That means the department will teach me how to use the bus systems in Des Moines. They also taught me how to use the white cane. Travel is one of the classes at the department where it gives you a super confidence boost when you finish routes, and when you do your final 5-mile travel route.

This morning I didn’t have travel! Not having travel can be good for my day sometimes. This is because it’s really hard. I admit for the first couple of months I cried a lot in that class. It’s very intimidating because, well, I’m outside with the sleep shades on and my teacher is telling me to cross busy streets and to go places that I have never been without my sleep shades on.

I didn’t have travel because we had business class first thing. We talked about how blindness is just another characteristic. That means that blindness is just like having brown hair, or having blue eyes. Which, to me, makes sense. I like business class because I get to hear how other people think. It’s a class where whatever you are thinking you can share.

The next class I had was home economics. I love home ec. because you NEVER go hungry in that class. It was really hard for me in the beginning to cook with my sleep shades on, but now I’m almost done with it. Today I planned for my final seven-course meal, which is the last step toward completion of the home ec class. I am going to be making lasagna, clam chowder, garlic cheese bread, vinaigrette salad, chocolate lust cake, something with green beans in it, and a fruit drink. I know on the day of my seven course I will be a ball of nerves. But I know I’ll  do well.

After home ec. I went to shop. I used to hate shop class because all that I had to do was make one little wrong turn and I would get lost. But now I know that place like the back of my hand. I’m making a vanity with a lap drawer and three drawers on the right. It’s also going to have a huge mirror on the back. I have most of it done. But I bet that I have a lot to do before it’s done.

Next is LUNCH! That’s at 12:30 to 1:30. For that amount of time there is no sleep shades A.K.A lunch break.

After lunch is Braille. I started in the department knowing Braille until about the letter w. Now I am reading a novel. I am reading “So Yesterday.” Braille to me is hard because I can still read print. So the more that I don’t use it, the more I lose it. Last week I was sick for the whole week, and I didn’t use Braille at all. Today it was really hard for me to read my book. I have forgotten a lot in just a week.

My last class of the day is computers. I can see a computer screen just fine, well I can see the big printed stuff. So when I first started here I didn’t really care for this class. But now I LOVE not killing my eyes just so I can read my e-mail, or see what’s happening on Facebook. I just use the screen-reading program JAWS now. I use to go down to the coffee shop and use their internet for my laptop, but now I just go up to the second floor in the department and use one of there computers, even though they don’t have monitors. Which is awesome. I have learned to use a computer completely without using my vision.

Tomorrow I have no business class, which means travel. I am ok, in that class. It’s the whole freaking out when I get lost part that I need to work on. But I’m getting there.