Michiko Osaka is slowly learning to adjust to her blindness and all the trappings that go along with it.
Ohaiyo. This is Michiko Osaka again; and I am doing much better since the last time I wrote. I am walking on my own, but it is still slow at best, and I am still adjusting to my lack of sight and having a guide dog around.
My dog's name is "Bandit", and he's a German Shepherd. They say he is black and tan, and that he is a very big dog; and when he isn't working he is a very friendly dog who keeps a close eye on me so I don't run into any unexpected trouble. I can read and write in Braille now, and I also can cook and do most of my household chores; if I have any trouble, then I can have my neighbor come and rescue me. I am glad to say that my leg is finally all healed; but whenever the weather is going to change, it hurts, and I have to take something to help relieve the pain. I am walking unassisted, and I am slowly working up my speed in my walking and working on getting back into shape. Since I have been laid up, I have gained weight, and I look like a little butterball (or so people have told me; and I know that too because my clothes don't fit me any more; and I have to get some new clothes that I can wear!)!
I get disability now because of my blindness, and that is okay, but I would much rather work. The Lion's Club and also the Tennessee Department of Rehabilitation will help me find a job that I can do, and it will be a good way for me to get out of the house. I am getting bored of sitting around doing nothing but chores or taking care of my dog or learning my way around with my guide dog and trying to make sure he pays attention at all times or I can quickly get into trouble!
Ever since I was injured in that tornado last year, I have had an incredible fear of storms; and every time I hear that it is going to storm or I hear thunder, I get scared, and I panic; and I think that there is going to be another tornado. Last year was a very bad year; and I don't think I will ever forget it, especially since it was the tornado that caused my predicament (my becoming blind) in the first place!
I saw Mother and Father over Christmas, and they were at my house for over a month. It was so good to have them visit me; but they were upset about my being blind and being hurt; and they did their best to make things easier for me; but I could tell that they were bothered over what had happened. They want me to go back with them to Japan, and I would love to, but I am happy here in America (even with all this mess involving the tornado outbreak from last year!), and I would miss my friends that I have made here! They still have been asking me to go back to Japan, and I have told them repeatedly that I am happy here; and I don't know why they want me to go back to my homeland when I have better opportunities to succeed here in America!
Louisiana Sandusky, that little nurse who took such great care of me when I was in the hospital, still comes over, and she regularly takes me shopping, either for groceries, clothes, or whatever I may need; and she regularly brings me Braille books from the local library, which I appreciate very much, as she knows that I am a very avid reader (or now, in this case, listener, unless I am reading Braille; then I read with my fingers; and I can figure out what the story is about by the placements of the dots in the book!)! She wrote a book late last year about her family, and they recently went to Alaska for two weeks and had the best time. I am glad for her, but I wish I could get out more than I do, and I wish I were not so dependent on other people to help me!
Well, that is all that is new, nothing much to speak of. I really don't do a lot except read (or listen to) books, cook, take walks with my dog, "Bandit", or talk to my mother and father on the phone once a week; and also pay my bills. I am still paying off my horrendous hospital bill, and I guess I will be doing this for a very long time to come!
I will write more when I can; I just wanted to let you know that I am still around and am doing much better!
~Love, Michiko Osaka.
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Reviewed by Simon Thurlow
5/30/2004
I often wonder how you keep track of so many different characters too. You must have one hell of a memory !!
domo arigato :) enjoyed this story very much, thank you...japanese culture has always been fascinating to me, as has learning about different disabilities and ways to cope with them. combined, this makes for enthralling reading! well done!
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