Using simulators in "the bush"

Tuesday March 21st – The first half of our day was presented by Ky Lian an optometrist who consults monthly at GDV. She gave a power point on the role of the optometrist, orthoptist, and ophthalmologist, eye anatomy, and major causes of blindness. Jhaneen presented on primary and secondary mobility aids and we practiced using the support cane and id cane.

We spent the afternoon walking around using the simulators. We walked a bike path behind the school and took a trail “into the bush”. We then drove into town; practiced sighted guide in busier areas, then used the simulators in this environment as well. It was a full day – seems like I say that a lot, don’t I?

Evenings are fun as Susan and I eat with the two retrains, Christine the evening cook, and the night managers Carrie or Ron. It’s always entertaining chatting about our lives and trying to understand each other’s “lingo”. Our dorm manager and daytime chef is a super friendly gut named Grant. Grant and Ron are a hoot together, they get into these playful verbal battles that must make Sue and I seem like we’re watching a tennis match. We are so focused on figuring out what the heck they are saying that we stare intently at each person’s face as they speak. Sometimes it almost seems like we speak completely different languages.