Handy hints for living with Low Vision
Hello fellow VIPs (Vision Impaired People). We often get asked “How do you keep safe in the kitchen and still turn out edible food?!”
We have compiled some tips and hints we have found invaluable. Of course, like most things, it will depend on your level of vision as to what suits you.
The first and most important thing to consider is to create CONTRAST. In other words, have a few different coloured chopping boards, knives, potato peelers, and any other item you use regularly. It’s easier to see a white potato if it is against a red chopping board and you are using a brightly coloured peeler and/or knife.
The next hint will help you manage boiling water. If, for example you want to drain a pot of potatoes, we suggest putting a colander in the sink and draining them into that. The same principle works for draining any liquid. When making tea or coffee always put the cup in the sink, so if you overfill the cup, there is no mess to clean up. Better still, if you have guests, tell them where everything is and let them make the drinks!
Another item we have found to be helpful is a dinner set with an upturn on the rim. These are readily available and stop that horrible feeling of losing your food over the edge of your plate and onto the table.
Various helpful devices are also available from Blind Low Vision NZ (BLVNZ) such as a liquid level indicator for the side of a mug, talking scales, and a talking thermometer.
Lastly, do try and keep your sense of humour if like me, you make Cardamon scones instead of Cinnamon. I saw a C, and instead of smelling to ensure the right ingredient, I guessed! Brown Sugar and Cardamon is not a good mix, and the scones were inedible. Lesson learnt.
Have a safe time and see you in the next newsletter.
Sue and Deb
Sight Support Trust, 0800 55 55 77, www.sightsupport.org.nz
To watch a short video on low vision aids and how best to use them, go to www.mdnz.org.nz/videos-to-watch-online
To browse the BLVNZ shop and order equipment go to https://shop.visionaustralia.org.nz/
