I may have mentioned it before, but I am getting on a bit, and the use-by date is creeping into consideration. I've suspected for some time that I will soon join the 'total blindies’, and once that happens there's a risk of feeling isolated. I'm not wired to be a Champagne Charlie, but ending up as a human cobweb doesn't appeal much either.
It occurs to me that I should find some middle ground to ease myself through the transition phases. I'm a paid-up member of the blind community and surely too well travelled in the twilight zone to be plonked into the social wilderness the instant someone says, “Sorry, he's got a vision problem.” I reckon it’s sad we don't have a recognition system for some of our efforts. Lots of bods get medals, hyphenated job descriptions and stuff like that, but it seems to me that our blindy footsoldiers tend to get overlooked. Not that I'm pushing for a 'blindhood' – I'm not really in favour of such things… unless something gets offered, in which case I will accept with appropriate modesty.
For services to…
I rather like ‘for services to…’; it’s got a nice old-fashioned ring to it. But it does indicate that I need to come up with something pretty nifty to get my foot in the door. I've pretty well solved the indoor mobility bit, but the fiddly stuff's going to need a bit more R&D before my work merits discussion in professional circles. My first discovery was the unbreakable mug – one of those old German pottery souvenir beer steins. It takes about a third of a litre of tea, which solves the refill drama; it’s got an easy-grip handle and, best of all, it’s really tough to knock over! Cheap and still pretty easy to come by through eBay, op shops and second-hand stores.
