My name is Kath and I lost my sight in 2009 to Diabetic Retinopathy. I got my first glimpse of the value of Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey’s tech program a few years ago while enrolled in the organization’s Better Health and Wellness program in Montclair.
I was using a flip phone at the time and couldn’t imagine any reason for switching to an iPhone. My phone allowed me to dial numbers vocally, and really, what more did I need?
In the Better Health and Wellness program, I was surrounded by classmates whose knowledge and wisdom I admired and trusted. I heard them using amazing applications. The first app that really grabbed my attention was one called “BlindSquare.” It worked in a manner similar to that of a GPS in a car, but this one enabled a blind or visually impaired person to know exactly where she was standing on a block or in a mall! What freedom!! Another app that drew my interest was called “TapTapSee.” This one identified items photographed with the phone. Ah! The joy of finding peas in the can when you opened it, as hoped for.
I decided to sign up, buying an iPhone just before classes started at the Denville location.
The experience wasn’t easy at first. There I was in an unfamiliar space that offered a frustrating set of classes that had me wanting to throw the phone out the window — or at the least across the room. But I was surrounded by classmates who understood where I was coming from, and who both commiserated with me and taught me to laugh at the experience. I found teachers with enormous knowledge of these highly technical topics and even greater patience with people like me who were groaning students convinced they’d never learn.
Over time I did learn, and I went on to use the iPad and a Bluetooth keyboard. These days, I volunteer as an assistant teacher, where I get the great blessing of sharing in and cheering on my students’ successes!