I’m walking down the sidewalk with a friend and swiftly move to the left to avoid a tree, oblivious humans, or an upcoming plant.
“But wait, how did you know that tree was there?”
“Well, I heard it!” Is often how I start the explanation of my spidy senses, better known as echo location.
I bring in soft, puffy, chewy, delicious chocolate chip cookies for my team…
“But wait, how did you bake these?” they ask.
So I launch into a discussion of cooking tools and methods used by blind people. It’s all about touch, my sense of smell, and correctly portioning out the ingredients, really.
“Man, your blue eyes are SOOO beautiful!”
With a little chuckle, I usually start this convo with “thanks so much! But they’re fake.” Which follows with gasps and, you guessed it, “WAIT, WHAAAAAT??!!!?”
I love talking about my scleral shells, how they were first crafted for me when I was seven, but need to get adjusted as my eye sockets and shape of my eyes change. Ocularists are true artists, crafting masterpieces with such precise details, they use a brush with bristles as fine as a piece of hair. Fun fact, my eyes haven’t grown since I was three, but my shells protect them, and give them that beautiful blue color you all have come to know and admire. 🙂 Check out this awesome article by The Atlantic to learn more about prosthetic eyes and scleral shells.
I bring up these scenarios not to make anyone feel bad or self-conscious, but because these everyday situations and questions are some of my favorite times to educate, bring awareness to the ways I adapt certain techniques, and to really show the world that blindness does not stop me or hold me back. If there’s a will, there’s most definitely a way!
In my first ever blog series, I want you all to take the lead and ask me the “but wait!” questions.
What have you always wanted to know? Has there been anything you have been afraid to ask?
Some of the topics I’ll cover are cooking, going to the grocery store, echo location, my downhill skiing adventures, and the other fun topics you guys come up with. Nothing is off limits here! Ask away! I’m so excited to kick this off!
I didn’t you have prothetic eyes. I kept thinking that you blues were so pretty. Loved your blog.
Aww thank you so much 🙂 Miss you!
Love this Jordyn!
Ella wants to know how you shop for clothes and then choose what to wear each day and still match.
I’m curious to know, if you ever pay with cash, how do you know you’re handing the cashier a $5 and not a $20? Do you just hope they’re honest?
I hope you’re doing well!!!
These questions are good!
Aww Ella! What a sweetheart. Great question! 🙂 The short answer is that jeans go with everything lol. I also have a lot of neutral colored bottoms, like black yoga pants and black dress pants. I’m definitely going to do a post on fashion in more detail in this series. 🙂 As far as the cashier goes, when I’m actually paying with cash, I will fold my money when I get it. So, $5 I’ll fold in half the short way (like a hamburger). $10 I fold long ways (like a hot dog). $20 I fold long ways twice, etc. There’s also talking money identifier apps that I have on my phone where I can hold the bill up to the camera and it tells me what bill I have. Hope you are doing well too!
Love you blog Jordyn:) can you create a list of the top 10 questions that people have asked you over the years related to your blindness?
Yes, I’d love to. 🙂
Why do you use a stick? Is it some video game device? Is it somehow related to Harry Potter? 😂😂😂😳😳. Are these emojis descriptions available to you?
LOL! Yes, I can see the emojis. That’s another great question. But wait! How do you use technology? 😀
But Wait! Why did everyone forget to say “but wait”?
But you sound like a typical blind person to me.
I am also totally blind but that’s not my point.
You’re awesome. This blog thing is cool af.
but wait…. where are the answers?
Great question. <3 I'm thinking that since this is a series, I'll tackle one of the questions every couple of weeks. Kind of like chapters in a book. So each new post in this series will be an answer to questions from readers or a topic like echo location or cooking.
I remember the day you were born and you are a beautiful strong, independent, and smart cookie! I was always amazing watching you grow up when you were a little girl! Watching you ride your bike down the sidewalk etc… I’m very proud of you and your accomplishments! Congratulations 🎉
I am loving this blog already!