The Japanese-born woman who was injured in this past spring's Tornado Outbreak struggles to learn to live with blindness and disability.
Ohaiyo. (That means hello in my language.)
This is Michiko. Michiko Osaka. I am writing this on a Braille computer; I still am not used to it, but I have now learned the Braille symbols from memory, and so I am now learning to write this way.
I am still having many problems, problems in trying to do things without sight. It is so hard; I keep on running into things, and I also do not walk well; I use a cane, and I am always tripping myself. I am thinking of getting a seeing eye dog, but I have to go to school to learn how to use a dog, and right now, I just do not have the money to do that. So until then, I will use my cane. I also have a wheelchair, but I don't like that; someone has to push me, or I can get into serious trouble, since I am now blind. I have to have people coming in and out all the time to help me do everything from getting dressed, washing myself, brushing my hair and teeth, eating, cooking, and getting around; and it is such a challenge! I do not like this, being blind; it is like I am in the dark all the time, and I wish someone would turn on the light, so I can see; but I know now that I will never be able to see again, and it has me very upset. I feel like a little baby having to learn how to do everything all over again, and it is very frustrating!
My nurse friend who took care of me when I was hurt in the tornado storm this year comes by my place, and she helps me too. She will help me with my cooking or tell me where things are so I don't fall and hurt myself again. My body is covered with bruises and bumps; in fact, I KNOW it is! I feel like one giant bruise from head to toe; everything HURTS!! She is so patient with me, and she never gets mad at me if I mess up. She just laughs in a very friendly way, and she will show me how to do something in the correct manner. She says she is used to working with blind people like me; she has several kids in her family who are blind like me, and so she knows how to help blind people. And she is very good at what she does. She is more than happy to help me, and I am very grateful for the care she has given me when I was in the hospital and now that I am home.
It is even worse for me because now besides being blind, I can't walk well as I used to, ever since I had a broken leg, and now I have to use a wheelchair. So I am really in a pickle, yes?? This is why I need so much help because without it I would just probably sit in my wheelchair, right in the middle of the room, and not do ANYTHING for myself, for fear I may set my place on fire and burn up or hurt myself very badly! So I will just sit in my wheelchair until someone calls me on the phone or comes to the door, and then I can follow the sound of the bell at the door and let the people in or answer the phone; and then they can help me when they come to my apartment.
Sometimes my mother and father come from Japan; but it is expensive; so I am lucky if I see them once a year. They are coming for Christmas, and it will be nice to have Mother and Father with me again! But this will be the first time they will see me as a blind person, and I am afraid that they will only end up crying and worrying over me, and I don't need that! I want to get my life back, the life I had before I was hurt by the tornado storm, when I could see; but it looks like it will be a very long time before that happens!
~To be continued.~
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Reviewed by Robert Blackwell
12/7/2003
You are the ultimate champion of chronicling the challenges of the disabled. {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}
Good story Karen! I wish her well!
Very rough road to travel! I am sure!
I have a blind friend at the moment!
He is really nice! Thanks for your
Magnificient reviews!
Spoken Word
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