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Hobbies, Sports and Pastimes A Guide to help Visually Impaired People by Anne Sunman When your vision is taken from you, either suddenly or gradually, what happens to your leisure time? Can you continue cherished leisure activities? Perhaps not in the way you have been accustomed, or perhaps not at all, BUT you can re-learn or discover something new. It is fascinating and "mind boggling" to discover what unsighted people take on. Football, jet-skiing and ten pin bowling to name but a few. Many charities and other organisations support and aid VIPs in participating in activities and indeed local, national and international events are organised. MOTTO: "If a sighted person can do it then so can I!" I have tackled the following five skills in the last two years with periods of frustration but also feelings of personal satisfaction and steps towards returning to a level of independence.
READING Knowledge of Braille I believed to be essential and a workable level probably took about 12 months. Reading by Braille gives independence and pleasure, and a great selection is held at the National Library for the Blind. Braille can have many other uses in general everyday life such as labelling stickers in the home, operating instructions, recipes and reading to children. When I received Christmas and birthday cards with Braille messages the feeling was fantastic. FAMILY GAMES A lot of satisfaction and pleasure is given to the family and friends with the playing of board and card games. We have invested in Monopoly, playing cards, dominoes and Scrabble with Braille embossment to give us a start. Many others are available as is a crossword puzzle board game should you prefer to play alone. COMPUTER SKILLS Talking computers have enabled me to communicate in letter or email formats, write articles and leaflets. I am even learning to "surf the net". ARTS and CRAFTS Enrolment in a part-time Adult Education class has introduced me to crochet and has also returned me to my sighted hobby of tapestry, although at a much slower pace. HEALTH and FITNESS The joining of a health club has given me two activity sessions a week to try to keep the body trim. Participation in classes is also possible as is the meeting of other members. I have explored other activities and hope to follow some in the future. But in the meantime I have compiled an alphabetical suggestion list, which hopefully will give aspiration; some are light-hearted but all have been tried and tested by visually impaired men and women. Archery could be your target Build up the Bridge Chess could give you a checkmate Don't forget the Dominoes Eat socially and well with friends Fit the bill with Fitness Golf drive to the green Husband bashing (not suitable for men) I.T. is IN. Join the club of your choice Knitting keeps kids cosy Learn a Language, it could get holidays going Make a Mosaic masterpiece Needles and threads sew nice things Open Learning is an open door to all Pass the Pottery made personally on the potter's wheel Quickstep or Waltz with your chosen partner Rug making round the fire Spell it out with Scrabble Tandem cycle together Ucould learn to play the ukulele V.I.P.s are Very Innovative People Walk and explore with family and friends Xylophone tapping could be the key Yoga - is it for you? Zzz after all this activity will be needed too! How do I chose and then get started?
Anne Sunman recently became blind unexpectedly. As a wife and mother she and her family have had huge adjustments to make in their lives. Anne has written this leaflet after reflecting on her first eighteen months of blindness, and hopes that it will help others who may experience similar problems. End of text |