#sightloss

I thought I’d update you all on how my braille is going, now that I am at the 6-month stage...

To begin with, I was very resistant to the idea of learning Braille. I am admittedly lazy too- not really wanting to study.

But then I heard about someone who has mito and overnight lost their remaining sight due to a damaged optic nerve- which I too have. It saddened me to hear how much independence she had lost.

I for one would love to be able to read my own prescriptions.

When I went into the group, everyone was so friendly. They understood that I, as a Braille beginner,  was scared and nervous. With the support and encouragement of Josie, Chris and the other students- Jan, Kev and Tony (& guide dog Marley), both my confidence and skills have grown.

The Braille language is like learning a whole new alphabet as you attempt to learn the 6-cell system. The way I began learning was with an egg box and golf balls. 

I learnt in blocks of A-G, H-M, M-R & S-Z… I gradually built up the alphabet, going forwards and backwards, with Josie throwing random letters and words at me to fathom out. I see now why in the book, it begins with L, G and X: because these 3, put next to each other, feel so different. I still struggle with D, T and Y, as they feel so similar... I have my faves though- A and L.

When I began to open the introduction book, I was nervous as I wondered, how can anyone differentiate between the bumps? Am I really up to this?...

I listened as the others told me about their braille journeys and how everyone's learning pace is different- for some, it may take 2 years, some 5 years, others, perhaps longer as fingers and brain acclimatise to the new layout.

The feeling of achievement when you have mastered a sentence in braille… it makes you want to punch the air with pride!

I may only be on page 20 of the book, and when you consider I used to read a 300+ page book a day, I know this might not seem a lot (being on pg. 20), but to me, I’m learning a new language! I’ve been learning now for about 6 months and I am still enjoying it. I have a long way to go before I can read my prescriptions etc, but as I get to know the feel of the different letters, I hope I will get there...

You never know if or when your own eyesight may deteriorate, and the skill of braille reading may come in useful. The only ask I have of those with full sight who are embracing the braille challenge, is to make it ‘authentic’ and wear a scarf over your eyes-  learn with your fingers, like us blind/ visually impaired folks have to.