Hello everyone,
If you have not read my story Special Thoughts During Holidays I hope you take the time to read.
You can read about some very special and meaningful thoughts that come up for me each Thanksgiving, Christmas and New years. You might relate to some of my thoughts, or maybe they will bring back memories you have? We have quite a few great comments you can read as well. Read Special Thoughts During Holidays.
One thought that came out of topic is some disabled might have special challenges during the holidays. There are a great variety of obstacles we can talk about and help each other out with I am sure. I want to start us out by talking about how the disabled might decorate a Christmas tree.
Since I am blind my prospective might be different than others facing different challenges or obstacles. I look forward to hearing other’s thoughts so I can learn.
I will talk about one of my easier challenges around a tradition for me that occurs each Christmas.
Decorating a Christmas Tree With No Eyesight
I live in the US and with my religious practices one tradition some people have during Christmas is putting up a Christmas tree. Once the tree is up we decorate the tree in many different ways; I think each family has their own style and type of decorations they put on the tree. The variety of decorations or ornaments is endless.
I just finished decorating our Christmas tree. If you are not blind you might wonder how you can decorate a Christmas tree without any eyesight.
I personally decorate the tree by feel. To decorate the tree I put down both of my canes; my long white cane and my support cane I use for stability. I have neuropathy and muscle problems in both legs. I store all decorations in multiple smaller cardboard boxes all within a larger plastic tote. I then open one cardboard box; reach in and feel what decoration type I might have. It could be a brightly multi-colored glass fancy ornament with some special shape. It could be a solid colored plain round glass ornament. It could be many other shapes made from many types of materials, including wood, metal, plastic or even cloth. I never know what I will find when I reach into each box and pull out an ornament. Some times the decorations are delicate and are individually boxed or wrapped with tissue paper. After first feeling the ornament I make sure the ornament has a hook on it so I can hang it on a branch. Prior to starting this project I have strategically placed the package of extra hooks so I can get to easily when I need. Then with an ornament in hand I slowly walk towards the tree with no canes; I have the larger plastic tote close so I do not have to walk far. When I find the tree I search for a suitable branch where I do not feel a cluster of other ornaments too close together to place the ornament. When searching for this suitable spot I slowly side step around the tree feeling all over the tree, up and down, and from side to side. After I place that ornament on the tree branch I go back to the box; once I find and continue this process, box after box until I have completed emptying all boxes. I will need to take multiple brakes to rest my back during my decorating experience. After hours of decorating the tree my back is hurting. At times I want to quit, but I press on and on. When I am finished and all boxes are empty I make sure I do not have any ornaments too close to each other by going all around the tree and feeling every inch of the tree and adjusting where needed. Very time consuming, but extremely gratifying!! I would not miss this pleasure each year for anything.
Then the real enjoyment comes when family and friends come over to share in each others caring and thoughtful company. My family and friends while over can enjoy the visual festive tree I have created with no visuals myself.
Does anyone have any special challenges with possible solutions that come up during the holidays you want to share? Need any help we can assist with? We would all love to hear from you.
Look forward to hearing from you All.
Bill Tipton
Contributing Author,
Global Dialogue Center
http://www.globaldialoguecenter.com/
Comments