Wood/ craft hobby for Visually Impaired
Just hoping to get some ideas here. My mother-in-law lives with us; she has macular degeneration and is legally blind (meaning she has very slight vision). She mentioned today she would like to have a hobby, something to do with her time instead of just trying to watch TV which she can barely see anyway. When she was younger she was very creative, doing craft stuff, painting, etc. My shop generates so much scrap wood, I feel like she could so something creative with it if given some ideas. (My wife says no sharp tools; MIL is 75, and slightly accident prone.)
Even creative ideas that don’t involve wood would be helpful. I checked the web for “Hobbies for Sight Impaired” but didn’t find anything useful. Do any of you have friends’ or relatives in the same condition that have managed to find something productive to do with their hands and time? Any suggestions appreciated, as always.
Gary
Replies
Gary;
Your query is kind of a tough one. I am rooting for your MIL though. A couple ideas occur to me.
What about writing? A voice recognition program and a good typist could get the ball rolling.
Considering that you are a woodworker perhaps your MIL could be involved in the final sanding and/or finishing of some of your projects? That might be fun if you keep the pace comfortable.
When my son was young I used to set him to work on the shaving horse as that is pretty safe... it seems like simple spindles and such might be formed by feel with just a bit of practice.
This may not work for your situation Gary but here I could use someone to pet the chickens (and other fowl). They grow up kinda wild because I don't have time to handle them enough when they are small.
I found an abandoned kitten while on a fishing outing recently and it is an amazing glutton for hugs and pets... I have found it to be very satisfying company. Maybe your MIL would have interest in training dogs (or other critters) I know several people who have raised puppies for seeing eye dogs (the schools recruit volunteers to raise the dogs and then have them professionally trained before they are paired with an owner/client). There are a few special pet stores who provide hand raised birds. These are the product of a lot of love and care and not to be compared with cage raised birds... perhaps there is such a place near you that could use some help with raising birds or other sweet creatures.
Well I've just been thinking online here Gary but maybe I have hit on an idea that will ring bells for you or spark some new directions for you and your MIL. My best to you all... happy holidays!
Clay
Great post Clay!
Thanks Peter;
I am just bumping this so that maybe we'll get some more thoughts to work with.
Clay
Painting. Paint wooden kid's toys. Paint yard art. Paint landscapes on canvas. I think carving could be an option also. Hand held knives or chisels and use finger protectors to help keep the number of cuts down.
Hi Gary,
Back in the 70's I used to date a Sicilian girl who had a blind grandfather, affectionately known as Pa. He could do all manner of things around the house, make/repair the fence, plant the garden, mow the lawn and trim the hedges.
He would ask me to lay out the first string line for his tomatoes in the garden. From that line he could set out all the others and the rows were straight as an arrow. All he needed was a starting point.
And, oh by the way, his spaghetti sauce was the greatest! He used to cook it himself in the basement. The shelves were lined with current newspapers so the jars were dated. He boiled, peeled and cooked the sauce all by himself. He also did all the canning!
I once came over for dinner and he asked me if I could go to the store for him to get a box of cigars for him. He gave me a $20 bill from his pocket of bills. I went to the store and got the cigars for him, $4.99 back then. On the way back I thought, I'll pull a trick on him and give him back change for $10. "Where's the other $10?, was his reply when I gave him back $5.01. Turns out he counted all denominations of his bills so he knew exactly how much of each he had!
On Thanksgiving we would decorate the front porch with lights and garland wrapped around posts and rails. Yes they were all perfectly spaced! Hammers and saws were not alien to him either.
Many times I wondered how he could do all the things he did. He told me one day, "My hands are my eyes. A good memory also helps."
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Gary, check with some of the organizations that work with the visually impaired in your area. You will be amazed at some of the things that these people can do, and the things they create. These organizations specialize in knowing how to interview her, find out her interests, and then locating the aids that she needs to assist her in a safe and creative hobby (or business). The ADA has triggered the development of even more aids for the impaired. If she liked hobby craft things in the past then she is certain to still have that creative interest, if you can find an outlet to channel her talents. Your workshop is like a diamond mine for her, just waiting to be mined for its gems. Talk to these organizations and ask them to help you find ways to assist her.
I have seen legally blind people work as 9-1-1 dispatchers using computer aided dispatching, and excel at it. Their resolve is impressive, and there are many aids available for them. One blind dispatcher that I knew in New York state, and was recognized nationally for his work, worked in a windowless basement. He loved to joke that his job was to lead everyone out of the office when they had a power failure as he never used the light anyway. Find a way to help her, you will both be awarded.
Woody
Nothing to do with woodworking but I'd say a job (with some sort of pay,, OK So for free if Grandmam is happy)
A Day Care Center.. OK so not sure about Insurance things.. BUT the kids whould have fun tryingto pull the 'wool' over somebody that cannot' see.. Then she grabs them... and I saw you stickin' your tongue out at me!
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