I have an iPad. It has become one of my most important tools for some of my diabetic needs. I know most of you, young people, have all sorts of 'toys'. Well, this is my first.
Being a diabetic for 70 years has done some damage in my retina. In spite of doing 'every thing right', there is still some damage from lack of oxygenation and other things we don't fully understand yet. My early treatments for diabetic retinopathy were back from the stone age (1960's). How blessed I was to be again, on the cusp of new things, to have this archaic treatment without which I would have gone blind. These treatments or procedures consisted of Argon and Krypton laser. I was in an experimental program which was a God send even though a bolt was shot straight into the optic nerve of the left eye. They had to discontinue my participation since I no longer fit the protocol as the eye had suffered a 'stroke' in that nerve. It is what gives me double vision today, still. It still saved that eye from blindness as the other laser cauteries stopped the hemorrhaging in that eye.
In later years, due to cataracts and more degeneration I went through a period of legal blindness (20/200) for about 5 years. Then with more modern treatment and removal of cataracts, became 20/40 and able to drive again. I do wear special glasses for reading but at least I CAN READ! (IF I HOLD THE COPY UP VERY CLOSE AND WEAR MY SPECIAL GLASSES!)
Sometimes though, glasses don't work unless one is a contortionist. For instance, if I have a problem with a toe or part of my foot, I can NOT bend down far enough to get my face, with glasses, to the offending place. So, I take a picture with the iPad, then put the picture up to my face with my glasses on and Hooray! Can tell if I have to address the issue. I often take pictures of my toes, to see if I need a pedicure or to get the color changed!
I can use the iPad for some really small print. Even with my glasses for reading, some print is ridiculous, especially on medication directions. Of course I do a great del of Googling so I can enlarge the medication on line myself but sometimes the iPad is quicker. Take the picture and then enlarge it on the iPad screen.
You may be wondering howI can drive if I can't read so many small directions, etc. Well, my vision is indeed 20/40 but...there's no detail. I know there's a cow in the road but can't tell you the breed. I know there's a person crossing the street but can't see the face. I see all the cars, trucks etc., but can't tell you the make and model. That's why the special glasses for reading. Picture writing a phrase on a paper napkin. Then take it and crinkle it up tight and open it again It's difficult to read it as the letters are all askew. THATS the problem.
I know many people have other devices From what I understand we may be able to use some of them for tracking and even taking blood sugar readings from a 'chip' beneath the skin. Oh boy, do I look forward to that! After all these years of pricking my fingers (started when glucose meters came out n the 80's, I think) we/re talking about 36 years. That's a lot of finger sticking. Still, after more than 30 years keeping control by using urine tests which only let you know what you blood glucose was several hours ago, it was worth it.
I've been on the cusp of new things for diabetics all my life.
I must tell you. Since I've been unable to dance ballroom for the past year or so, I decided the only way for me to be satisfied having music in my life without feeling depressed with not dancing , was to take piano lessons. But there seemed to be no way for me to be able to learn to read music and I did want that. Always wanted that.
My awesome nephew Jim came to one of my piano lessons. He observed what my challenges were. He said,
"Let me take care of this."
I still feel teary as I share this. Jim went to Best Buy and bought a 32" tv. He bought an Apple adapter to connect the tv screen to my iPad by air dropping. Now my piano y teacher sends me a file from her phone to my iPad into my 'Music Folder'. I then air drop it onto the big screen which is mounted at eye level behind the keyboard. I can enlarge the music by moving the text or music on the iPad. I AM LEARNING TO READ MUSIC!
What a wonder. How blessed am I.
More thoughts to share next post.
Good Night.
No comments:
Post a Comment