A Rough Day

Wednesday April 12th – Today we learned about the role an O&M instructor plays in assessing environments and giving recommendations for improving the conditions for a visually impaired person. GDV’s children’s mobility instructors are often called upon to assess schools and make recommendations such as painting the yellow strips on the steps for better contract and improving lighting inside the classrooms. We then went to practice these new skills at a local mall. As we approached the mall there was an interesting children’s playground. The photo here is me demonstrating the proper climbing technique.

This afternoon I learned about having a slump or regression in learning. It was rather frustrating I must say. We went to what I thought should have been a fairly simple or straightforward lighted intersection. Our goal was to practice reading traffic. For those not in the industry this means to listen to the traffic flow to determine the safe time to cross. I put my blindfold on and with Laura instructing me we began. I couldn’t get it! I was SO frustrated. Yes, there were two advanced turn lanes, and yes the traffic is opposite to the US but I still thought it should have been easy. ARAUGH! After the frustrating intersection we went back to the residential area we went to on Monday. We were supposed to add the block next to the one we learned on Monday which would mean crossing two streets. Laura and I were working together again and we quickly agreed that it was not my day and I would not be walking the route solo. My limited cane skills had by this time gone completely out the window and I was definitely not safe! It was a good lesson in experiencing an “off” day and to know when you’re done. I went to bed at 8:30 that night as I was so stressed out and slept soundly until 7 am! It just wasn’t my day!!