"Yes I Can" Blog

Last time I talked about the challenges of using a public bathroom. At home, it is easier because you know where the sink is and how it operates. You know where the towel is. You know where the toilet is and how it flushes. You know where the toilet paper is. Although more familiar, I’d […]

Imagine you are at a restaurant or the mall and need to use the restroom. Chances are when in unfamiliar surroundings, you have had to ask someone, “Where is the restroom?” That’s the first step. Ideally, the one you ask, or a friend offers to take you. It’s wonderful when friends realize the problems a […]

UPDATE: Before talking about Helen Keller, I want to report a phone call from Be My Eyes. If this is the first time you have heard these words, check out previous blogs #23, #32, and #33. I got a phone call from a man trying to read his thermostat. What temperature was it set for […]

Sunglasses are so very important. Remember the quiz about sunglasses (link to #30)? Here are more tips for choosing sunglasses. These might help prevent macular degeneration. The American Academy of Ophthalmology also has tips: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/top-sunglasses-tips    1. UV Protection: The most important feature of a pair of sunglasses is that the lenses provide 100% protection […]

My husband, Harry, got his first Be My Eyes call. “Gratifying” was the way he described it. After accepting the call, the one with low vision wanted to use a yellow spice. Harry told her, “The one in your hand is brown.” She held up another plastic storage container and took off the lid. “That […]

Want to feel super good helping someone with low vision? All you need is a smartphone and be willing to sign up for the app, Be My Eyes. With the use of your phone, you can help someone with low vision. They point their phone at whatever it is they are trying to see. They […]

Sunglasses that block 100 percent of UVA and UVB light rays are much more expensive than other sunglasses.  False. You can’t judge how well sunglasses block ultraviolet light by the price. You can buy expensive designer glasses that don’t have good protection. Read the label to see if the lenses block 100% of UVA and UVB […]

How can I tell whether sunglasses sold at drugstores will protect my eyes? In a previous blog, I talked about sunglasses for protection against macular degeneration.  (Reduce Risk) I don’t remember Millie wearing sunglasses before she lost her vision. Just like we didn’t know the importance of sunscreen protecting our skin, we didn’t know about […]

Readers, do you remember my mention of the Be My Eyes app (#23)? Yesterday I received my second help call. Both times I didn’t get to my phone in time to answer the call. So, both times the call was forwarded to someone else. What a disappointment because I was excited to be eyes to […]

Additional news and resources with information I haven’t included on the resources page or in the #17 blog. Www.webrn-maculardegeneration.com Fantastic site with lots of information. There is an option on this site to subscribe to a newsletter to get updates. Under the “resources and help” section (in the column on the left) are links for […]