Everyone has their own ‘must haves’ or ‘can’t live without’ items. And maybe mine aren’t that dissimilar, I have very little specialised kit to cope day-to-day.
In no particular order, here are my 10 MUST HAVES:
- One Touch Kettle
- iPhone
- Apple Watch
- Compact Dome magnifier
- Wrap-Around Polarised Sun Glasses
- Power pack
- Amplicomms Amplified Bluetooth Neck-loop
- Notepad/Pen
- Book
- Dog Bowl
ONE: One Touch Kettle: I like most can’t start my day without a cuppa. My cuppa of choice is Herbalife Thermogenic Peach Tea; and although there are fantastic gadgets like liquid level indicators and tipping support for enabling VIs to pour a normal kettle, my kettle isn’t a specialist bit of kit. It is simply a water saving, energy efficient way of pouring just one cup of water at a time. I don’t even need to lift it. I simply set the cup size (all my mugs are large-so this is easy) press the button and when the water has heated, the water is dispensed automatically. With no risk to me….. This also means it is safe for my children to make them or me a cuppa (although this novelty has really caught on yet!)
TWO: iPhone: Apart from the ‘usual’ needs for a smart phone to call, text and access maps; my iPhone is an AMAZING piece of accessible tech. With the standard, ‘Notes’ ‘camera’ ‘Magnifier’ ‘Siri’ in addition to the ‘added at source accessibility features my phone is fully accessible’. It is more than ‘just a phone’ it is a Canera, A CCTV Reader, a pocket sized PA, with the addition of recent apps such as ‘See Al’ ‘Big Spender’ ‘Station Master’ I have all the information I could possibly need at my finger tips means that nothing is ever far away.
THREE: Apple Watch: Just as my phone my Apple watch is an extension of the support I gain from Mac based products. And actually my increased feeling of safety that my watch offers me, helps me to feel more confident in my surroundings. With the use of haptics I can set a route on my phone that then gives instructions through vibrations on my wrist. I have my watch set to enable me to zoom in on the screen, to read and send messages and even answer calls. In addition to making contactless payments enabling me to keep my phone and purse both safely kept in my bag.
FOUR: Compact Dome Magnifier: This is my bewest piece of ‘kit’ that I actually received from the LVC (low vision clinic) at Moorfields Hospital recently. It is a small Perspex domed magnifier that gives 2.5 magnification, which in the scheme of things isn’t much, but with a flat base and a domed top it enables the light to be increased and this has just as much importance to me as the magnification.
FIVE: Wrap-Around Polarised Sun Glasses: To protect my eyes from bright sunshine and glare. (Non-prescription)
SIX: Power pack: So that I always have a back up should I be using a lot of the apps on my phone and therefore depleting battery life. As my phone running out is so much more than just ‘not being able to make a call’
SEVEN: Amplicomms Amplified Bluetooth Neck-loop: THIS IS a specialist piece of kit, this works with my hearing aids to support me. I can stream calls direct to my ears (which works brilliantly for guiding from the ground when I climb) I can listen to music or audiobooks (as I previously had done before hearing aids) I can also use the amplification button on the front to enable me to hear a person stood in front of me in a loud, busy environment. Or tune into a local ‘loop’ connection what is being said clearer and directly into my ears.
EIGHT: Notepad/Pen: Because sometimes I like to jot down ideas for blogs or make notes and sometimes I like to not use tech.
NINE: Book: Just like the notepad, I like to just do the simple things, to enjoy escaping from the world for a few moments (after all with my magnifier and the right lighting, I can still read)
TEN: Dog Bowl: clearly this one isn’t for me, but with my faithful guiding girl I need to ensure that I can meet her needs and ensure that just like me, she is hydrated.
So, these are my lists. And at times I will add other items to them and other times I may not include them all. But I do start each day with a cuppa and I never leave home without my phone or watch (which probably isn’t any different to any other person in today’s society) I am sure if you asked another VI they may have different items they consider important.
I just wanted to share with you mine.
i hope you have enjoyed.
