Resolve to Learn

I am a little slow in posting my Resolutions for the Year. I like to keep them simple -- small improvements helps us feel movement and growth without overwhelm. Resolution #1 is to Increase my Learning in my Blind Skills.
My friend, who also has Retinitis Pigmentosa, refers to it as a great way to go blind! Well, I appreciate his optimism and have tried to embrace that thinking -- I smile whenever I think of him saying that so excitedly when we first met. You've got RP, that is the best way to go blind! His reasoning was that it gives you time to prepare and adjust to each new phase - although you just don't know when that next adjustment is going to come. Some would say we can be a challenging group as we have a little bit of vision and at times think it is more than it really is until *smack* or as I have realized - I am not reading for enjoyment and learning as I'd like to do. The last month or so has brought on some additional decline in vision (when there is a peephole, it seems each even slight decline = a few new changes/adjustments). I am sorting through the adaptations that I need to make. When walking became dangerous without a mobility tool, I started cane training and then a guide dog followed 13 years ago. One of the best decisions I have made in the blindness journey. I have been making the adjustment to embrace more speech products and pull out my blind skills to that next level. I attended classes at the blind center several years ago and may need a 'refresher course'. In yoga tonight as we were invited to set our intention for the practice and select something we needed to let go of what popped into my head was "print". I am such a visual learner - I can picture braille all in my head -- being able to read it by touch is still a challenge although it is coming touch by touch. I still want to pull out a manual and read it to learn my Victor Reader. Linda will say ... just listen. As I set the Resolution to Learn my next skill set, I know specifics is helpful and I am more apt to complete if I have posted it held accountable. I would like to read (through my Victor Reader) 12 books this year, including the Book of Mormon in this format. My current reads are: Three Cups of Tea and Homeland. Any book that you would recommend? I am going to try to get back to my book club on a regular basis as that helps me to be motivated to read. I also plan to get Jaws program for my computer and embrace my block in learning it! I have gotten by with Zoomtext and it is my friend (easy to use). However, it is time to advance to the next level. I know, sigh, there is growth in stretching and learning. My mantra has always been to embrace the tools available.
As this next drop in vision has happened, I am grateful to Cricket. She hasn't missed a beat and simply has more job security in a career she loves. I also feel grateful to be in a career that I love and can easily make some simple adjustments so that I can continue on with my work and that feels great! I was involved in a seminar today that offered some helpful new tools for my clients. I'm excited to share.
I love to learn and resolve to commit 30 minutes a day to increase my blind skill set.