Today is one filled with mixed emotions, concerns and thoughts. Today, 18th January 2015 is the last working day for my guide dog Vicky. We have been working together as a qualified team since 18th November 2009, and it has been an amazing 5
03
Sep 2016
So….. Today, this happened !!
It’s almost 11.00 o’clock, 12 hours after this crazy day started. The climbing arena was nothing like I had ever seen before and no matter how much I had researched and looked at photo after photo I was not prepared for the quarry that I
02
Sep 2016
Maybe I Should have said something before…..
Well, this is something new……. I am sat in the passenger seat of my friends car doing 70+ MPH on the M6 Motorway travelling on my way to Edinburgh; while typing this blog. My iPad is tethered to my phone for 4G and my voiceover
19
Jun 2018
Faith
While with a group of friends today we were talking about faith. Discussing it and questioning what our understanding of it is. One comment made about one way to look at faith was If you’re sat on a chair, you hold faith that THAT chair
22
Apr 2013
St George’s Day sewing marathon
So, tomorrow is St George’s Day and at 2.40 this afternoon my daughters school sent out a text message to say that any Beavers, Rainbows, Brownies etc are free to wear their uniforms instead of school uniform… With full badges! This created 2 panics…. 1)
06
Sep 2016
Positivity breeds Positivity
I wanted to take a moment to share some of the comments I have received from my posts over the weekend.
Many of them I have read and re-read, it isn’t easy to accept a compliment…. I want to thank you all for your words, for sharing my blog and for believing in me. I held off telling you all about the competition as my anxiety and fear was screaming at me. I almost pulled out; but someone wouldn’t let me! Even with what amounted to over 20 hours of driving in 3 days …
03
Sep 2016
So….. Today, this happened !!
It’s almost 11.00 o’clock, 12 hours after this crazy day started. The climbing arena was nothing like I had ever seen before and no matter how much I had researched and looked at photo after photo I was not prepared for the quarry that I had just stepped in to.
Not only was the area large but it sounded very busy. Descending the staircase in to the climbing area seemed to reduce the noise and although there were hundreds of children around for a competition of their own I suddenly felt like I was the only one there.
Having never competed before, I was blind to what was about to happen. (More so than usual)
Registration was completed and score cards handed out and it was at that point, more than yesterday, the realisation of what was about to happen hit home.
Fizz seemed to sense all this and although I hadn’t moved, she gently nuzzled her nose against my leg as if to say “You’ve got this mum.”
The three climb routes for my category were explained and it was time to get started. The judges were also the ones who belayed on each of the routes; which was where I lost my climbing partner. As he donned a yellow ‘Climb Scotland’ tabbard and became a belay/judge on what would be my second climb.
I won’t bore you with a blow by blow account but to give you an idea, at each climb I had one attempt to get as high as possible. Maximum points were awarded if you topped out (go to the top of the climb) and worked backwards from there.
First climb was pretty straight forward and short. The second climb started in a pitched crag which in itself is the sort of climb that I would avoid doing and that is before you add in; that these are walls I have never seen, never felt and most certainly have never climbed.
My one fear in the competition, was that I would be disqualified for touching the wrong colour hold on a climb, but each of the climbs that I tackled today were set in such a way that the colour I had to climb was the only one I could.
I faced my fear and got myself out of the crag and without even realising it, managed to get my body length above it; it wasn’t the top but it felt ten times better to me.
The third climb just seemed to be a non starter, there were hand holds that I could reach from the ground but no where to put my feet so relying on the wall that was at a 90 degree angle to the one I was climbing, I managed to get my feet to where my hands had started.
This was pipped as the hardest of the three climbs and again was a personal achievement for me, I managed to climb about a third of the wall. This may not sound much but when the wall tops out at around twenty five meters, I think you will agree that’s pretty good.
At this point I was tired and sore and a little bit battered from my climbs. But it wasn’t time to go home, it was time to tackle three bouldering problems.
Those who know me will tell you the struggles that bouldering brings. Usually there is no rope for this type of climb and just a squigy mat to break your fall. Being under competition rules, even the bouldering was top roped which helped me to feel safer on the wall and able to move without restriction; because if I went for a hold and missed, I wouldn’t hit the mat. I was safe on my rope and so was able to push a little further.
Saying that, I am not too proud to admit that the bouldering was the most challenging part for me. One of the problems wrapped around a knife edge style three dimensional surface and all I was able to see was the tip of the wall in front of me.
My final bouldering problem was hell. Just like my final climb, there were no holds for my feet, just features on the wall and the route I was to follow was set no more than one meter from the ground, it was set in such a way that I was to traverse (move across the wall sideways) until a point that the holds went beneath and overhang and had I got this far, I would have found myself upside down with my back parallel to the floor.
I was done, in more ways than one;
My fingers hurt….
My palm were blistered…..
And I had been so tense that standing up straight made my leg shake.
My scorecard went in and it was time to wait…..
The younger climbers I had mentioned earlier were competing in a speed climb, with two climbers on the same wall. The aim was to get to the top not just first but also in the quickest time. With everyone else having stopped, or cooling down, the speed climbers had everyone’s attention. It sounded amazing and the cheers and applause rang around the arena.
It was now time to announce the winners. Within paraclimbing there are seven categories, my category is listed as PC4. The male PC4 winners were announced first and up each of them went to be awarded first, second and third.
The PC4 female category was announced and it felt like a thick fog had filled the room. The hosts words seemed to come out in slow motion as he announced “first place goes to Theresa Osborne-Bell…” I didn’t hear anything after this yet found myself stepping up on the podium along with my faithful friend Fizz and being presented with a certificate, a glass trophy and some climb Scotland goodies.
There was a mixture of applause and awwws echoing in my ears while me and Fizz stood for our photograph. Walking back to my seat I heard words of congratulations and well done from the people I walked past.
So what next?
I am now set to compete again to gain a ranking to climb as part of the 2017 Paraclimbing Team GB.
So watch this space….
02
Sep 2016
Maybe I Should have said something before…..
Well, this is something new…….
I am sat in the passenger seat of my friends car doing 70+ MPH on the M6 Motorway travelling on my way to Edinburgh; while typing this blog. My iPad is tethered to my phone for 4G and my voiceover is bluetoothed through the car stereo. So I need to be careful with what I type, as my driver can hear EVERY word.
So, why am I travelling to Edinburgh?
After an already long car journey I am beginning to ask myself the very same question.
We are making this journey because through the powers of networking on Facebook, I was put in touch with a climber who has a visual impairment, like me. It just so happens that this climber is a member on the Paraclimbing team for Great Britain….
Can you see where I am going with this?
THIS IS MY NEXT CHALLENGE!
I am not just meeting with him for coffee, I am actually travelling all this way to take a chance; to take my opportunity to maybe, just maybe, be something much bigger than me. Something that will show my children that my disability hasn’t stopped me from going after a dream. That actually for the past two and a half years my climbing skills may actually get me somewhere.
If you haven’t guessed already, I shall explain.
I am travelling to Edinburgh, because tomorrow at 11am I shall be entering into the 2017 Paraclimbing team competition within the sensory loss category. Which is taking place at The Edinburgh International Climbing Arena….
Hence the 440 odd mile drive!
And actually, as I type this, the realisation of what I am doing Has FINALLY dawned on me.
” Tomorrow I will be competing to join the GB Paraclimbing Team!”
TOMORROW, I WILL BE COMPETING TO JOIN THE TEAM GB PARACLIMBING TEAM!
WoW ….. Tomorrow, I WILL BE …..
Oh my DOG, I am actually doing this ……
09
Jul 2016
Clumsy blonde or should that be blindie?
Those of you who have followed me will know that I am A Mac!
This came about long before the iPhone, long before even the iPod. This came from the days (way back when) a Mac was used for all things design and a PC was used for all things administrative.
Being that my Honours Degree is in Design Studies and a large part of that was graphic design, I got through university with a G4 (the most powerful Mac of its time)
The whole idea of an iPhone scared me, how could a visually impaired person use a phone without a keypad? It was only once Nokia decided to remove Nuanse Talks from its new phones that I was forced towards the iPhone…… And I got on with it very easily, very easily indeed.
So, when my partner at the time had a bit of a payout, he bought me an iPad. I loved it, it was fantastic and for the past few years with a wireless keyboard I have used this more than my MacBook Pro.
So, it wouldn’t surprise you that I took it into the garden to do some work. Only to drop it!
It hit the patio with a thump and the screen broke….. I cried….. I screamed at myself….. And then I began to panic, thankfully everything on my iPad was backed up to iCloud, but how would I be able to buy a new one? How would I manage without it?
Then, thankfully, I remembered that it was one of the items I had specified on my home insurance. So, a relitively painless phone call later, the call handler informed me that it was indeed covered on my insurance and for the price of my excess, I would receive a new iPad Air within 7-10 working days!
That was the longest 2 weeks of my life, although the newer versions of iPad do not have the same weight to them of the older versions….. So am trying to get so used to how light it feels !!
Since it arrived though, I have turned on the voiceover and apart from when the kids are using it for ‘bug club’ or ‘mathletics’ EVERYTHING I do on is accessible and audio based.
Theresa Osborne-Bell |
No comments | Tags: accessibility, Feelings, independence, iPhone, Touch, training, VIP
23
Jun 2016
When help came with its own terms !!
I was invited to meet friends for a drink. They suggested somewhere new, somewhere I have never been before……
Sure, no trouble, have pooch, can travel.
Only when it came to the date, pooch was off work with a water infection.
My anxiety was telling me to cancel, but my stubbornness was telling me I could do this, worst case, I could always ask for assistance once there if needed.
So, off I went with my cane, found the pub and the entrance….
Light levels at this time of year mean that even when it is raining, it is very bright light (to me anyway, maybe not to everyone)
I focused in on the bar and was doing alright. I stood by the bar enjoying my drink and allowing my eyes to adjust to the interior light. This was a bit of a struggle as each of the tables had a church candle on it, causing me go struggle to work out if the table was empty or had people sat around.
When a voice came up beside me,
Hello miss, can I help you find a table?
Thank you, yes if I could …..
But I never got to finish before the older gentleman grabbed for my hand and started walking with me.
I was lost for words initially, then managed
can I please take your arm, rather than you hold my hand?”
To which he let go of my hand; I thought he was going to offer me his arm, instead he turned to face me and in an annoyed tone said,
If you aren’t happy with me helping you, I won’t bother at all!
Before walking off……
I was lost for words, I hadn’t meant to cause offence, but anyone who has ever been guided before, would tell you that holding an arm gives you the ability to understand and follow the movement of your guide. Holding their hand can make you feel like your being dragged.
Thankfully the barmaid came to my aid, apologised for her rude customer and guided me to a nice table, where I was able to sit before my friends arrived.
I am always appreciative of help, if I didn’t want the help I would have said ‘no thank you’ straight out, I also appreciate that those who offer assistance do not know me, may not know how to best help. I do get that, but to have this reaction was a new one for me….. I guess that’s just another one to add to the ‘funny things that happen when you are blind’ list.
22
May 2016
To blog, or not to blog……. It shouldn’t have ever been a question!
Thankfully I am the thick-skinned stubborn gal I am…. Although even I found myself getting upset by it all.
Those of you who have followed my blog, know that I can be strong and determined in print, where, spoken word may often fail me.
This blog isn’t to anger you, it isn’t to slate a company, thankfully it was all due to the opinion of a minority. My reason for sharing is to give the FULL picture of the whole situation.
And hopefully, a small part of me hopes that this reaches someone who may not have a good understanding of ‘blindness’ – This may help to educate about how ‘off-hand comments’ may have a much greater effect.
How it all started….. I had a rare Saturday to myself, no plans, no children and as the sun was shining, I was up early and feeling ready to make the most of the day.
So, off to Whiteley I went; it’s not the easiest of places to get to if you don’t drive, but with the sun shining I didn’t mind the 20 minute walk from the station, I also knew that Mizz Fizz would enjoy the long leg stretch.
Being just after 9am when we arrived it was lovely and quiet, perfect for me, it meant I could ‘mooch’ about, take my time and know that it wouldn’t be too busy.
When training with a guide dog, my GDMI explained that shops can be difficult for a guide dog to work, many factors add to this, the smaller spaces, the extra obstacles and mostly ME. As everyone does, when I shop I am constantly starting and stopping…. That can be a real struggle for a guide dog, so it is advised that if I can (in that I feel safe doing so) I should drop harness and walk with Fizz on her lead. This means she can relax, not become stressed by the situation and I can take my time.
I went to a shop I LOVE, there is stationary, gifts, nic-nacs and most of all; being a large chain, the layout is pretty much the same whether you’re in a London store or as I was, in Whiteley.
This ‘familiarity’ is a great help to me. So…. In we went and down went the harness. I was able to use the quietness of the store to focus in on the colourful displays, a member of staff came over to ask if he could be of assistance. “Thanks for the offer, but I’m just having a look around.” Was my polite reply. And off he went.
I moved around a display and that was when I caught his conversation with his colleague.
And I found myself almost frozen to the spot in shock. I wanted to run out of the store, but curiosity also made me want to stay and hear it all.
“I have never seen a proper blind person with a guide dog, she can clearly see, she isn’t even using the dog, she’s picking up things and having a good look at them.”
“I think it’s all a con so people can just bring their pet dogs into the shops.”
His colleague was clearly trying to hush him, he was talking in a quieter whisper, but as my eyes fail me, my ears pick up the slack….. Hence how I was able to hear this.
I did move away, to pick up a gift for a friend, I then went up to the counter to pay for my purchases. I was hoping I would be served by his colleague, but sadly it was not to be.
He made small talk while he served me, asking my plans for the day and such. It took a lot for me to talk and smile as if I had not heard a thing, but I did.
I managed to keep it together until reaching a coffee shop, where I found myself shaken and beginning to feel angry. Not with his comments, but with my inability to say something, to stand up.
So instead I sat down with a coffee and put the words down in an email.
I was a wreck, so much so I will share with you how personal and detailed I found myself becoming in my email.
Please bear with me, it’s quite lengthy !!
Hello. Allow me to introduce myself, I am a bit of a stationary addict who happens to be visually impaired and relies on my faithful guide dog Fizz to allow me to live my life to the fullest. Today I visited your Whiteley store to have a good ‘look’ around and pick up some gift wrap.
I was approached by a member of staff and asked if I would like any assistance, I said thanks, but that I was ok for now. He left and returned to his colleague at the counter, I continued to look around he store, when I overheard his conversation.
This caused me great upset, but I am also stubborn and was not going to let it show that I had heard. I purchased some gift wrap and on my receipt the name of my server was *********
I have a visual impairment, but where my eyes fail me, my ears step up, this mixed with it being an incredibly quiet store I heard him speak (even though I think he thought it was a whisper)
He was talking to his colleague about how he felt it was all a con, he had never seen a real blind person in the store with a guide dog, she (me I assume) is looking at things, walking around, she isn’t blind, she just wants to bring her pet dog in.
His colleague did try to quiet him, without luck. And I moved away so that I could hide my upset at his accusations.
I am sat with a coffee and voiceover on my phone typing this email. And still feeling sick, I am not one for confrontation, so am writing this email instead.
I am visually impaired, I am registered as disabled and the class of my registration is ‘severely sight impaired’ I have a condition that I have less than 6% of my vision left, which means I have pretty much no peripheral sight. Today I was wearing glasses, these are just to help reduce the glare from the bright sunny day. The sight I do have left does not enable me to read the top line on the eye chart at the hospital, where I go annually to have my degenerate condition monitored.
I should not need to be explaining any of this to you, yet I am.
In a shop environment I focus in on colour and in a store such as ********** I find the layout with the big tables and shelving units very easy to negotiate, it can be hard in any shop to work a guide dog (this is where I am holding both the lead and the harness) this is as it is usually a narrower space and one that she would struggle with. So I take it slowly and just hold her lead.
I did appreciate the initial offer of help, and many times when help is offered I will accept it, but on a day when it is quiet and I am able to ‘mooch about’ like others I do.
I will not be returning to your Whiteley store. I find it hard that at a time when access for working dogs is not just legislation, but actually forms part of the 2010 law on disability discrimination that someone would feel the need to even question my need for such a mobility aid, all be it a four pawed breathing, thinking mobility aid.
Very few of the 50,000 guide dog owners in the uk have no usable vision, as a person who will one day most likely lose even the little bit I have, I want to be able to keep my independence and freedom. I enjoy shopping and today I have been deeply upset and angered by the conversation and judgemental attitude of your staff.
I would like for a senior member of staff to speak him and make him aware of the impact on his comments. I will be sending a copy of this email to my local guide dog mobility team.
It was very difficult for me to make small talk when he served me, he has completely ruined my experience and made me feel like I don’t have the right to be independent.
I shall now be going home instead of continuing with my day, I will also be reflecting on this incident and when I am not as emotional shall write about it in my blog (address below)
Thank you for taking the time to read my email, I would appreciate hearing an explanation of the situation.
I have removed details of the store and servers name….. The reason for this is because of the response I have had from my email.
The Customer service team promptly replied informing me that my email had been passed to senior staff and that a full investigation would soon be started. The customer service team reassured me that they were horrified on my behalf for the situation I experienced and wished to ensure that this didn’t happen again to me or any other customer.
I received several emails updating me and then came the one where they asked for my telephone number. This was so that a company director could call me to ensure that I was ok.
It made me nervous and anxious, but I gave my number and awaited the call. I have never had this response to a customer complaint before and didn’t know what to expect.
The following day the director called, he was a very kind and friendly gentleman, he apologised profusely on behalf of the company, he explained that is was not the ‘company opinion’ and I did say I was aware that by the tone aid the store staff member that this was clearly HIS opinion. The director asked me if I would give the combat a second chance? Would I shop in a different one of their stores, he fully understood that I wasn’t happy to return to the store in Whiteley. He said that he had not as yet spoke to the staff member, he was awaiting a report by the area manager who would be conducting the investigation personally.
The director didn’t quiz me (which was what I expected) He just kept apologising for the way in which I had been treated.
He thanked me for taking his call and said that I would be updated as and when the investigation was concluded.
His call was followed up by an email for customer service asking for my address, so that a ‘good will’ gift could be sent to me. I had explained o the phone, that I didn’t do any of this to get something in return, which the director said he understood, but he appreciated me sharing my experience with him and the company. Several weeks later an email arrived, (without going into details) stating that following a full and thorough investigation, the appropriate actions had been taken.
AND IT IS FOR THIS FOLLOW UP BY BOTH CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THE COMPANY DIRECTOR THAT I AM NOT NAMING NAMES.
I wanted to share my experience so that others were aware, how an ‘of Han:’ .omment can caus3 great upset to others.
