[CnD] cutting food
Jessica, I completely understand what you are saying...When I was 16 I was doing Miss America Pagaents for college money, and had to go to many banquets...I think, at times, people watch us more closely, just to see how we do things...That is why I learned to feel around the plate with my utinsels and/or a biscuit...I usually touch the outside edge of meat with my knife, and feel for the other with the fork...That way, I know the dimentions of the food I'm going to cut...I think it's great if someone can just not care about what others think of them, but I am not one of them...I'm less selfconscious than I was at 16, so I promise it does get better...When eating, a salad, meat, a borido, or wahtever, I cut it into bite sized bpieces (sometimes smaller) and use my knife, if I do need a pusher...My mom was very overprotective when I was young...Throughout the years, with me nicely telling her that I needed to be independant, she has eased up 100 percent...Your parents sound like they want to help you...Maybe if you explain that to help you, they must let you succeed on your own, they will understand...Sorry this email is so long, but I wanted you to know that others DO understand, and wish to support you in anyway we can...Mastering these skills is the same way you get to Carnegy Hall...practice practice practice Kimberly ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food.
Canada. Why do you ask? sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Jean Hunt krazyg...@sbcglobal.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:56:27 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Jessica Where are you from? -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 8:40 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. I mean that When I use the fork to hold the food from moving I end up cutting the piece of food that the fork is holding and then the fork is no longer holding the food from moving. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:32:33 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. I don't follow what you mean by the food that the fork is under. The fork is stabbed down into the meat, then you use the fork as a guide for the knife. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 5:55 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. I mean that I try to use the fork to keep the food from moving around but when I cut with the knife I cut the part that the fork is under and then all of the food is free to move around. No! I do not want you to shut up. You are being very helpful. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Heidi Thomas heidi.thoma...@comcast.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:26:20 - Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hehehe, no offense taken ... Hope you're not either ... Eating with my hands is probably appalling to you and I'm sorry to offend you. ... So I didn't understand an do now, how do you mean cutting food out from under the fork? If you want me to shut up because I'm not being of any help, I will. Smile just say so, No, is the answer if it is no. I'm really sorry. Heidi -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: 23 January 2012 15:15 To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hi. I am trying to cut the food for myself but I do not like cutting one bight at a time. That is why I want to learn how to do it all at once. Wen I try to cut from the edge in, Every time I make a cut a new edge is formed and I can not tell what edge to cut from. I do not want to touch my food because that makes my hands messy and other people do not like me touching my food. I do not like touching my food either. When I try to hold the food from moving with the fork I end up cutting the food out from under the fork and then it moves around. I do not mean to offend you. That is just my feelings around the situation. Sorry for the long email. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: ajackson...@att.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:05:24 -0500 Subject: [CnD] cutting food. Hi, Jessica, Learning to cut food takes some practice. It's always best to start from the edge and work in; if you are cutting it for yourself, perhaps cutting one bite at a time would be easier. If you are cutting it for some one else, such as a young child, you may need the help of a very clean finger to touch the edge of the food and guide you to where to make the next cut. Using a fork to hold the food in place also keeps it from sliding all over the plate. Hope this helps, Alice ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http
Re: [CnD] cutting food
There is only one tvi for the whole school district. He is too busy to give everyone all the time they need. I am lucky if I see him once a month. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Alex Hall mehg...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:51:39 -0500 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Doesn't your TVI provide life skills lessons? Maybe it is just where I live, but I was under the impression that TVIs were supposed to teach all sorts of things like this, not just braille and computer skills. If not, perhaps your TVI can recommend somewhere you can pick up this sort of thing? On 1/24/12, Jessica Brown jessicabrown...@gmail.com wrote: Yes I have a tvi. i got my bn from my school and tought myself to use it. On 1/24/12, jill o'connell jillo...@verizon.net wrote: Jessica, Are you being mainstreamed? Who taught you to use your BrailleNote and who provided it? Did you have a TVI (teacher of the visually impaired) I also use a BrailleNote. Do you have speech, braille or both? I hope we are able to help you without invading your privacy. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:20:36 -0800 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I am ambidextrous. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:43:41 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Another thought I just had is this, and I should have thought of it before. People say to put the knife in the right hand and the fork in the left. I could not do this, even though people may insist that this is the correct way to do it. The majority of people are right handed, so they put the knife in their right hand. Are you left handed, like me? Switching their instructions to fit your needs makes all the difference in the world. For example, I've been playing the guitar since 1968, but there's no way I can play one that is strung for a left handed person who fingers the fret board and making the chords with their right hand, because I've been doing it with my left hand for so long.. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: Alex Hall mehg...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 6:42 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I'm coming in late here, I know. I generally use my fork, in my left hand, to find the meat. I then find an edge or corner, move in a bit to approximate a bite-sized piece, then put the fork into the meat so the back is facing the rest of the meat, the tines facing outward, the handle straight up or tilted away from the rest of the meat. I then move the knife to the back of the fork and cut down, using the fork as a guide. If the piece is too big, which you can tell either by using the knife or fork to feel it or by judging the weight once you have it on the fork, just cut it in half by using the same fork/knife trick as above. For anything I put a topping on, like pancakes, there is no question: cut it first, then add what you want on top. I usually cut the item in half (or as close to half as I can get), then rotate the plate ninety degrees and cut in half again. I now have four quarters that I can concentrate on one at a time. Of course, I usually end up with some very large pieces that I have to cut again. Pancakes and other lighter, flat foods are good since you can usually tell the size of the piece by moving the fork a tiny bit once you stab the piece and pick it up. The balance of the piece, and the overall weight, will usually tell you if the piece is too large and where the excess is. It takes practice to read clues like this, but if you practice at home, where you can shamelessly feel the food if you need to, I think you'll get it. At home, I often use my left hand as a guide, which I know I shouldn't do... but I'm at home, so I figure it does not really matter. I will also sometimes simply tear up the food, especially things like pancakes. When I am out somewhere, I try to stick to things that will not give me too much trouble - fried finger foods, burgers, pasta dishes with little excess sauce (alfredo, for example), that sort of thing. I think a lot of it is just accepting that, when you can't see your food, you will have to find and cut it differently than others. Getting good with using a knife or fork as a sort of food cane, and judging sizes and placements of pieces by how they feel on the fork, is important. However, it is even more important to simply not think about what others might be thinking (yes, I completely understand how hard that can be). Also, you may want to find a good friend, and try out different techniques with him or her; s/he can give you an idea of what is commonly accepted as normal or acceptable, and you can
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Do you know if they have a summer program? Lots of blind schools do this. It might be easier for them to let you go away for a few weeks during the summer rather than a whole year at school. Lisa Belville lisa...@frontier.com missktlab1...@frontier.com - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 9:20 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food They won't let me because it is too far away from home for there liking. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:14:13 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food They won't let you? What is their reasoning? This one problem of cutting food is a prime example of why you should be allowed to attend such a facility, especially if they, meaning your parents and or other family members, nor friends, can adequately instruct and assist you in doing what needs to be done. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 8:41 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I can not get help from a rehab teacher and I can not go to a blind school because my mom and dad will not let me. I would love to go there though. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:35:07 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Why not? This is something they should provide, or, if need be, they can send you to a rehab center, or you can go to one, to take classes on stuff like this. Just a thought. Another thought is this: Did, or do, you attend a school for the blind? Although they should teach these skills, they unfortunately quite often do not. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 6:03 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I can not get help from a rehab teacher. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Allison Fallin afal...@cox.net To: Cooking in the Dark cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:42:36 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Hi Jessica, I know how hard it is, particularly as a teenager, to not be worried about how things look. Your concern reminds me of a story my husband tells. When he was in his late teens, his older brother urged him to use a cane or dog. He was reluctant, because it would make him look blind. As his brother said: well, you are blind, and people can see that. Once he thought about it, he knew that was true. I came in late on this thread, so you may have answered this. Can you get any help from a rehab teacher? It's hard to have family members teach you, at least it was for me. One further thought. Given the state of the airline industry right now, you won't have to worry about cutting food on a plane. You never have to cut peanuts, assuming you even get those. Lol. Allison Fallin ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] Cutting Food
I am in grade 11. I go to a normal high school. My school gave me my bn and I taught myself how to use it. When I go to school I bring lunches that do not need cutting. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Tom Dickhoner tdickho...@fuse.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:10:06 -0500 Subject: [CnD] Cutting Food Jessica, as I have read practically all of your messages, a few questions come to mind. You tell us you are 16 years old. That would put you in the tenth grade. What are you doing for high school? Are you schooled at home? Who provided you your Braille Note, and how did you learn to use it? If you do attend school, what do you do in the cafeteria when you eat there? I't not trying to pry into your personal life. The more we know, the better we can be to asist you. Tom Dickhoner ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
I do not know. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Lisa Belville lisa...@frontier.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:08:36 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Do you know if they have a summer program? Lots of blind schools do this. It might be easier for them to let you go away for a few weeks during the summer rather than a whole year at school. Lisa Belville lisa...@frontier.com missktlab1...@frontier.com - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 9:20 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food They won't let me because it is too far away from home for there liking. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:14:13 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food They won't let you? What is their reasoning? This one problem of cutting food is a prime example of why you should be allowed to attend such a facility, especially if they, meaning your parents and or other family members, nor friends, can adequately instruct and assist you in doing what needs to be done. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 8:41 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I can not get help from a rehab teacher and I can not go to a blind school because my mom and dad will not let me. I would love to go there though. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:35:07 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Why not? This is something they should provide, or, if need be, they can send you to a rehab center, or you can go to one, to take classes on stuff like this. Just a thought. Another thought is this: Did, or do, you attend a school for the blind? Although they should teach these skills, they unfortunately quite often do not. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 6:03 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I can not get help from a rehab teacher. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Allison Fallin afal...@cox.net To: Cooking in the Dark cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:42:36 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Hi Jessica, I know how hard it is, particularly as a teenager, to not be worried about how things look. Your concern reminds me of a story my husband tells. When he was in his late teens, his older brother urged him to use a cane or dog. He was reluctant, because it would make him look blind. As his brother said: well, you are blind, and people can see that. Once he thought about it, he knew that was true. I came in late on this thread, so you may have answered this. Can you get any help from a rehab teacher? It's hard to have family members teach you, at least it was for me. One further thought. Given the state of the airline industry right now, you won't have to worry about cutting food on a plane. You never have to cut peanuts, assuming you even get those. Lol. Allison Fallin ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
[CnD] Cutting Food
It just occurred to me that this is the third day we've been on this topic. Steve has already asked that we get back to cooking. Poor Jessica has been bombarded with ideas and will need some time to sort things out and figure out what to do. Let's back off a bit and give her a chance. After all, this is only an email list, and there's a limit to what we can do! Just my two cents! Deb ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food.
Jessica I asked because of the way you described your handling of your fork and knife. It is more of an European style than what most Americans use. Most Americans hold their fork for cutting meat or other foods with the curve of the fork away from themselves rather then towards themselves. With this approach it is easier to use the fork as a guide for the knife. It also helps with being able to gauge the size of the portion you want to cut. In order to ensure that your fork is holding the portion of food you want to eat be sure that the knife follows the outer curve downward to the food before cutting. Some people say that the Americans are backward to the Europeans. So if you are using your fork to hold something in the European style , turn your fork over. You want the back side of your fork facing away from you. Hope this helps and continue to practice every chance you get even if you have to devise ways to get those chances. I apologize for the length of this note. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 10:40 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Canada. Why do you ask? sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Jean Hunt krazyg...@sbcglobal.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:56:27 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Jessica Where are you from? -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 8:40 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. I mean that When I use the fork to hold the food from moving I end up cutting the piece of food that the fork is holding and then the fork is no longer holding the food from moving. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:32:33 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. I don't follow what you mean by the food that the fork is under. The fork is stabbed down into the meat, then you use the fork as a guide for the knife. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 5:55 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. I mean that I try to use the fork to keep the food from moving around but when I cut with the knife I cut the part that the fork is under and then all of the food is free to move around. No! I do not want you to shut up. You are being very helpful. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Heidi Thomas heidi.thoma...@comcast.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:26:20 - Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hehehe, no offense taken ... Hope you're not either ... Eating with my hands is probably appalling to you and I'm sorry to offend you. ... So I didn't understand an do now, how do you mean cutting food out from under the fork? If you want me to shut up because I'm not being of any help, I will. Smile just say so, No, is the answer if it is no. I'm really sorry. Heidi -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: 23 January 2012 15:15 To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hi. I am trying to cut the food for myself but I do not like cutting one bight at a time. That is why I want to learn how to do it all at once. Wen I try to cut from the edge in, Every time I make a cut a new edge is formed and I can not tell what edge to cut from. I do not want to touch my food because that makes my hands messy and other people do not like me touching my food. I do not like touching my food either. When I try to hold the food from moving with the fork I end up cutting the food out from under the fork and then it moves around. I do not mean to offend you. That is just my feelings around the situation. Sorry for the long email. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: ajackson...@att.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:05:24 -0500 Subject: [CnD] cutting food. Hi, Jessica, Learning to cut food takes some practice. It's always best to start from the edge and work in; if you are cutting it for yourself, perhaps cutting one bite at a time would be easier. If you are cutting it for some one else, such as a young child, you may need the help of a very clean finger to touch the edge of the food and guide you to where to make the next cut. Using a fork to hold the food in place also keeps it from sliding all over the plate. Hope this helps, Alice
Re: [CnD] cutting food.
Hmmm... Not sure what part of Europe they do that, but my father was from Germany and I was taught exactly like you describe ... Not even sure how it's possible to eat with the fork turned around Seems rather awkward My father always ridiculed the american way of eating as opposed to the European way and that was that Americans cut with their right hand, put the knife down and switched the fork to their right hand to get the food to their mouth and Europeans eat with the fork kept in their left hand. OK, won't post on this anymore, as I know we've been moderated to stop the thread, but just thought that was a very interesting point. Heidi -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Jean Hunt Sent: 25 January 2012 19:02 To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Jessica I asked because of the way you described your handling of your fork and knife. It is more of an European style than what most Americans use. Most Americans hold their fork for cutting meat or other foods with the curve of the fork away from themselves rather then towards themselves. With this approach it is easier to use the fork as a guide for the knife. It also helps with being able to gauge the size of the portion you want to cut. In order to ensure that your fork is holding the portion of food you want to eat be sure that the knife follows the outer curve downward to the food before cutting. Some people say that the Americans are backward to the Europeans. So if you are using your fork to hold something in the European style , turn your fork over. You want the back side of your fork facing away from you. Hope this helps and continue to practice every chance you get even if you have to devise ways to get those chances. I apologize for the length of this note. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 10:40 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Canada. Why do you ask? sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Jean Hunt krazyg...@sbcglobal.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:56:27 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Jessica Where are you from? -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 8:40 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. I mean that When I use the fork to hold the food from moving I end up cutting the piece of food that the fork is holding and then the fork is no longer holding the food from moving. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:32:33 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. I don't follow what you mean by the food that the fork is under. The fork is stabbed down into the meat, then you use the fork as a guide for the knife. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 5:55 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. I mean that I try to use the fork to keep the food from moving around but when I cut with the knife I cut the part that the fork is under and then all of the food is free to move around. No! I do not want you to shut up. You are being very helpful. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Heidi Thomas heidi.thoma...@comcast.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:26:20 - Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hehehe, no offense taken ... Hope you're not either ... Eating with my hands is probably appalling to you and I'm sorry to offend you. ... So I didn't understand an do now, how do you mean cutting food out from under the fork? If you want me to shut up because I'm not being of any help, I will. Smile just say so, No, is the answer if it is no. I'm really sorry. Heidi -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: 23 January 2012 15:15 To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hi. I am trying to cut the food for myself but I do not like cutting one bight at a time. That is why I want to learn how to do it all at once. Wen I try to cut from the edge in, Every time I make a cut a new edge is formed and I can not tell what edge to cut from. I do not want to touch my food because that makes my hands messy and other people do not like me touching my food. I do not like touching my food either. When I try to hold the food from moving with the fork I end
Re: [CnD] cutting food
I got more out of it then you will ever know. Thank you so much for all the help. On 1/25/12, Tom Dickhoner tdickho...@fuse.net wrote: Kimberly, I was kind of surprised to receive the message from Steve Stewart telling us to get back to recipes. Jessica, you're not out of line at all. The mailing list is all about food. You have a problem with cutting it after it has been prepared. We don't need to discontinue this discourse outside of the recipe box. If you gain something from the e-mails and the host of information you received, it was definitely worth it all. -Original Message- From: Kimberly Qualls kimberly021...@gmail.com Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 8:22 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: [CnD] cutting food Jessica, I completely understand what you are saying...When I was 16 I was doing Miss America Pagaents for college money, and had to go to many banquets...I think, at times, people watch us more closely, just to see how we do things...That is why I learned to feel around the plate with my utinsels and/or a biscuit...I usually touch the outside edge of meat with my knife, and feel for the other with the fork...That way, I know the dimentions of the food I'm going to cut...I think it's great if someone can just not care about what others think of them, but I am not one of them...I'm less selfconscious than I was at 16, so I promise it does get better...When eating, a salad, meat, a borido, or wahtever, I cut it into bite sized bpieces (sometimes smaller) and use my knife, if I do need a pusher...My mom was very overprotective when I was young...Throughout the years, with me nicely telling her that I needed to be independant, she has eased up 100 percent...Your parents sound like they want to help you...Maybe if you explain that to help you, they must let you succeed on your own, they will understand...Sorry this email is so long, but I wanted you to know that others DO understand, and wish to support you in anyway we can...Mastering these skills is the same way you get to Carnegy Hall...practice practice practice Kimberly ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- sent from my BrailleNote ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Ask them this: If you cannot teach me, and if nobody around here can, and if it is important, and I have to learn it, where am I going to? If qualified people can come to our home to teach me, fine, but if they cannot, and the training is available, isn't it worth going the distance? If you really want me to be independent, isn't this the way to go? If not, what is? Ask these questions calmly, and explain your needs and desires. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 9:20 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food They won't let me because it is too far away from home for there liking. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:14:13 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food They won't let you? What is their reasoning? This one problem of cutting food is a prime example of why you should be allowed to attend such a facility, especially if they, meaning your parents and or other family members, nor friends, can adequately instruct and assist you in doing what needs to be done. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 8:41 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I can not get help from a rehab teacher and I can not go to a blind school because my mom and dad will not let me. I would love to go there though. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:35:07 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Why not? This is something they should provide, or, if need be, they can send you to a rehab center, or you can go to one, to take classes on stuff like this. Just a thought. Another thought is this: Did, or do, you attend a school for the blind? Although they should teach these skills, they unfortunately quite often do not. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 6:03 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I can not get help from a rehab teacher. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Allison Fallin afal...@cox.net To: Cooking in the Dark cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:42:36 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Hi Jessica, I know how hard it is, particularly as a teenager, to not be worried about how things look. Your concern reminds me of a story my husband tells. When he was in his late teens, his older brother urged him to use a cane or dog. He was reluctant, because it would make him look blind. As his brother said: well, you are blind, and people can see that. Once he thought about it, he knew that was true. I came in late on this thread, so you may have answered this. Can you get any help from a rehab teacher? It's hard to have family members teach you, at least it was for me. One further thought. Given the state of the airline industry right now, you won't have to worry about cutting food on a plane. You never have to cut peanuts, assuming you even get those. Lol. Allison Fallin ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
hello everyone, I do not want to speak for Jessica, but I do know that it is common for parents of blind children to be overprotective and not allow them to grow and develop as independent adults ... my husband is one of them. He is 48 years old and we still have difficulty in getting his mother to cut the apron strings. She continuously insists on wanting to do everything for us, not understanding that we are completely capable of doing it ourselves. I think what Jessica may need right now is to meet some people close to her own age that are experiencing or has experienced the same thing. I know a young lady who has overcome the exact difficulty. I met her years ago at the orientation and adjustment center that I attended. The poor thing could not do a thing for herself becauwse her mother would never let her learn. Since then, she has completed independent living training, completed college and has a great job, living on her own and prospering. This is a very personal and difficult situation and I think what we should do, If you give the go ahead, Jessica, if anyone has someone they know close to her age, that could be of support to her in working through this, you could contact her privately and put her in touch. It's just nicer to have people that can relate to exactly how we are feeling. I am sorry, Jessica, I just don't want you to feel uncomfortable with having to explain anything to anyone ... everyone on here is very kind and wants to help, but without knowing exactly what you are dealing with, no one can help. Please don't be afraid that anyone will interfere or intrude without you asking for help. :) So just let everyone know how you feel about my suggestion and I'm sure we'll find you the right support for what you are dealing with. Heidi -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Charles Rivard Sent: 24 January 2012 09:50 To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Ask them this: If you cannot teach me, and if nobody around here can, and if it is important, and I have to learn it, where am I going to? If qualified people can come to our home to teach me, fine, but if they cannot, and the training is available, isn't it worth going the distance? If you really want me to be independent, isn't this the way to go? If not, what is? Ask these questions calmly, and explain your needs and desires. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 9:20 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food They won't let me because it is too far away from home for there liking. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:14:13 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food They won't let you? What is their reasoning? This one problem of cutting food is a prime example of why you should be allowed to attend such a facility, especially if they, meaning your parents and or other family members, nor friends, can adequately instruct and assist you in doing what needs to be done. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 8:41 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I can not get help from a rehab teacher and I can not go to a blind school because my mom and dad will not let me. I would love to go there though. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:35:07 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Why not? This is something they should provide, or, if need be, they can send you to a rehab center, or you can go to one, to take classes on stuff like this. Just a thought. Another thought is this: Did, or do, you attend a school for the blind? Although they should teach these skills, they unfortunately quite often do not. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 6:03 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I can not get help from a rehab teacher. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Allison Fallin afal...@cox.net To: Cooking in the Dark cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:42:36 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Hi Jessica, I know how hard it is, particularly as a teenager, to not be worried about how things look. Your concern reminds me of a story my husband tells. When he was in his late teens, his older brother
Re: [CnD] cutting food
It is my observation that the parents of disabled children are far more concerned about their offspring being safe and keeping from being harmed than they care about independence. Does Hadley have something on this? It might be an option if they do, as that means not having to leave the home. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Charles Rivard Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 3:50 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Ask them this: If you cannot teach me, and if nobody around here can, and if it is important, and I have to learn it, where am I going to? If qualified people can come to our home to teach me, fine, but if they cannot, and the training is available, isn't it worth going the distance? If you really want me to be independent, isn't this the way to go? If not, what is? Ask these questions calmly, and explain your needs and desires. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 9:20 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food They won't let me because it is too far away from home for there liking. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:14:13 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food They won't let you? What is their reasoning? This one problem of cutting food is a prime example of why you should be allowed to attend such a facility, especially if they, meaning your parents and or other family members, nor friends, can adequately instruct and assist you in doing what needs to be done. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 8:41 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I can not get help from a rehab teacher and I can not go to a blind school because my mom and dad will not let me. I would love to go there though. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:35:07 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Why not? This is something they should provide, or, if need be, they can send you to a rehab center, or you can go to one, to take classes on stuff like this. Just a thought. Another thought is this: Did, or do, you attend a school for the blind? Although they should teach these skills, they unfortunately quite often do not. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 6:03 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I can not get help from a rehab teacher. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Allison Fallin afal...@cox.net To: Cooking in the Dark cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:42:36 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Hi Jessica, I know how hard it is, particularly as a teenager, to not be worried about how things look. Your concern reminds me of a story my husband tells. When he was in his late teens, his older brother urged him to use a cane or dog. He was reluctant, because it would make him look blind. As his brother said: well, you are blind, and people can see that. Once he thought about it, he knew that was true. I came in late on this thread, so you may have answered this. Can you get any help from a rehab teacher? It's hard to have family members teach you, at least it was for me. One further thought. Given the state of the airline industry right now, you won't have to worry about cutting food on a plane. You never have to cut peanuts, assuming you even get those. Lol. Allison Fallin ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
[CnD] Cutting Food
Jessica, as Charles and others have done, they are giving you a lot of advice. From all the e-mails I have received with regards to your situation, and all have been friendly. All of who are on the mailing list are blind, and they all do things so differently. What you need at this time is hands-on information. People need to show you how to hold the knife, how to place the fork in the right spot, and what it feels like to make the cut. I understand perfectly what it is like to have parents who won't let you be independent. I struggled with this for a long time. I was told that I couldn't marry, I couldn't have children, and much, much more. I finally grabbed the bull by the horns and moved into an apartment. I married in 1985, and my wife, Teresa, who is sighted and I have two children. The older daughter married in March of this past year. I am going to be a grandpa in April. I agree with Charles or whomever it was that said you have to make the decision as to what you need to do. Jessica, you are 16 years old. You have your whole life ahead of you. You are definitely on the right track. Part of being independent is knowing that you want to be that way. This is coming from a 59-year-old man. Many adolesents your age think we don't know anything. If independence is really what you want, and if you feel that there would be benefits to going to a school for the blind, you have my blessing. Be calm, explain in as calmly of a matter as you can to your parents what you want, and then make your move. There may be resistance, but when your parents see what you are doing, most of the time they will back you. Jessica, I wish you well. Let us know how things turn out. Tom Dickhoner Cincinnati, Ohio ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Hmm, Okay, the following thoughts and advice comes from someone who is 40 and still dealing with parents who constantly doubt my ability even though I've lived away from home for nearly twenty years, graduated college, held jobs in other states, and basically did what any nonblind person has done as far as life goes. I'm not trying to be condescending or mean when I give you these choices: 1. let mom or dad cut your food forever, or at least until you move out. Are you thinking of going to college? If so then you've only got what? Two years to endure it, assuming they'll let you out of their sights. 2. If number 1 isn't an option, explain calmly and rationally why this is something you need to learn. Maybe they just don't think you need to because they'll always be around to do it for you. This can be tricky because many parents and friends do this out of a misguided sense of love and not necessarily anything sinister like trying to keep the blind kid down. do you have other siblings? If they aren't blind, how do your parents treat them when it comes to this sort of thing? 3. do you know if there is a chapter of the NFB or ACB in your area? I don't want to side with either organization here. In fact I think either one would be able to give you hands on advice or refer you to someone who could. You have net access at home or at least in school, right? Ggo to either www.acb.org or www.nfb.org and search by state to see where the nearest chapter is. Both organizations have all kinds of resources for people at all stages of life and I believe both also have organizations of students, most of which are high school or college students who might be in the same place you are. I can relate to you wanting to look like everyone else. I grew up around only sighted people, so everything I did was monitored and critiqued so I'd look like a sighted person even though I had bad eyes and learning nonvisual methods would have made things so much easier. Cutting food is one of those basics everyone should learn. Granted many people don't do it the approved Miss Manners way, but it gets done. The reality is, everyone does it differently, even sighted people. Once you quit comparing yourself to sighted people and even other blind people, things will be much less stressful for you. There are some people who think that doing something other then their way is the wrong way, and you can really work yourself into stressed out state if you're always trying to please these people. The thing is, most of us have encountered this attitude from friends and family. It's hard to break away if you're made to feel inferior or disrespectful. But if you're serious about wanting some independence, you're going to have to find ways to learn things even though your parents will interpret this as being rebellious. The worst case sinerio is you have to leave your parents house completely to learn something basic like this. Unfortunately, I know lots of blind people who have had to do just that, including myself. . Lisa Belville lisa...@frontier.com missktlab1...@frontier.com - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 9:33 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I look at it differently. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Drew Hunthausen dhunthau...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:29:38 -0800 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food The way I look at it is that it's always worth a try if you really want it. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 7:21 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food No thank you. I would not be able to explane that to my mom and dad. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Drew Hunthausen dhunthau...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:02:55 -0800 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Where do you live? I'm asking because there might be some assistance you can get from non profit organizations that wouldn't require you to leave home. Just a thought -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 6:42 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I can not get help from a rehab teacher and I can not go to a blind school because my mom and dad will not let me. I would love to go there though. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:35:07 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Why not? This is something they should
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Jessica, who is telling you touching your food makes you look like a four year old? Because if it's your parents, they need to learn the difference between sloppy eating habits and well used alternative, nonvisual techniques. IMO, there's a huge difference between discretely touching a piece of meet versus running your hands all over the plate to locate the meet and pushing it into other food or right off the plate in the process. One is a quick nonvisual way to locate the meat while the other is more of a sloppy action that would cause attention to you if you pushed off the food. Here again, the advice you're getting is from blind people in all walks of life in all stages of blindness and in all levels of proficiency. The common thread here is that you will need, at least initially, to touch your food. If you're too embarrassed to do it in public, then do it in the privacy of your kitchen when no one is around. Lisa Belville lisa...@frontier.com missktlab1...@frontier.com - Original Message - From: Jessica Brown jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:41 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food It is not just what works for me. It is also about not looking like a 4 year old in public. I understand that exceptions need to be made for blind people but touching your food is taking it too far! On 1/23/12, Tom Dickhoner tdickho...@fuse.net wrote: Again, as far as the fingers are concerned, I can't remember anyone frowning on me using them except for teachers of the blind who made a big deal out of doing that. I believe that good eddiquette is important. I don't believe in picking up food from the plate and putting it in my mouth unless it is fried chicken, a hamburger, french fries and the like. As long as you use the fork or spoon and use the fingers as a guide, I see nothing wrong with that. We're blind, others in the restaurant or meeting are eating and watching what they are eating or talking to others. The only gawking would be if one's head is in the plate, picking up food that should be eaten with a fork or just bad manners. Other than that whatever else you do is fine. Jessica, I didn't know you are only 16. In time you will mature, and you will learn to do what works best for you. -Original Message- From: Sisi Ben-Simon fireb...@netvision.net.il Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:25 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I use bread sometimes but I try not to use fingers when I'm not alone, especially in a restaurant. I prefer to cut a piece and eat it and then cut another one, not the whole stake or pancake at once. This way it really doesn't matter where I started and where I should be cutting. When I'm in a restaurant or a hotel eating an omlet or some other fluffy egg I just put it on a piece of toast so I don't have to struggle with food sliding down the plate or on the table. Jesica you're only 16 so you have a lot of time to learn and find out whatever works for you. Take care Sisi - Original Message - From: Tom Dickhoner tdickho...@fuse.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 9:07 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food AA pusher is a piece of bread or a eating utensel such as a knofe that allows you to be able to get the food from the late to the fork. You hold the bread to the food, you find it, and you guide the bread to the fork. It is supposed to look dignified, and it is suppose to avoid using fingers. I have no problem with fingers. They work better than a knife or a piece of bread ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark __ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 6821 (20120123) __ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- sent from my BrailleNote ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Lisa, I Agree With you. I went to the Greater Pittsburgh Guild for the Blind in Bridgeport, Pennsylvania. I had a class called techniques of daily living, (T D L) for short. The teacher who taught us eddiquette had each of us use a knife as a pusher. We uheld the knife handle with the blade touching the food, and the fork touched the food. We used the knife blade to allow us to bring the food to the fork when the food touched the blade. Touching with the fingers was forbidden. I had a problem because I was leaving a lot of food on my plate. Lisa, the point I made to Jessica is that if you are using your fingers to see where your food is, to spear with the fork what you feel, this is fine. If on the other hand you have your face almost in your plate, if you pick the meat up in your hands and bite it, or if you push with your fingers in a way that food drops on the table, these things are sloppy and they draw attention to one' sself. Jessica has to do what looks and works best. Sometimes we can draw attention to ourselves by trying not to look out of place. Jessica, you need to just take the first step, be it going to the school for the blind or whatever you need to do. Only you know what's best, and only you can decide what to do. -Original Message- From: Lisa Belville lisa...@frontier.com Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 9:33 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Jessica, who is telling you touching your food makes you look like a four year old? Because if it's your parents, they need to learn the difference between sloppy eating habits and well used alternative, nonvisual techniques. IMO, there's a huge difference between discretely touching a piece of meet versus running your hands all over the plate to locate the meet and pushing it into other food or right off the plate in the process. One is a quick nonvisual way to locate the meat while the other is more of a sloppy action that would cause attention to you if you pushed off the food. Here again, the advice you're getting is from blind people in all walks of life in all stages of blindness and in all levels of proficiency. The common thread here is that you will need, at least initially, to touch your food. If you're too embarrassed to do it in public, then do it in the privacy of your kitchen when no one is around. Lisa Belville lisa...@frontier.com missktlab1...@frontier.com - Original Message - From: Jessica Brown jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:41 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food It is not just what works for me. It is also about not looking like a 4 year old in public. I understand that exceptions need to be made for blind people but touching your food is taking it too far! On 1/23/12, Tom Dickhoner tdickho...@fuse.net wrote: Again, as far as the fingers are concerned, I can't remember anyone frowning on me using them except for teachers of the blind who made a big deal out of doing that. I believe that good eddiquette is important. I don't believe in picking up food from the plate and putting it in my mouth unless it is fried chicken, a hamburger, french fries and the like. As long as you use the fork or spoon and use the fingers as a guide, I see nothing wrong with that. We're blind, others in the restaurant or meeting are eating and watching what they are eating or talking to others. The only gawking would be if one's head is in the plate, picking up food that should be eaten with a fork or just bad manners. Other than that whatever else you do is fine. Jessica, I didn't know you are only 16. In time you will mature, and you will learn to do what works best for you. -Original Message- From: Sisi Ben-Simon fireb...@netvision.net.il Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:25 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I use bread sometimes but I try not to use fingers when I'm not alone, especially in a restaurant. I prefer to cut a piece and eat it and then cut another one, not the whole stake or pancake at once. This way it really doesn't matter where I started and where I should be cutting. When I'm in a restaurant or a hotel eating an omlet or some other fluffy egg I just put it on a piece of toast so I don't have to struggle with food sliding down the plate or on the table. Jesica you're only 16 so you have a lot of time to learn and find out whatever works for you. Take care Sisi - Original Message - From: Tom Dickhoner tdickho...@fuse.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 9:07 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food AA pusher is a piece of bread or a eating utensel such as a knofe that allows you to be able to get the food from the late to the fork. You hold the bread to the food, you find it, and you guide the bread to the fork
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Hi Jessica, I am actually a vision rehab teacher, and am willing to talk to you by phone to maybe do some skill building. I also strongly recommend Hadley School for the Blind, which has an Independent Living Skills class. You can learn more about Hadley and their free courses at www.hadley.edu please email me at spe...@lvib.org Sylvia -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of cookinginthedark-requ...@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 10:31 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Cookinginthedark Digest, Vol 28, Issue 83 Send Cookinginthedark mailing list submissions to cookinginthedark@acbradio.org To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to cookinginthedark-requ...@acbradio.org You can reach the person managing the list at cookinginthedark-ow...@acbradio.org When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than Re: Contents of Cookinginthedark digest... Today's Topics: 1. Re: cutting food (jessica) 2. Re: cutting food (jessica) 3. Re: cutting food (Drew Hunthausen) 4. Re: cutting food (Drew Hunthausen) -- Message: 1 Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:20:33 -0800 From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Message-ID: 4f1e2396.438eec0a.74bc.2...@mx.google.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1; format=flowed They won't let me because it is too far away from home for there liking. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:14:13 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food They won't let you? What is their reasoning? This one problem of cutting food is a prime example of why you should be allowed to attend such a facility, especially if they, meaning your parents and or other family members, nor friends, can adequately instruct and assist you in doing what needs to be done. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 8:41 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I can not get help from a rehab teacher and I can not go to a blind school because my mom and dad will not let me. I would love to go there though. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:35:07 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Why not? This is something they should provide, or, if need be, they can send you to a rehab center, or you can go to one, to take classes on stuff like this. Just a thought. Another thought is this: Did, or do, you attend a school for the blind? Although they should teach these skills, they unfortunately quite often do not. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 6:03 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I can not get help from a rehab teacher. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Allison Fallin afal...@cox.net To: Cooking in the Dark cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:42:36 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Hi Jessica, I know how hard it is, particularly as a teenager, to not be worried about how things look. Your concern reminds me of a story my husband tells. When he was in his late teens, his older brother urged him to use a cane or dog. He was reluctant, because it would make him look blind. As his brother said: well, you are blind, and people can see that. Once he thought about it, he knew that was true. I came in late on this thread, so you may have answered this. Can you get any help from a rehab teacher? It's hard to have family members teach you, at least it was for me. One further thought. Given the state of the airline industry right now, you won't have to worry about cutting food on a plane. You never have to cut peanuts, assuming you even get those. Lol. Allison Fallin ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Ok. That sounds good. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Heidi Thomas heidi.thoma...@comcast.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:44:05 - Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food hello everyone, I do not want to speak for Jessica, but I do know that it is common for parents of blind children to be overprotective and not allow them to grow and develop as independent adults ... my husband is one of them. He is 48 years old and we still have difficulty in getting his mother to cut the apron strings. She continuously insists on wanting to do everything for us, not understanding that we are completely capable of doing it ourselves. I think what Jessica may need right now is to meet some people close to her own age that are experiencing or has experienced the same thing. I know a young lady who has overcome the exact difficulty. I met her years ago at the orientation and adjustment center that I attended. The poor thing could not do a thing for herself becauwse her mother would never let her learn. Since then, she has completed independent living training, completed college and has a great job, living on her own and prospering. This is a very personal and difficult situation and I think what we should do, If you give the go ahead, Jessica, if anyone has someone they know close to her age, that could be of support to her in working through this, you could contact her privately and put her in touch. It's just nicer to have people that can relate to exactly how we are feeling. I am sorry, Jessica, I just don't want you to feel uncomfortable with having to explain anything to anyone ... everyone on here is very kind and wants to help, but without knowing exactly what you are dealing with, no one can help. Please don't be afraid that anyone will interfere or intrude without you asking for help. :) So just let everyone know how you feel about my suggestion and I'm sure we'll find you the right support for what you are dealing with. Heidi -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Charles Rivard Sent: 24 January 2012 09:50 To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Ask them this: If you cannot teach me, and if nobody around here can, and if it is important, and I have to learn it, where am I going to? If qualified people can come to our home to teach me, fine, but if they cannot, and the training is available, isn't it worth going the distance? If you really want me to be independent, isn't this the way to go? If not, what is? Ask these questions calmly, and explain your needs and desires. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 9:20 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food They won't let me because it is too far away from home for there liking. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:14:13 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food They won't let you? What is their reasoning? This one problem of cutting food is a prime example of why you should be allowed to attend such a facility, especially if they, meaning your parents and or other family members, nor friends, can adequately instruct and assist you in doing what needs to be done. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 8:41 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I can not get help from a rehab teacher and I can not go to a blind school because my mom and dad will not let me. I would love to go there though. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:35:07 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Why not? This is something they should provide, or, if need be, they can send you to a rehab center, or you can go to one, to take classes on stuff like this. Just a thought. Another thought is this: Did, or do, you attend a school for the blind? Although they should teach these skills, they unfortunately quite often do not. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 6:03 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I can not get help from a rehab teacher. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Allison Fallin afal...@cox.net To: Cooking in the Dark cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:42:36 -0600 Subject
Re: [CnD] cutting food
It is me who thinks I look like a 4 year old. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Lisa Belville lisa...@frontier.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:33:01 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Jessica, who is telling you touching your food makes you look like a four year old? Because if it's your parents, they need to learn the difference between sloppy eating habits and well used alternative, nonvisual techniques. IMO, there's a huge difference between discretely touching a piece of meet versus running your hands all over the plate to locate the meet and pushing it into other food or right off the plate in the process. One is a quick nonvisual way to locate the meat while the other is more of a sloppy action that would cause attention to you if you pushed off the food. Here again, the advice you're getting is from blind people in all walks of life in all stages of blindness and in all levels of proficiency. The common thread here is that you will need, at least initially, to touch your food. If you're too embarrassed to do it in public, then do it in the privacy of your kitchen when no one is around. Lisa Belville lisa...@frontier.com missktlab1...@frontier.com - Original Message - From: Jessica Brown jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:41 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food It is not just what works for me. It is also about not looking like a 4 year old in public. I understand that exceptions need to be made for blind people but touching your food is taking it too far! On 1/23/12, Tom Dickhoner tdickho...@fuse.net wrote: Again, as far as the fingers are concerned, I can't remember anyone frowning on me using them except for teachers of the blind who made a big deal out of doing that. I believe that good eddiquette is important. I don't believe in picking up food from the plate and putting it in my mouth unless it is fried chicken, a hamburger, french fries and the like. As long as you use the fork or spoon and use the fingers as a guide, I see nothing wrong with that. We're blind, others in the restaurant or meeting are eating and watching what they are eating or talking to others. The only gawking would be if one's head is in the plate, picking up food that should be eaten with a fork or just bad manners. Other than that whatever else you do is fine. Jessica, I didn't know you are only 16. In time you will mature, and you will learn to do what works best for you. -Original Message- From: Sisi Ben-Simon fireb...@netvision.net.il Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:25 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I use bread sometimes but I try not to use fingers when I'm not alone, especially in a restaurant. I prefer to cut a piece and eat it and then cut another one, not the whole stake or pancake at once. This way it really doesn't matter where I started and where I should be cutting. When I'm in a restaurant or a hotel eating an omlet or some other fluffy egg I just put it on a piece of toast so I don't have to struggle with food sliding down the plate or on the table. Jesica you're only 16 so you have a lot of time to learn and find out whatever works for you. Take care Sisi - Original Message - From: Tom Dickhoner tdickho...@fuse.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 9:07 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food AA pusher is a piece of bread or a eating utensel such as a knofe that allows you to be able to get the food from the late to the fork. You hold the bread to the food, you find it, and you guide the bread to the fork. It is supposed to look dignified, and it is suppose to avoid using fingers. I have no problem with fingers. They work better than a knife or a piece of bread ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark __ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 6821 (20120123) __ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- sent from my BrailleNote ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Smile. Just keep practicing and you won't ... It probably isn't as bad as you think, but with the right help you'll get there. You've taken the right step in asking and somehow I think it will all work out Heidi -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: 24 January 2012 15:33 To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food It is me who thinks I look like a 4 year old. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Lisa Belville lisa...@frontier.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:33:01 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Jessica, who is telling you touching your food makes you look like a four year old? Because if it's your parents, they need to learn the difference between sloppy eating habits and well used alternative, nonvisual techniques. IMO, there's a huge difference between discretely touching a piece of meet versus running your hands all over the plate to locate the meet and pushing it into other food or right off the plate in the process. One is a quick nonvisual way to locate the meat while the other is more of a sloppy action that would cause attention to you if you pushed off the food. Here again, the advice you're getting is from blind people in all walks of life in all stages of blindness and in all levels of proficiency. The common thread here is that you will need, at least initially, to touch your food. If you're too embarrassed to do it in public, then do it in the privacy of your kitchen when no one is around. Lisa Belville lisa...@frontier.com missktlab1...@frontier.com - Original Message - From: Jessica Brown jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:41 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food It is not just what works for me. It is also about not looking like a 4 year old in public. I understand that exceptions need to be made for blind people but touching your food is taking it too far! On 1/23/12, Tom Dickhoner tdickho...@fuse.net wrote: Again, as far as the fingers are concerned, I can't remember anyone frowning on me using them except for teachers of the blind who made a big deal out of doing that. I believe that good eddiquette is important. I don't believe in picking up food from the plate and putting it in my mouth unless it is fried chicken, a hamburger, french fries and the like. As long as you use the fork or spoon and use the fingers as a guide, I see nothing wrong with that. We're blind, others in the restaurant or meeting are eating and watching what they are eating or talking to others. The only gawking would be if one's head is in the plate, picking up food that should be eaten with a fork or just bad manners. Other than that whatever else you do is fine. Jessica, I didn't know you are only 16. In time you will mature, and you will learn to do what works best for you. -Original Message- From: Sisi Ben-Simon fireb...@netvision.net.il Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:25 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I use bread sometimes but I try not to use fingers when I'm not alone, especially in a restaurant. I prefer to cut a piece and eat it and then cut another one, not the whole stake or pancake at once. This way it really doesn't matter where I started and where I should be cutting. When I'm in a restaurant or a hotel eating an omlet or some other fluffy egg I just put it on a piece of toast so I don't have to struggle with food sliding down the plate or on the table. Jesica you're only 16 so you have a lot of time to learn and find out whatever works for you. Take care Sisi - Original Message - From: Tom Dickhoner tdickho...@fuse.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 9:07 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food AA pusher is a piece of bread or a eating utensel such as a knofe that allows you to be able to get the food from the late to the fork. You hold the bread to the food, you find it, and you guide the bread to the fork. It is supposed to look dignified, and it is suppose to avoid using fingers. I have no problem with fingers. They work better than a knife or a piece of bread ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark __ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 6821 (20120123) __ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http
Re: [CnD] cutting food
You are getting the help you need. You sound interested, and I hope you can get in contact with Sylvia. Let us know how it goes. -Original Message- From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 10:32 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Ok. That sounds good. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Heidi Thomas heidi.thoma...@comcast.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:44:05 - Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food hello everyone, I do not want to speak for Jessica, but I do know that it is common for parents of blind children to be overprotective and not allow them to grow and develop as independent adults ... my husband is one of them. He is 48 years old and we still have difficulty in getting his mother to cut the apron strings. She continuously insists on wanting to do everything for us, not understanding that we are completely capable of doing it ourselves. I think what Jessica may need right now is to meet some people close to her own age that are experiencing or has experienced the same thing. I know a young lady who has overcome the exact difficulty. I met her years ago at the orientation and adjustment center that I attended. The poor thing could not do a thing for herself becauwse her mother would never let her learn. Since then, she has completed independent living training, completed college and has a great job, living on her own and prospering. This is a very personal and difficult situation and I think what we should do, If you give the go ahead, Jessica, if anyone has someone they know close to her age, that could be of support to her in working through this, you could contact her privately and put her in touch. It's just nicer to have people that can relate to exactly how we are feeling. I am sorry, Jessica, I just don't want you to feel uncomfortable with having to explain anything to anyone ... everyone on here is very kind and wants to help, but without knowing exactly what you are dealing with, no one can help. Please don't be afraid that anyone will interfere or intrude without you asking for help. :) So just let everyone know how you feel about my suggestion and I'm sure we'll find you the right support for what you are dealing with. Heidi -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Charles Rivard Sent: 24 January 2012 09:50 To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Ask them this: If you cannot teach me, and if nobody around here can, and if it is important, and I have to learn it, where am I going to? If qualified people can come to our home to teach me, fine, but if they cannot, and the training is available, isn't it worth going the distance? If you really want me to be independent, isn't this the way to go? If not, what is? Ask these questions calmly, and explain your needs and desires. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 9:20 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food They won't let me because it is too far away from home for there liking. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:14:13 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food They won't let you? What is their reasoning? This one problem of cutting food is a prime example of why you should be allowed to attend such a facility, especially if they, meaning your parents and or other family members, nor friends, can adequately instruct and assist you in doing what needs to be done. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 8:41 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I can not get help from a rehab teacher and I can not go to a blind school because my mom and dad will not let me. I would love to go there though. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:35:07 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Why not? This is something they should provide, or, if need be, they can send you to a rehab center, or you can go to one, to take classes on stuff like this. Just a thought. Another thought is this: Did, or do, you attend a school for the blind? Although they should teach these skills, they unfortunately quite often do not. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com
Re: [CnD] cutting food
You very definitely are on the right track. You want to be independent. At 16, all of us are self conscious in one way or another. I think we all are concerned to a great or even a lesser extent about what people think about us. If noone said you look like a four-year-old, you have nothing to worry about. You have to do what works best for you. Some people use a piece of bread as a pusher, which is something that aids you in getting your food from your plate to your fork, to your mouth, a knife, or lightly touching with your fingers. Do what works best, and don't worry. I have a friend that I have known since nursery school. He lightly touches food with his fingers, and he does just fine. Be patient. Don't be so hard on yourself. You will be just fine. -Original Message- From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 10:32 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food It is me who thinks I look like a 4 year old. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Lisa Belville lisa...@frontier.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:33:01 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Jessica, who is telling you touching your food makes you look like a four year old? Because if it's your parents, they need to learn the difference between sloppy eating habits and well used alternative, nonvisual techniques. IMO, there's a huge difference between discretely touching a piece of meet versus running your hands all over the plate to locate the meet and pushing it into other food or right off the plate in the process. One is a quick nonvisual way to locate the meat while the other is more of a sloppy action that would cause attention to you if you pushed off the food. Here again, the advice you're getting is from blind people in all walks of life in all stages of blindness and in all levels of proficiency. The common thread here is that you will need, at least initially, to touch your food. If you're too embarrassed to do it in public, then do it in the privacy of your kitchen when no one is around. Lisa Belville lisa...@frontier.com missktlab1...@frontier.com - Original Message - From: Jessica Brown jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:41 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food It is not just what works for me. It is also about not looking like a 4 year old in public. I understand that exceptions need to be made for blind people but touching your food is taking it too far! On 1/23/12, Tom Dickhoner tdickho...@fuse.net wrote: Again, as far as the fingers are concerned, I can't remember anyone frowning on me using them except for teachers of the blind who made a big deal out of doing that. I believe that good eddiquette is important. I don't believe in picking up food from the plate and putting it in my mouth unless it is fried chicken, a hamburger, french fries and the like. As long as you use the fork or spoon and use the fingers as a guide, I see nothing wrong with that. We're blind, others in the restaurant or meeting are eating and watching what they are eating or talking to others. The only gawking would be if one's head is in the plate, picking up food that should be eaten with a fork or just bad manners. Other than that whatever else you do is fine. Jessica, I didn't know you are only 16. In time you will mature, and you will learn to do what works best for you. -Original Message- From: Sisi Ben-Simon fireb...@netvision.net.il Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:25 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I use bread sometimes but I try not to use fingers when I'm not alone, especially in a restaurant. I prefer to cut a piece and eat it and then cut another one, not the whole stake or pancake at once. This way it really doesn't matter where I started and where I should be cutting. When I'm in a restaurant or a hotel eating an omlet or some other fluffy egg I just put it on a piece of toast so I don't have to struggle with food sliding down the plate or on the table. Jesica you're only 16 so you have a lot of time to learn and find out whatever works for you. Take care Sisi - Original Message - From: Tom Dickhoner tdickho...@fuse.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 9:07 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food AA pusher is a piece of bread or a eating utensel such as a knofe that allows you to be able to get the food from the late to the fork. You hold the bread to the food, you find it, and you guide the bread to the fork. It is supposed to look dignified, and it is suppose to avoid using fingers. I have no problem with fingers. They work better than a knife or a piece of bread ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Jessica, I lost my eye sight when I was 12, and believe me, there are plenty of fully sighted adults who have no manners what so ever when they go out to eat. Learning how to discretely use fingers or utensils to find and navigate your food is one thing, and I'm sure you are much better than much of the sighted population who have no excuse. I'm currently 25, but I was also 16 not too long ago and much more sensitive to how people looked at me when I was in public. The truth is that most blind people are a lot neater than many people with sight because we naturally have to work and think harder about it. Don't stress so much, just practice and the confidence will come. Drew -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 7:33 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food It is me who thinks I look like a 4 year old. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Lisa Belville lisa...@frontier.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:33:01 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Jessica, who is telling you touching your food makes you look like a four year old? Because if it's your parents, they need to learn the difference between sloppy eating habits and well used alternative, nonvisual techniques. IMO, there's a huge difference between discretely touching a piece of meet versus running your hands all over the plate to locate the meet and pushing it into other food or right off the plate in the process. One is a quick nonvisual way to locate the meat while the other is more of a sloppy action that would cause attention to you if you pushed off the food. Here again, the advice you're getting is from blind people in all walks of life in all stages of blindness and in all levels of proficiency. The common thread here is that you will need, at least initially, to touch your food. If you're too embarrassed to do it in public, then do it in the privacy of your kitchen when no one is around. Lisa Belville lisa...@frontier.com missktlab1...@frontier.com - Original Message - From: Jessica Brown jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:41 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food It is not just what works for me. It is also about not looking like a 4 year old in public. I understand that exceptions need to be made for blind people but touching your food is taking it too far! On 1/23/12, Tom Dickhoner tdickho...@fuse.net wrote: Again, as far as the fingers are concerned, I can't remember anyone frowning on me using them except for teachers of the blind who made a big deal out of doing that. I believe that good eddiquette is important. I don't believe in picking up food from the plate and putting it in my mouth unless it is fried chicken, a hamburger, french fries and the like. As long as you use the fork or spoon and use the fingers as a guide, I see nothing wrong with that. We're blind, others in the restaurant or meeting are eating and watching what they are eating or talking to others. The only gawking would be if one's head is in the plate, picking up food that should be eaten with a fork or just bad manners. Other than that whatever else you do is fine. Jessica, I didn't know you are only 16. In time you will mature, and you will learn to do what works best for you. -Original Message- From: Sisi Ben-Simon fireb...@netvision.net.il Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:25 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I use bread sometimes but I try not to use fingers when I'm not alone, especially in a restaurant. I prefer to cut a piece and eat it and then cut another one, not the whole stake or pancake at once. This way it really doesn't matter where I started and where I should be cutting. When I'm in a restaurant or a hotel eating an omlet or some other fluffy egg I just put it on a piece of toast so I don't have to struggle with food sliding down the plate or on the table. Jesica you're only 16 so you have a lot of time to learn and find out whatever works for you. Take care Sisi - Original Message - From: Tom Dickhoner tdickho...@fuse.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 9:07 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food AA pusher is a piece of bread or a eating utensel such as a knofe that allows you to be able to get the food from the late to the fork. You hold the bread to the food, you find it, and you guide the bread to the fork. It is supposed to look dignified, and it is suppose to avoid using fingers. I have no problem with fingers. They work better than a knife or a piece of bread ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Jessica, Are you being mainstreamed? Who taught you to use your BrailleNote and who provided it? Did you have a TVI (teacher of the visually impaired) I also use a BrailleNote. Do you have speech, braille or both? I hope we are able to help you without invading your privacy. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:20:36 -0800 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I am ambidextrous. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:43:41 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Another thought I just had is this, and I should have thought of it before. People say to put the knife in the right hand and the fork in the left. I could not do this, even though people may insist that this is the correct way to do it. The majority of people are right handed, so they put the knife in their right hand. Are you left handed, like me? Switching their instructions to fit your needs makes all the difference in the world. For example, I've been playing the guitar since 1968, but there's no way I can play one that is strung for a left handed person who fingers the fret board and making the chords with their right hand, because I've been doing it with my left hand for so long.. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: Alex Hall mehg...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 6:42 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I'm coming in late here, I know. I generally use my fork, in my left hand, to find the meat. I then find an edge or corner, move in a bit to approximate a bite-sized piece, then put the fork into the meat so the back is facing the rest of the meat, the tines facing outward, the handle straight up or tilted away from the rest of the meat. I then move the knife to the back of the fork and cut down, using the fork as a guide. If the piece is too big, which you can tell either by using the knife or fork to feel it or by judging the weight once you have it on the fork, just cut it in half by using the same fork/knife trick as above. For anything I put a topping on, like pancakes, there is no question: cut it first, then add what you want on top. I usually cut the item in half (or as close to half as I can get), then rotate the plate ninety degrees and cut in half again. I now have four quarters that I can concentrate on one at a time. Of course, I usually end up with some very large pieces that I have to cut again. Pancakes and other lighter, flat foods are good since you can usually tell the size of the piece by moving the fork a tiny bit once you stab the piece and pick it up. The balance of the piece, and the overall weight, will usually tell you if the piece is too large and where the excess is. It takes practice to read clues like this, but if you practice at home, where you can shamelessly feel the food if you need to, I think you'll get it. At home, I often use my left hand as a guide, which I know I shouldn't do... but I'm at home, so I figure it does not really matter. I will also sometimes simply tear up the food, especially things like pancakes. When I am out somewhere, I try to stick to things that will not give me too much trouble - fried finger foods, burgers, pasta dishes with little excess sauce (alfredo, for example), that sort of thing. I think a lot of it is just accepting that, when you can't see your food, you will have to find and cut it differently than others. Getting good with using a knife or fork as a sort of food cane, and judging sizes and placements of pieces by how they feel on the fork, is important. However, it is even more important to simply not think about what others might be thinking (yes, I completely understand how hard that can be). Also, you may want to find a good friend, and try out different techniques with him or her; s/he can give you an idea of what is commonly accepted as normal or acceptable, and you can try out different adaptations of techniques and ideas. Together, I am sure you can work out things that look fine but still work for you. As someone else said, if you can find a blind person in your area with whom you can work, that would also be a very good idea. Hope this helps some. On 1/23/12, Suzanne Erb suze...@comcast.net wrote: Jessica, Cutting up food does take lots of practice, and, I think e've all been there, so my heart goes out to you. When I was getting my first dog at the Seeing Eye, at age 18, I was so concerned about how I looked that I didn't eat either the steak or the fried chicken. I was afraid that everyone was eating the fried chicken with a knife and fork. Of course, anyone who knows anything about the Seeing Eye's food, knows that I forfeited some fine food at the expense of looks. I learned quite a bit
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Yes I have a tvi. i got my bn from my school and tought myself to use it. On 1/24/12, jill o'connell jillo...@verizon.net wrote: Jessica, Are you being mainstreamed? Who taught you to use your BrailleNote and who provided it? Did you have a TVI (teacher of the visually impaired) I also use a BrailleNote. Do you have speech, braille or both? I hope we are able to help you without invading your privacy. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:20:36 -0800 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I am ambidextrous. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:43:41 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Another thought I just had is this, and I should have thought of it before. People say to put the knife in the right hand and the fork in the left. I could not do this, even though people may insist that this is the correct way to do it. The majority of people are right handed, so they put the knife in their right hand. Are you left handed, like me? Switching their instructions to fit your needs makes all the difference in the world. For example, I've been playing the guitar since 1968, but there's no way I can play one that is strung for a left handed person who fingers the fret board and making the chords with their right hand, because I've been doing it with my left hand for so long.. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: Alex Hall mehg...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 6:42 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I'm coming in late here, I know. I generally use my fork, in my left hand, to find the meat. I then find an edge or corner, move in a bit to approximate a bite-sized piece, then put the fork into the meat so the back is facing the rest of the meat, the tines facing outward, the handle straight up or tilted away from the rest of the meat. I then move the knife to the back of the fork and cut down, using the fork as a guide. If the piece is too big, which you can tell either by using the knife or fork to feel it or by judging the weight once you have it on the fork, just cut it in half by using the same fork/knife trick as above. For anything I put a topping on, like pancakes, there is no question: cut it first, then add what you want on top. I usually cut the item in half (or as close to half as I can get), then rotate the plate ninety degrees and cut in half again. I now have four quarters that I can concentrate on one at a time. Of course, I usually end up with some very large pieces that I have to cut again. Pancakes and other lighter, flat foods are good since you can usually tell the size of the piece by moving the fork a tiny bit once you stab the piece and pick it up. The balance of the piece, and the overall weight, will usually tell you if the piece is too large and where the excess is. It takes practice to read clues like this, but if you practice at home, where you can shamelessly feel the food if you need to, I think you'll get it. At home, I often use my left hand as a guide, which I know I shouldn't do... but I'm at home, so I figure it does not really matter. I will also sometimes simply tear up the food, especially things like pancakes. When I am out somewhere, I try to stick to things that will not give me too much trouble - fried finger foods, burgers, pasta dishes with little excess sauce (alfredo, for example), that sort of thing. I think a lot of it is just accepting that, when you can't see your food, you will have to find and cut it differently than others. Getting good with using a knife or fork as a sort of food cane, and judging sizes and placements of pieces by how they feel on the fork, is important. However, it is even more important to simply not think about what others might be thinking (yes, I completely understand how hard that can be). Also, you may want to find a good friend, and try out different techniques with him or her; s/he can give you an idea of what is commonly accepted as normal or acceptable, and you can try out different adaptations of techniques and ideas. Together, I am sure you can work out things that look fine but still work for you. As someone else said, if you can find a blind person in your area with whom you can work, that would also be a very good idea. Hope this helps some. On 1/23/12, Suzanne Erb suze...@comcast.net wrote: Jessica, Cutting up food does take lots of practice, and, I think e've all been there, so my heart goes out to you. When I was getting my first dog at the Seeing Eye, at age 18, I was so concerned about how I looked that I didn't eat either the steak
Re: [CnD] cutting food.
As a teenager and 50% of the world are concerned about how things look. Looks are not always important but results are always important. One can not achieve perfection without going through imperfection. As you practice your skills will get better. You have been given a great many different ways of doing things on this list try them all in the privacy of your own home even if it is in the very privacy of your own room then decide what is acceptable to you and practice it until you feel comfortable with that approach. Then try it out on your family and friends and then go to the nicest restaurant you can afford and use your skills to the best of your ability. If any one says anything to you about how you are doing something ask them to do it with their eyes closed . Remember, no one is perfect not even the wighted. As you Mature you will look back at this time in your life and wonder why you were so concerned because by then you will have had the practice and you will have become comfortable with your abilities. Remember too that no one has ever been perfect especially in the beginning. I have rambled on long enough so have a wonderful day and Smile -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 6:52 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Yes. That is what I do to. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Alex Hall mehg...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:47:00 -0500 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. How are you holding the fork and knife in relation to each other? I find it best to put the knife blade against the back of the fork, then cut down from there. Also, you will have to reposition the fork for each cut, at least I do. That way you can use the fork to help judge the size of the piece you will be cutting, and having the fork close to the knife gives you more stabilizing ability. I hope I understood you correctly. On 1/23/12, jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com wrote: I mean that I try to use the fork to keep the food from moving around but when I cut with the knife I cut the part that the fork is under and then all of the food is free to move around. No! I do not want you to shut up. You are being very helpful. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Heidi Thomas heidi.thoma...@comcast.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:26:20 - Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hehehe, no offense taken ... Hope you're not either ... Eating with my hands is probably appalling to you and I'm sorry to offend you. ... So I didn't understand an do now, how do you mean cutting food out from under the fork? If you want me to shut up because I'm not being of any help, I will. Smile just say so, No, is the answer if it is no. I'm really sorry. Heidi -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: 23 January 2012 15:15 To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hi. I am trying to cut the food for myself but I do not like cutting one bight at a time. That is why I want to learn how to do it all at once. Wen I try to cut from the edge in, Every time I make a cut a new edge is formed and I can not tell what edge to cut from. I do not want to touch my food because that makes my hands messy and other people do not like me touching my food. I do not like touching my food either. When I try to hold the food from moving with the fork I end up cutting the food out from under the fork and then it moves around. I do not mean to offend you. That is just my feelings around the situation. Sorry for the long email. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: ajackson...@att.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:05:24 -0500 Subject: [CnD] cutting food. Hi, Jessica, Learning to cut food takes some practice. It's always best to start from the edge and work in; if you are cutting it for yourself, perhaps cutting one bite at a time would be easier. If you are cutting it for some one else, such as a young child, you may need the help of a very clean finger to touch the edge of the food and guide you to where to make the next cut. Using a fork to hold the food in place also keeps it from sliding all over the plate. Hope this helps, Alice ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food.
Jessica Where are you from? -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 8:40 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. I mean that When I use the fork to hold the food from moving I end up cutting the piece of food that the fork is holding and then the fork is no longer holding the food from moving. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:32:33 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. I don't follow what you mean by the food that the fork is under. The fork is stabbed down into the meat, then you use the fork as a guide for the knife. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 5:55 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. I mean that I try to use the fork to keep the food from moving around but when I cut with the knife I cut the part that the fork is under and then all of the food is free to move around. No! I do not want you to shut up. You are being very helpful. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Heidi Thomas heidi.thoma...@comcast.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:26:20 - Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hehehe, no offense taken ... Hope you're not either ... Eating with my hands is probably appalling to you and I'm sorry to offend you. ... So I didn't understand an do now, how do you mean cutting food out from under the fork? If you want me to shut up because I'm not being of any help, I will. Smile just say so, No, is the answer if it is no. I'm really sorry. Heidi -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: 23 January 2012 15:15 To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hi. I am trying to cut the food for myself but I do not like cutting one bight at a time. That is why I want to learn how to do it all at once. Wen I try to cut from the edge in, Every time I make a cut a new edge is formed and I can not tell what edge to cut from. I do not want to touch my food because that makes my hands messy and other people do not like me touching my food. I do not like touching my food either. When I try to hold the food from moving with the fork I end up cutting the food out from under the fork and then it moves around. I do not mean to offend you. That is just my feelings around the situation. Sorry for the long email. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: ajackson...@att.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:05:24 -0500 Subject: [CnD] cutting food. Hi, Jessica, Learning to cut food takes some practice. It's always best to start from the edge and work in; if you are cutting it for yourself, perhaps cutting one bite at a time would be easier. If you are cutting it for some one else, such as a young child, you may need the help of a very clean finger to touch the edge of the food and guide you to where to make the next cut. Using a fork to hold the food in place also keeps it from sliding all over the plate. Hope this helps, Alice ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Doesn't your TVI provide life skills lessons? Maybe it is just where I live, but I was under the impression that TVIs were supposed to teach all sorts of things like this, not just braille and computer skills. If not, perhaps your TVI can recommend somewhere you can pick up this sort of thing? On 1/24/12, Jessica Brown jessicabrown...@gmail.com wrote: Yes I have a tvi. i got my bn from my school and tought myself to use it. On 1/24/12, jill o'connell jillo...@verizon.net wrote: Jessica, Are you being mainstreamed? Who taught you to use your BrailleNote and who provided it? Did you have a TVI (teacher of the visually impaired) I also use a BrailleNote. Do you have speech, braille or both? I hope we are able to help you without invading your privacy. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:20:36 -0800 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I am ambidextrous. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:43:41 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Another thought I just had is this, and I should have thought of it before. People say to put the knife in the right hand and the fork in the left. I could not do this, even though people may insist that this is the correct way to do it. The majority of people are right handed, so they put the knife in their right hand. Are you left handed, like me? Switching their instructions to fit your needs makes all the difference in the world. For example, I've been playing the guitar since 1968, but there's no way I can play one that is strung for a left handed person who fingers the fret board and making the chords with their right hand, because I've been doing it with my left hand for so long.. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: Alex Hall mehg...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 6:42 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I'm coming in late here, I know. I generally use my fork, in my left hand, to find the meat. I then find an edge or corner, move in a bit to approximate a bite-sized piece, then put the fork into the meat so the back is facing the rest of the meat, the tines facing outward, the handle straight up or tilted away from the rest of the meat. I then move the knife to the back of the fork and cut down, using the fork as a guide. If the piece is too big, which you can tell either by using the knife or fork to feel it or by judging the weight once you have it on the fork, just cut it in half by using the same fork/knife trick as above. For anything I put a topping on, like pancakes, there is no question: cut it first, then add what you want on top. I usually cut the item in half (or as close to half as I can get), then rotate the plate ninety degrees and cut in half again. I now have four quarters that I can concentrate on one at a time. Of course, I usually end up with some very large pieces that I have to cut again. Pancakes and other lighter, flat foods are good since you can usually tell the size of the piece by moving the fork a tiny bit once you stab the piece and pick it up. The balance of the piece, and the overall weight, will usually tell you if the piece is too large and where the excess is. It takes practice to read clues like this, but if you practice at home, where you can shamelessly feel the food if you need to, I think you'll get it. At home, I often use my left hand as a guide, which I know I shouldn't do... but I'm at home, so I figure it does not really matter. I will also sometimes simply tear up the food, especially things like pancakes. When I am out somewhere, I try to stick to things that will not give me too much trouble - fried finger foods, burgers, pasta dishes with little excess sauce (alfredo, for example), that sort of thing. I think a lot of it is just accepting that, when you can't see your food, you will have to find and cut it differently than others. Getting good with using a knife or fork as a sort of food cane, and judging sizes and placements of pieces by how they feel on the fork, is important. However, it is even more important to simply not think about what others might be thinking (yes, I completely understand how hard that can be). Also, you may want to find a good friend, and try out different techniques with him or her; s/he can give you an idea of what is commonly accepted as normal or acceptable, and you can try out different adaptations of techniques and ideas. Together, I am sure you can work out things that look fine but still work for you. As someone else said, if you can find a blind person in your area with whom you can work, that would also be a very good
Re: [CnD] cutting food.
Hi. I am trying to cut the food for myself but I do not like cutting one bight at a time. That is why I want to learn how to do it all at once. Wen I try to cut from the edge in, Every time I make a cut a new edge is formed and I can not tell what edge to cut from. I do not want to touch my food because that makes my hands messy and other people do not like me touching my food. I do not like touching my food either. When I try to hold the food from moving with the fork I end up cutting the food out from under the fork and then it moves around. I do not mean to offend you. That is just my feelings around the situation. Sorry for the long email. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: ajackson...@att.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:05:24 -0500 Subject: [CnD] cutting food. Hi, Jessica, Learning to cut food takes some practice. It's always best to start from the edge and work in; if you are cutting it for yourself, perhaps cutting one bite at a time would be easier. If you are cutting it for some one else, such as a young child, you may need the help of a very clean finger to touch the edge of the food and guide you to where to make the next cut. Using a fork to hold the food in place also keeps it from sliding all over the plate. Hope this helps, Alice ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food.
If there are sighted people around, ask them to cut it for you. If you are at a restaurant, ask the waitress if it can be cut in the kitchen before she brings it to your table. My motto is if someone else can do it without too much trouble - great. If I am by myself, then I can make as much of a mess cutting my food as I want to. I understand your desire to do it yourself and my experiences might not be right for you. Thought I'd share, though. Jean - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 8:15 AM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hi. I am trying to cut the food for myself but I do not like cutting one bight at a time. That is why I want to learn how to do it all at once. Wen I try to cut from the edge in, Every time I make a cut a new edge is formed and I can not tell what edge to cut from. I do not want to touch my food because that makes my hands messy and other people do not like me touching my food. I do not like touching my food either. When I try to hold the food from moving with the fork I end up cutting the food out from under the fork and then it moves around. I do not mean to offend you. That is just my feelings around the situation. Sorry for the long email. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: ajackson...@att.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:05:24 -0500 Subject: [CnD] cutting food. Hi, Jessica, Learning to cut food takes some practice. It's always best to start from the edge and work in; if you are cutting it for yourself, perhaps cutting one bite at a time would be easier. If you are cutting it for some one else, such as a young child, you may need the help of a very clean finger to touch the edge of the food and guide you to where to make the next cut. Using a fork to hold the food in place also keeps it from sliding all over the plate. Hope this helps, Alice ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.1901 / Virus Database: 2109/4760 - Release Date: 01/22/12 57 Year Old Looks 27 Local Woman Reveals Wrinkle Secret That Has Doctors Angry. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4f1d7c7e45bca2d05efst04vuc ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food.
Jessica, when something is round like a pancake or waffle, cut across the middle and make it in to halves. Then, cut the other way, making it in to fourths. Don't like messy hands, don't eat. I have to cut messy stuff up for my kids all the time. You learn to get better at it, so that the mess isn't as bad. Practice makes perfect. If a sighted person is around and they don't like to see you cutting your food, ask them to do it for you, or tell them to shut their eyes and cut it yourself. Just my opinion. Shannon Wells On Jan 23, 2012, at 10:15 AM, jessica wrote: Hi. I am trying to cut the food for myself but I do not like cutting one bight at a time. That is why I want to learn how to do it all at once. Wen I try to cut from the edge in, Every time I make a cut a new edge is formed and I can not tell what edge to cut from. I do not want to touch my food because that makes my hands messy and other people do not like me touching my food. I do not like touching my food either. When I try to hold the food from moving with the fork I end up cutting the food out from under the fork and then it moves around. I do not mean to offend you. That is just my feelings around the situation. Sorry for the long email. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: ajackson...@att.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:05:24 -0500 Subject: [CnD] cutting food. Hi, Jessica, Learning to cut food takes some practice. It's always best to start from the edge and work in; if you are cutting it for yourself, perhaps cutting one bite at a time would be easier. If you are cutting it for some one else, such as a young child, you may need the help of a very clean finger to touch the edge of the food and guide you to where to make the next cut. Using a fork to hold the food in place also keeps it from sliding all over the plate. Hope this helps, Alice ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food.
You are correct about your method not working for me. I want full independence. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Jean Marcley jmarc...@juno.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:27:52 -0700 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. If there are sighted people around, ask them to cut it for you. If you are at a restaurant, ask the waitress if it can be cut in the kitchen before she brings it to your table. My motto is if someone else can do it without too much trouble - great. If I am by myself, then I can make as much of a mess cutting my food as I want to. I understand your desire to do it yourself and my experiences might not be right for you. Thought I'd share, though. Jean - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 8:15 AM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hi. I am trying to cut the food for myself but I do not like cutting one bight at a time. That is why I want to learn how to do it all at once. Wen I try to cut from the edge in, Every time I make a cut a new edge is formed and I can not tell what edge to cut from. I do not want to touch my food because that makes my hands messy and other people do not like me touching my food. I do not like touching my food either. When I try to hold the food from moving with the fork I end up cutting the food out from under the fork and then it moves around. I do not mean to offend you. That is just my feelings around the situation. Sorry for the long email. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: ajackson...@att.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:05:24 -0500 Subject: [CnD] cutting food. Hi, Jessica, Learning to cut food takes some practice. It's always best to start from the edge and work in; if you are cutting it for yourself, perhaps cutting one bite at a time would be easier. If you are cutting it for some one else, such as a young child, you may need the help of a very clean finger to touch the edge of the food and guide you to where to make the next cut. Using a fork to hold the food in place also keeps it from sliding all over the plate. Hope this helps, Alice ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.1901 / Virus Database: 2109/4760 - Release Date: 01/22/12 57 Year Old Looks 27 Local Woman Reveals Wrinkle Secret That Has Doctors Angry. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4f1d7c7e45bca2d05efst04v uc ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food.
Jessica, remember that this takes practice. Just because it doesn't work well now doesn't mean that you won't get better. It's true, sometimes those things will happen, but it's okay. Keep trying, and above all, try to be patient with yourself. This is something you're doing for yourself, and what other people think is not the most important thing. How you do a thing is not as important as that you do it. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 9:15 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hi. I am trying to cut the food for myself but I do not like cutting one bight at a time. That is why I want to learn how to do it all at once. Wen I try to cut from the edge in, Every time I make a cut a new edge is formed and I can not tell what edge to cut from. I do not want to touch my food because that makes my hands messy and other people do not like me touching my food. I do not like touching my food either. When I try to hold the food from moving with the fork I end up cutting the food out from under the fork and then it moves around. I do not mean to offend you. That is just my feelings around the situation. Sorry for the long email. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: ajackson...@att.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:05:24 -0500 Subject: [CnD] cutting food. Hi, Jessica, Learning to cut food takes some practice. It's always best to start from the edge and work in; if you are cutting it for yourself, perhaps cutting one bite at a time would be easier. If you are cutting it for some one else, such as a young child, you may need the help of a very clean finger to touch the edge of the food and guide you to where to make the next cut. Using a fork to hold the food in place also keeps it from sliding all over the plate. Hope this helps, Alice ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food.
You want full independence, but you don't want to have to check your progress with fingers while you're using that independence? I periodically check where things are on my plate using finger tips or a roll or other hand acceptable food item, and no one has ever said a word. I also cut bigger pieces, spear them on a fork, and nibble on them. No one has ever said anything about that either, save for the occasional comment that it's a big bite, which is satisfied when I start to nibble the piece down to a reasonable size. One more thing -- you said you want full independence. That's good, but don't forget that wants aren't needs, and you may have to settle for something less, especially as a transitional step, before you develop the skills. I'm trying to think of something that has a similar consistency to meat that you could get to practice on, like a slab of Styrofoam or foam rubber that you could cut into pieces to develop some knife and fork skills, but nothing is coming to mind right now. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 9:39 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. You are correct about your method not working for me. I want full independence. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Jean Marcley jmarc...@juno.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:27:52 -0700 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. If there are sighted people around, ask them to cut it for you. If you are at a restaurant, ask the waitress if it can be cut in the kitchen before she brings it to your table. My motto is if someone else can do it without too much trouble - great. If I am by myself, then I can make as much of a mess cutting my food as I want to. I understand your desire to do it yourself and my experiences might not be right for you. Thought I'd share, though. Jean - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 8:15 AM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hi. I am trying to cut the food for myself but I do not like cutting one bight at a time. That is why I want to learn how to do it all at once. Wen I try to cut from the edge in, Every time I make a cut a new edge is formed and I can not tell what edge to cut from. I do not want to touch my food because that makes my hands messy and other people do not like me touching my food. I do not like touching my food either. When I try to hold the food from moving with the fork I end up cutting the food out from under the fork and then it moves around. I do not mean to offend you. That is just my feelings around the situation. Sorry for the long email. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: ajackson...@att.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:05:24 -0500 Subject: [CnD] cutting food. Hi, Jessica, Learning to cut food takes some practice. It's always best to start from the edge and work in; if you are cutting it for yourself, perhaps cutting one bite at a time would be easier. If you are cutting it for some one else, such as a young child, you may need the help of a very clean finger to touch the edge of the food and guide you to where to make the next cut. Using a fork to hold the food in place also keeps it from sliding all over the plate. Hope this helps, Alice ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.1901 / Virus Database: 2109/4760 - Release Date: 01/22/12 57 Year Old Looks 27 Local Woman Reveals Wrinkle Secret That Has Doctors Angry. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4f1d7c7e45bca2d05efst04v uc ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food.
In this case, I think that whatever works works. If others don't like it, it's their problem. I would cut straight across the middle of a soft round object like a pancake, then turn it a quarter of the way and cut at the same angle and direction. Using a compass as a reference, cut from north to south, then east to west. If you want it in eighths, cut from northeast to southwest, then northwest to southeast. You can keep the cutter in the same position, turning the plate to the desired direction and cut as before. With a pancake, very little pressure is needed. If you want to make it really easy, use a pizza wheel if you have one. To avoid messy syrup and stuff, apply it after cutting rather than before. HTH. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: Debbra Piening debbra.pien...@att.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 9:44 AM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Jessica, remember that this takes practice. Just because it doesn't work well now doesn't mean that you won't get better. It's true, sometimes those things will happen, but it's okay. Keep trying, and above all, try to be patient with yourself. This is something you're doing for yourself, and what other people think is not the most important thing. How you do a thing is not as important as that you do it. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 9:15 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hi. I am trying to cut the food for myself but I do not like cutting one bight at a time. That is why I want to learn how to do it all at once. Wen I try to cut from the edge in, Every time I make a cut a new edge is formed and I can not tell what edge to cut from. I do not want to touch my food because that makes my hands messy and other people do not like me touching my food. I do not like touching my food either. When I try to hold the food from moving with the fork I end up cutting the food out from under the fork and then it moves around. I do not mean to offend you. That is just my feelings around the situation. Sorry for the long email. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: ajackson...@att.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:05:24 -0500 Subject: [CnD] cutting food. Hi, Jessica, Learning to cut food takes some practice. It's always best to start from the edge and work in; if you are cutting it for yourself, perhaps cutting one bite at a time would be easier. If you are cutting it for some one else, such as a young child, you may need the help of a very clean finger to touch the edge of the food and guide you to where to make the next cut. Using a fork to hold the food in place also keeps it from sliding all over the plate. Hope this helps, Alice ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
[CnD] cutting food
Jessica, I use a fork, not only to keep the food still, but also as a guide...Stick the fork as far from the edge as the slice you want...After you go one way, then take the fork and stick it in the slices to cut them into chunks, if you need...Everyone is right, though, it takes a LOT of practice, and it can get messy, so you may want to practice on your own, first...I hope I explained that well enough... Hope it helps Kimberly ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
This was what I was going to suggest as well, with a modification or two. For even chunks, take the fork, after using your knife to find the edges of the meat or other food, and place the fork in the meat near one edge. Cut with the knife perpendicular to the fork's tines until that entire strip is free. Then move the fork to the next strip and cut the meat into strips. If you want it in chunks instead of strips, turn the plate 90° and then use your knife and fork to find the first strip. Place the fork near the middle and cut starting at the ends and working toward the center, cutting center chunks using your fork as your guide. Move to the other strips and cut as well. This should help. This brings me to a question. Jessica, how long have you been blind? Have you had any training to help you deal with this blindness? This is a standard Vocational Rehabilitation Trainer exercise, so this is why I ask. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Kimberly Qualls Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 10:05 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: [CnD] cutting food Jessica, I use a fork, not only to keep the food still, but also as a guide...Stick the fork as far from the edge as the slice you want...After you go one way, then take the fork and stick it in the slices to cut them into chunks, if you need...Everyone is right, though, it takes a LOT of practice, and it can get messy, so you may want to practice on your own, first...I hope I explained that well enough... Hope it helps Kimberly ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
[CnD] Cutting Food
Hi, Jessica. I'm Tom Dickhoner. I live in Cincinnati, Ohio. I have been on the Cooking In The Dark Radio list for quite some time. The hints you get and the people who give you the information, you will find, will be most helpful. As far as being able to cut food is concerned, it takes time and patience. I admire your independence. I cut food on my own when I am at home, and depending on what is on my plate, I cut my food while I am at other people's houses. When I go to a restaurant I ask the server if the meat can be cut in the kitchen. I have often gotten a positive response to this. Don't be too self conscientious. I tried to be prim and proper not using my fingers to touch the food and all. I don't worry about that. One has to do what works best for him. As long as you use good manners at the table, you will do just fine. Hope this helps. Tom Dickhoner ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food.
This is how I do it. I learned to use the knife and fork to see how big my meat is and then find how big I want the bite to be and stick the fork in the meat to hold it in place and take the knife behind the fork and cut off the bite. If you want to cut the meat all at one time find out what is on the plate and then cut the meat and move it with the fork to the middle of the plate or toward a part of the plate that has something that will not slide off the plate easily. My husband said he was taught to cut the meat in to strips and then turn the plate a half turn and cut the strips in smaller peases. Most sighted people are busy eating and not going to watch you that much and besides sighted people are messy themselves. Lois - Original Message - From: Nicole Massey To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 9:51 AM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. You want full independence, but you don't want to have to check your progress with fingers while you're using that independence? I periodically check where things are on my plate using finger tips or a roll or other hand acceptable food item, and no one has ever said a word. I also cut bigger pieces, spear them on a fork, and nibble on them. No one has ever said anything about that either, save for the occasional comment that it's a big bite, which is satisfied when I start to nibble the piece down to a reasonable size. One more thing -- you said you want full independence. That's good, but don't forget that wants aren't needs, and you may have to settle for something less, especially as a transitional step, before you develop the skills. I'm trying to think of something that has a similar consistency to meat that you could get to practice on, like a slab of Styrofoam or foam rubber that you could cut into pieces to develop some knife and fork skills, but nothing is coming to mind right now. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 9:39 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. You are correct about your method not working for me. I want full independence. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Jean Marcley jmarc...@juno.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:27:52 -0700 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. If there are sighted people around, ask them to cut it for you. If you are at a restaurant, ask the waitress if it can be cut in the kitchen before she brings it to your table. My motto is if someone else can do it without too much trouble - great. If I am by myself, then I can make as much of a mess cutting my food as I want to. I understand your desire to do it yourself and my experiences might not be right for you. Thought I'd share, though. Jean - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 8:15 AM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hi. I am trying to cut the food for myself but I do not like cutting one bight at a time. That is why I want to learn how to do it all at once. Wen I try to cut from the edge in, Every time I make a cut a new edge is formed and I can not tell what edge to cut from. I do not want to touch my food because that makes my hands messy and other people do not like me touching my food. I do not like touching my food either. When I try to hold the food from moving with the fork I end up cutting the food out from under the fork and then it moves around. I do not mean to offend you. That is just my feelings around the situation. Sorry for the long email. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: ajackson...@att.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:05:24 -0500 Subject: [CnD] cutting food. Hi, Jessica, Learning to cut food takes some practice. It's always best to start from the edge and work in; if you are cutting it for yourself, perhaps cutting one bite at a time would be easier. If you are cutting it for some one else, such as a young child, you may need the help of a very clean finger to touch the edge of the food and guide you to where to make the next cut. Using a fork to hold the food in place also keeps it from sliding all over the plate. Hope this helps, Alice ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food.
Hehehe, no offense taken ... Hope you're not either ... Eating with my hands is probably appalling to you and I'm sorry to offend you. ... So I didn't understand an do now, how do you mean cutting food out from under the fork? If you want me to shut up because I'm not being of any help, I will. Smile just say so, No, is the answer if it is no. I'm really sorry. Heidi -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: 23 January 2012 15:15 To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hi. I am trying to cut the food for myself but I do not like cutting one bight at a time. That is why I want to learn how to do it all at once. Wen I try to cut from the edge in, Every time I make a cut a new edge is formed and I can not tell what edge to cut from. I do not want to touch my food because that makes my hands messy and other people do not like me touching my food. I do not like touching my food either. When I try to hold the food from moving with the fork I end up cutting the food out from under the fork and then it moves around. I do not mean to offend you. That is just my feelings around the situation. Sorry for the long email. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: ajackson...@att.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:05:24 -0500 Subject: [CnD] cutting food. Hi, Jessica, Learning to cut food takes some practice. It's always best to start from the edge and work in; if you are cutting it for yourself, perhaps cutting one bite at a time would be easier. If you are cutting it for some one else, such as a young child, you may need the help of a very clean finger to touch the edge of the food and guide you to where to make the next cut. Using a fork to hold the food in place also keeps it from sliding all over the plate. Hope this helps, Alice ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food.
Very well said, Nicole. I like it! Jessica, wanting full independence is awesome. But to get there, you're going to have to practice and probably get your hands messy at times along the way. I, too, am trying to think of something you could practice on that has the same consistency as meat. If you are alone when you eat your meals at times, it is a perfect time to always practice cutting up your food. I take my time when I cut mine, feel my steak with my fork and knife to tell which is the piece I cut, and which is the remainder of the steak that needs cutting. If I try to rush and cut up the meat quickly, that's when it wants to slide all over my plate. I have also been known to very discretely touch to see if I'm on the right track. In all of these suggestions, tips and support, there could be something you can use. I hope this helps. Rhonda - Original Message - From: Nicole Massey ny...@gypsyheir.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 10:51 AM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. You want full independence, but you don't want to have to check your progress with fingers while you're using that independence? I periodically check where things are on my plate using finger tips or a roll or other hand acceptable food item, and no one has ever said a word. I also cut bigger pieces, spear them on a fork, and nibble on them. No one has ever said anything about that either, save for the occasional comment that it's a big bite, which is satisfied when I start to nibble the piece down to a reasonable size. One more thing -- you said you want full independence. That's good, but don't forget that wants aren't needs, and you may have to settle for something less, especially as a transitional step, before you develop the skills. I'm trying to think of something that has a similar consistency to meat that you could get to practice on, like a slab of Styrofoam or foam rubber that you could cut into pieces to develop some knife and fork skills, but nothing is coming to mind right now. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 9:39 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. You are correct about your method not working for me. I want full independence. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Jean Marcley jmarc...@juno.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:27:52 -0700 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. If there are sighted people around, ask them to cut it for you. If you are at a restaurant, ask the waitress if it can be cut in the kitchen before she brings it to your table. My motto is if someone else can do it without too much trouble - great. If I am by myself, then I can make as much of a mess cutting my food as I want to. I understand your desire to do it yourself and my experiences might not be right for you. Thought I'd share, though. Jean - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 8:15 AM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hi. I am trying to cut the food for myself but I do not like cutting one bight at a time. That is why I want to learn how to do it all at once. Wen I try to cut from the edge in, Every time I make a cut a new edge is formed and I can not tell what edge to cut from. I do not want to touch my food because that makes my hands messy and other people do not like me touching my food. I do not like touching my food either. When I try to hold the food from moving with the fork I end up cutting the food out from under the fork and then it moves around. I do not mean to offend you. That is just my feelings around the situation. Sorry for the long email. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: ajackson...@att.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:05:24 -0500 Subject: [CnD] cutting food. Hi, Jessica, Learning to cut food takes some practice. It's always best to start from the edge and work in; if you are cutting it for yourself, perhaps cutting one bite at a time would be easier. If you are cutting it for some one else, such as a young child, you may need the help of a very clean finger to touch the edge of the food and guide you to where to make the next cut. Using a fork to hold the food in place also keeps it from sliding all over the plate. Hope this helps, Alice ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version
Re: [CnD] cutting food.
Oops, this was supposed to be a reply to a very similar PM ... Oh, my do I feel silly. blush -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Heidi Thomas Sent: 23 January 2012 16:26 To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hehehe, no offense taken ... Hope you're not either ... Eating with my hands is probably appalling to you and I'm sorry to offend you. ... So I didn't understand an do now, how do you mean cutting food out from under the fork? If you want me to shut up because I'm not being of any help, I will. Smile just say so, No, is the answer if it is no. I'm really sorry. Heidi -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: 23 January 2012 15:15 To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hi. I am trying to cut the food for myself but I do not like cutting one bight at a time. That is why I want to learn how to do it all at once. Wen I try to cut from the edge in, Every time I make a cut a new edge is formed and I can not tell what edge to cut from. I do not want to touch my food because that makes my hands messy and other people do not like me touching my food. I do not like touching my food either. When I try to hold the food from moving with the fork I end up cutting the food out from under the fork and then it moves around. I do not mean to offend you. That is just my feelings around the situation. Sorry for the long email. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: ajackson...@att.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:05:24 -0500 Subject: [CnD] cutting food. Hi, Jessica, Learning to cut food takes some practice. It's always best to start from the edge and work in; if you are cutting it for yourself, perhaps cutting one bite at a time would be easier. If you are cutting it for some one else, such as a young child, you may need the help of a very clean finger to touch the edge of the food and guide you to where to make the next cut. Using a fork to hold the food in place also keeps it from sliding all over the plate. Hope this helps, Alice ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Jessica, I am Tom Dickhoner, and I am back again. I have been on the cooking in the Dark mailing list since early fall. I am relatively new to the list, so be that as it may. I admire anyone who wants to be independent. Back in 1974, I had an orientation and mobility instructor who gave me this helpful information, and it has stuck with me ever since. At the time, I was 22 years old, and I wanted to conquer the world. He said this. He told me that part of being independent was not so much doing things by yourself. It also meant that there are times when you realize you need help. I use my fingers all the time. I have tried eating European Stile using a knife as a pusher. They also taught us in grade school to use a piece of bread as a pusher. Those teachers, though good their advice was, only was used to make us prim and proper. You have to do what works best for you. Most people don't say anything. In fact, I was taught that when people eat meat, they cut one piece at a time, and then cut the next piece when they are ready to eat it. That's a lot of information, and I hope this helps. -Original Message- From: Nicole Massey ny...@gypsyheir.com Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 11:12 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food This was what I was going to suggest as well, with a modification or two. For even chunks, take the fork, after using your knife to find the edges of the meat or other food, and place the fork in the meat near one edge. Cut with the knife perpendicular to the fork's tines until that entire strip is free. Then move the fork to the next strip and cut the meat into strips. If you want it in chunks instead of strips, turn the plate 90° and then use your knife and fork to find the first strip. Place the fork near the middle and cut starting at the ends and working toward the center, cutting center chunks using your fork as your guide. Move to the other strips and cut as well. This should help. This brings me to a question. Jessica, how long have you been blind? Have you had any training to help you deal with this blindness? This is a standard Vocational Rehabilitation Trainer exercise, so this is why I ask. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Kimberly Qualls Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 10:05 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: [CnD] cutting food Jessica, I use a fork, not only to keep the food still, but also as a guide...Stick the fork as far from the edge as the slice you want...After you go one way, then take the fork and stick it in the slices to cut them into chunks, if you need...Everyone is right, though, it takes a LOT of practice, and it can get messy, so you may want to practice on your own, first...I hope I explained that well enough... Hope it helps Kimberly ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
I have tryed that before. It does not work for me. On 1/23/12, Kimberly Qualls kimberly021...@gmail.com wrote: Jessica, I use a fork, not only to keep the food still, but also as a guide...Stick the fork as far from the edge as the slice you want...After you go one way, then take the fork and stick it in the slices to cut them into chunks, if you need...Everyone is right, though, it takes a LOT of practice, and it can get messy, so you may want to practice on your own, first...I hope I explained that well enough... Hope it helps Kimberly ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- sent from my BrailleNote ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Once again. I have tried this before as well and it did not work for me. I am 16 years old and have been blind all my life. People have tryed to help teach me but no one seems to know how to teach me and it never goes well. On 1/23/12, Nicole Massey ny...@gypsyheir.com wrote: This was what I was going to suggest as well, with a modification or two. For even chunks, take the fork, after using your knife to find the edges of the meat or other food, and place the fork in the meat near one edge. Cut with the knife perpendicular to the fork's tines until that entire strip is free. Then move the fork to the next strip and cut the meat into strips. If you want it in chunks instead of strips, turn the plate 90° and then use your knife and fork to find the first strip. Place the fork near the middle and cut starting at the ends and working toward the center, cutting center chunks using your fork as your guide. Move to the other strips and cut as well. This should help. This brings me to a question. Jessica, how long have you been blind? Have you had any training to help you deal with this blindness? This is a standard Vocational Rehabilitation Trainer exercise, so this is why I ask. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Kimberly Qualls Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 10:05 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: [CnD] cutting food Jessica, I use a fork, not only to keep the food still, but also as a guide...Stick the fork as far from the edge as the slice you want...After you go one way, then take the fork and stick it in the slices to cut them into chunks, if you need...Everyone is right, though, it takes a LOT of practice, and it can get messy, so you may want to practice on your own, first...I hope I explained that well enough... Hope it helps Kimberly ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- sent from my BrailleNote ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
What is a pusher? On 1/23/12, Tom Dickhoner tdickho...@fuse.net wrote: Jessica, I am Tom Dickhoner, and I am back again. I have been on the cooking in the Dark mailing list since early fall. I am relatively new to the list, so be that as it may. I admire anyone who wants to be independent. Back in 1974, I had an orientation and mobility instructor who gave me this helpful information, and it has stuck with me ever since. At the time, I was 22 years old, and I wanted to conquer the world. He said this. He told me that part of being independent was not so much doing things by yourself. It also meant that there are times when you realize you need help. I use my fingers all the time. I have tried eating European Stile using a knife as a pusher. They also taught us in grade school to use a piece of bread as a pusher. Those teachers, though good their advice was, only was used to make us prim and proper. You have to do what works best for you. Most people don't say anything. In fact, I was taught that when people eat meat, they cut one piece at a time, and then cut the next piece when they are ready to eat it. That's a lot of information, and I hope this helps. -Original Message- From: Nicole Massey ny...@gypsyheir.com Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 11:12 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food This was what I was going to suggest as well, with a modification or two. For even chunks, take the fork, after using your knife to find the edges of the meat or other food, and place the fork in the meat near one edge. Cut with the knife perpendicular to the fork's tines until that entire strip is free. Then move the fork to the next strip and cut the meat into strips. If you want it in chunks instead of strips, turn the plate 90° and then use your knife and fork to find the first strip. Place the fork near the middle and cut starting at the ends and working toward the center, cutting center chunks using your fork as your guide. Move to the other strips and cut as well. This should help. This brings me to a question. Jessica, how long have you been blind? Have you had any training to help you deal with this blindness? This is a standard Vocational Rehabilitation Trainer exercise, so this is why I ask. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Kimberly Qualls Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 10:05 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: [CnD] cutting food Jessica, I use a fork, not only to keep the food still, but also as a guide...Stick the fork as far from the edge as the slice you want...After you go one way, then take the fork and stick it in the slices to cut them into chunks, if you need...Everyone is right, though, it takes a LOT of practice, and it can get messy, so you may want to practice on your own, first...I hope I explained that well enough... Hope it helps Kimberly ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- sent from my BrailleNote ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
A pusher is something that helps to get the food on a fork or to keep food on the plate. Lois - Original Message - From: Jessica Brown To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 11:08 AM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food What is a pusher? On 1/23/12, Tom Dickhoner tdickho...@fuse.net wrote: Jessica, I am Tom Dickhoner, and I am back again. I have been on the cooking in the Dark mailing list since early fall. I am relatively new to the list, so be that as it may. I admire anyone who wants to be independent. Back in 1974, I had an orientation and mobility instructor who gave me this helpful information, and it has stuck with me ever since. At the time, I was 22 years old, and I wanted to conquer the world. He said this. He told me that part of being independent was not so much doing things by yourself. It also meant that there are times when you realize you need help. I use my fingers all the time. I have tried eating European Stile using a knife as a pusher. They also taught us in grade school to use a piece of bread as a pusher. Those teachers, though good their advice was, only was used to make us prim and proper. You have to do what works best for you. Most people don't say anything. In fact, I was taught that when people eat meat, they cut one piece at a time, and then cut the next piece when they are ready to eat it. That's a lot of information, and I hope this helps. -Original Message- From: Nicole Massey ny...@gypsyheir.com Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 11:12 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food This was what I was going to suggest as well, with a modification or two. For even chunks, take the fork, after using your knife to find the edges of the meat or other food, and place the fork in the meat near one edge. Cut with the knife perpendicular to the fork's tines until that entire strip is free. Then move the fork to the next strip and cut the meat into strips. If you want it in chunks instead of strips, turn the plate 90° and then use your knife and fork to find the first strip. Place the fork near the middle and cut starting at the ends and working toward the center, cutting center chunks using your fork as your guide. Move to the other strips and cut as well. This should help. This brings me to a question. Jessica, how long have you been blind? Have you had any training to help you deal with this blindness? This is a standard Vocational Rehabilitation Trainer exercise, so this is why I ask. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Kimberly Qualls Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 10:05 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: [CnD] cutting food Jessica, I use a fork, not only to keep the food still, but also as a guide...Stick the fork as far from the edge as the slice you want...After you go one way, then take the fork and stick it in the slices to cut them into chunks, if you need...Everyone is right, though, it takes a LOT of practice, and it can get messy, so you may want to practice on your own, first...I hope I explained that well enough... Hope it helps Kimberly ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- sent from my BrailleNote ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
I know you said that the fork technique does not work for you, and I have struggled with this also. It is very difficult to get the fork in just the right place, and use this technique effectively. One thing that was suggested to me as a way to practice by a blind living skills teacher is to get a package of kitchen sponges. You can use the sponges like they are a piece of meat to practice different cutting techniques. You might want to practice with the sponge dry as well as a tiny bit damp depending on how you like your meat. Hope this helps -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Jessica Brown Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 9:07 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Once again. I have tried this before as well and it did not work for me. I am 16 years old and have been blind all my life. People have tryed to help teach me but no one seems to know how to teach me and it never goes well. On 1/23/12, Nicole Massey ny...@gypsyheir.com wrote: This was what I was going to suggest as well, with a modification or two. For even chunks, take the fork, after using your knife to find the edges of the meat or other food, and place the fork in the meat near one edge. Cut with the knife perpendicular to the fork's tines until that entire strip is free. Then move the fork to the next strip and cut the meat into strips. If you want it in chunks instead of strips, turn the plate 90° and then use your knife and fork to find the first strip. Place the fork near the middle and cut starting at the ends and working toward the center, cutting center chunks using your fork as your guide. Move to the other strips and cut as well. This should help. This brings me to a question. Jessica, how long have you been blind? Have you had any training to help you deal with this blindness? This is a standard Vocational Rehabilitation Trainer exercise, so this is why I ask. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Kimberly Qualls Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 10:05 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: [CnD] cutting food Jessica, I use a fork, not only to keep the food still, but also as a guide...Stick the fork as far from the edge as the slice you want...After you go one way, then take the fork and stick it in the slices to cut them into chunks, if you need...Everyone is right, though, it takes a LOT of practice, and it can get messy, so you may want to practice on your own, first...I hope I explained that well enough... Hope it helps Kimberly ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- sent from my BrailleNote ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1416 / Virus Database: 2109/4761 - Release Date: 01/23/12 ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Have you tried using your fingers to see what you're doing, gradually using them less and less as you get used to what you're doing? Not with meat, but other cuttable material? You say that people have tried to teach you. Were these people trained to do so?, or were they friends and family members. Also, and I don't mean this as it may sound, but at age 16, how much practice have you had at trying to accomplish this? Some people give up if it doesn't work almost immediately, and this goes for people trying to teach as well as people trying to learn. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: Jessica Brown jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 11:06 AM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Once again. I have tried this before as well and it did not work for me. I am 16 years old and have been blind all my life. People have tryed to help teach me but no one seems to know how to teach me and it never goes well. On 1/23/12, Nicole Massey ny...@gypsyheir.com wrote: This was what I was going to suggest as well, with a modification or two. For even chunks, take the fork, after using your knife to find the edges of the meat or other food, and place the fork in the meat near one edge. Cut with the knife perpendicular to the fork's tines until that entire strip is free. Then move the fork to the next strip and cut the meat into strips. If you want it in chunks instead of strips, turn the plate 90° and then use your knife and fork to find the first strip. Place the fork near the middle and cut starting at the ends and working toward the center, cutting center chunks using your fork as your guide. Move to the other strips and cut as well. This should help. This brings me to a question. Jessica, how long have you been blind? Have you had any training to help you deal with this blindness? This is a standard Vocational Rehabilitation Trainer exercise, so this is why I ask. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Kimberly Qualls Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 10:05 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: [CnD] cutting food Jessica, I use a fork, not only to keep the food still, but also as a guide...Stick the fork as far from the edge as the slice you want...After you go one way, then take the fork and stick it in the slices to cut them into chunks, if you need...Everyone is right, though, it takes a LOT of practice, and it can get messy, so you may want to practice on your own, first...I hope I explained that well enough... Hope it helps Kimberly ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- sent from my BrailleNote ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Yes, yes, nodding head Heidi -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Charles Rivard Sent: 23 January 2012 18:29 To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Have you tried using your fingers to see what you're doing, gradually using them less and less as you get used to what you're doing? Not with meat, but other cuttable material? You say that people have tried to teach you. Were these people trained to do so?, or were they friends and family members. Also, and I don't mean this as it may sound, but at age 16, how much practice have you had at trying to accomplish this? Some people give up if it doesn't work almost immediately, and this goes for people trying to teach as well as people trying to learn. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: Jessica Brown jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 11:06 AM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Once again. I have tried this before as well and it did not work for me. I am 16 years old and have been blind all my life. People have tryed to help teach me but no one seems to know how to teach me and it never goes well. On 1/23/12, Nicole Massey ny...@gypsyheir.com wrote: This was what I was going to suggest as well, with a modification or two. For even chunks, take the fork, after using your knife to find the edges of the meat or other food, and place the fork in the meat near one edge. Cut with the knife perpendicular to the fork's tines until that entire strip is free. Then move the fork to the next strip and cut the meat into strips. If you want it in chunks instead of strips, turn the plate 90° and then use your knife and fork to find the first strip. Place the fork near the middle and cut starting at the ends and working toward the center, cutting center chunks using your fork as your guide. Move to the other strips and cut as well. This should help. This brings me to a question. Jessica, how long have you been blind? Have you had any training to help you deal with this blindness? This is a standard Vocational Rehabilitation Trainer exercise, so this is why I ask. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Kimberly Qualls Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 10:05 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: [CnD] cutting food Jessica, I use a fork, not only to keep the food still, but also as a guide...Stick the fork as far from the edge as the slice you want...After you go one way, then take the fork and stick it in the slices to cut them into chunks, if you need...Everyone is right, though, it takes a LOT of practice, and it can get messy, so you may want to practice on your own, first...I hope I explained that well enough... Hope it helps Kimberly ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- sent from my BrailleNote ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
AA pusher is a piece of bread or a eating utensel such as a knofe that allows you to be able to get the food from the late to the fork. You hold the bread to the food, you find it, and you guide the bread to the fork. It is supposed to look dignified, and it is suppose to avoid using fingers. I have no problem with fingers. They work better than a knife or a piece of bread ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food.
If I'm cutting up a piece of meat I try to use a separate plate. Especially a big one. This way as I cut I have plenty of space to move the cut pieces out of the way. Good luck. You will get the hang of it over time. -- Email services provided by the System Access Mobile Network. Visit www.serotek.com to learn more about accessibility anywhere. ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food.
exactly the way i look at things too Jean. It works for me to. Cheers Andrew - Original Message - From: Jean Marcley jmarc...@juno.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 4:27 AM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. If there are sighted people around, ask them to cut it for you. If you are at a restaurant, ask the waitress if it can be cut in the kitchen before she brings it to your table. My motto is if someone else can do it without too much trouble - great. If I am by myself, then I can make as much of a mess cutting my food as I want to. I understand your desire to do it yourself and my experiences might not be right for you. Thought I'd share, though. Jean - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 8:15 AM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hi. I am trying to cut the food for myself but I do not like cutting one bight at a time. That is why I want to learn how to do it all at once. Wen I try to cut from the edge in, Every time I make a cut a new edge is formed and I can not tell what edge to cut from. I do not want to touch my food because that makes my hands messy and other people do not like me touching my food. I do not like touching my food either. When I try to hold the food from moving with the fork I end up cutting the food out from under the fork and then it moves around. I do not mean to offend you. That is just my feelings around the situation. Sorry for the long email. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: ajackson...@att.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:05:24 -0500 Subject: [CnD] cutting food. Hi, Jessica, Learning to cut food takes some practice. It's always best to start from the edge and work in; if you are cutting it for yourself, perhaps cutting one bite at a time would be easier. If you are cutting it for some one else, such as a young child, you may need the help of a very clean finger to touch the edge of the food and guide you to where to make the next cut. Using a fork to hold the food in place also keeps it from sliding all over the plate. Hope this helps, Alice ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.1901 / Virus Database: 2109/4760 - Release Date: 01/22/12 57 Year Old Looks 27 Local Woman Reveals Wrinkle Secret That Has Doctors Angry. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4f1d7c7e45bca2d05efst04vuc ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Again, as far as the fingers are concerned, I can't remember anyone frowning on me using them except for teachers of the blind who made a big deal out of doing that. I believe that good eddiquette is important. I don't believe in picking up food from the plate and putting it in my mouth unless it is fried chicken, a hamburger, french fries and the like. As long as you use the fork or spoon and use the fingers as a guide, I see nothing wrong with that. We're blind, others in the restaurant or meeting are eating and watching what they are eating or talking to others. The only gawking would be if one's head is in the plate, picking up food that should be eaten with a fork or just bad manners. Other than that whatever else you do is fine. Jessica, I didn't know you are only 16. In time you will mature, and you will learn to do what works best for you. -Original Message- From: Sisi Ben-Simon fireb...@netvision.net.il Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:25 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I use bread sometimes but I try not to use fingers when I'm not alone, especially in a restaurant. I prefer to cut a piece and eat it and then cut another one, not the whole stake or pancake at once. This way it really doesn't matter where I started and where I should be cutting. When I'm in a restaurant or a hotel eating an omlet or some other fluffy egg I just put it on a piece of toast so I don't have to struggle with food sliding down the plate or on the table. Jesica you're only 16 so you have a lot of time to learn and find out whatever works for you. Take care Sisi - Original Message - From: Tom Dickhoner tdickho...@fuse.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 9:07 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food AA pusher is a piece of bread or a eating utensel such as a knofe that allows you to be able to get the food from the late to the fork. You hold the bread to the food, you find it, and you guide the bread to the fork. It is supposed to look dignified, and it is suppose to avoid using fingers. I have no problem with fingers. They work better than a knife or a piece of bread ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark __ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 6821 (20120123) __ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
They were friends. I do not have any one who can help me who is trained. I have not had much time to try to cut food but this is because other people give up teaching me not because I give up learning. Trust me I do want to learn if it is the last thing I ever do. On 1/23/12, Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com wrote: Have you tried using your fingers to see what you're doing, gradually using them less and less as you get used to what you're doing? Not with meat, but other cuttable material? You say that people have tried to teach you. Were these people trained to do so?, or were they friends and family members. Also, and I don't mean this as it may sound, but at age 16, how much practice have you had at trying to accomplish this? Some people give up if it doesn't work almost immediately, and this goes for people trying to teach as well as people trying to learn. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: Jessica Brown jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 11:06 AM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Once again. I have tried this before as well and it did not work for me. I am 16 years old and have been blind all my life. People have tryed to help teach me but no one seems to know how to teach me and it never goes well. On 1/23/12, Nicole Massey ny...@gypsyheir.com wrote: This was what I was going to suggest as well, with a modification or two. For even chunks, take the fork, after using your knife to find the edges of the meat or other food, and place the fork in the meat near one edge. Cut with the knife perpendicular to the fork's tines until that entire strip is free. Then move the fork to the next strip and cut the meat into strips. If you want it in chunks instead of strips, turn the plate 90° and then use your knife and fork to find the first strip. Place the fork near the middle and cut starting at the ends and working toward the center, cutting center chunks using your fork as your guide. Move to the other strips and cut as well. This should help. This brings me to a question. Jessica, how long have you been blind? Have you had any training to help you deal with this blindness? This is a standard Vocational Rehabilitation Trainer exercise, so this is why I ask. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Kimberly Qualls Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 10:05 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: [CnD] cutting food Jessica, I use a fork, not only to keep the food still, but also as a guide...Stick the fork as far from the edge as the slice you want...After you go one way, then take the fork and stick it in the slices to cut them into chunks, if you need...Everyone is right, though, it takes a LOT of practice, and it can get messy, so you may want to practice on your own, first...I hope I explained that well enough... Hope it helps Kimberly ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- sent from my BrailleNote ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- sent from my BrailleNote ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
It is not just what works for me. It is also about not looking like a 4 year old in public. I understand that exceptions need to be made for blind people but touching your food is taking it too far! On 1/23/12, Tom Dickhoner tdickho...@fuse.net wrote: Again, as far as the fingers are concerned, I can't remember anyone frowning on me using them except for teachers of the blind who made a big deal out of doing that. I believe that good eddiquette is important. I don't believe in picking up food from the plate and putting it in my mouth unless it is fried chicken, a hamburger, french fries and the like. As long as you use the fork or spoon and use the fingers as a guide, I see nothing wrong with that. We're blind, others in the restaurant or meeting are eating and watching what they are eating or talking to others. The only gawking would be if one's head is in the plate, picking up food that should be eaten with a fork or just bad manners. Other than that whatever else you do is fine. Jessica, I didn't know you are only 16. In time you will mature, and you will learn to do what works best for you. -Original Message- From: Sisi Ben-Simon fireb...@netvision.net.il Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:25 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I use bread sometimes but I try not to use fingers when I'm not alone, especially in a restaurant. I prefer to cut a piece and eat it and then cut another one, not the whole stake or pancake at once. This way it really doesn't matter where I started and where I should be cutting. When I'm in a restaurant or a hotel eating an omlet or some other fluffy egg I just put it on a piece of toast so I don't have to struggle with food sliding down the plate or on the table. Jesica you're only 16 so you have a lot of time to learn and find out whatever works for you. Take care Sisi - Original Message - From: Tom Dickhoner tdickho...@fuse.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 9:07 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food AA pusher is a piece of bread or a eating utensel such as a knofe that allows you to be able to get the food from the late to the fork. You hold the bread to the food, you find it, and you guide the bread to the fork. It is supposed to look dignified, and it is suppose to avoid using fingers. I have no problem with fingers. They work better than a knife or a piece of bread ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark __ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 6821 (20120123) __ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- sent from my BrailleNote ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
I think you're too image conscious. First, in the privacy of your own home, work on getting the job successfully done. You are blind, so use the senses available to you, the main one being the sense of touch. That is, after all, how you see. Once you see, with your fingers, how it is done, then you can work on not using them, but it! will! take! time and patience. If you do understand that the blindness factor should be taken into consideration, then take it into consideration rather than worrying about, and letting, your image get in the way of success. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: Jessica Brown jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:41 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food It is not just what works for me. It is also about not looking like a 4 year old in public. I understand that exceptions need to be made for blind people but touching your food is taking it too far! On 1/23/12, Tom Dickhoner tdickho...@fuse.net wrote: Again, as far as the fingers are concerned, I can't remember anyone frowning on me using them except for teachers of the blind who made a big deal out of doing that. I believe that good eddiquette is important. I don't believe in picking up food from the plate and putting it in my mouth unless it is fried chicken, a hamburger, french fries and the like. As long as you use the fork or spoon and use the fingers as a guide, I see nothing wrong with that. We're blind, others in the restaurant or meeting are eating and watching what they are eating or talking to others. The only gawking would be if one's head is in the plate, picking up food that should be eaten with a fork or just bad manners. Other than that whatever else you do is fine. Jessica, I didn't know you are only 16. In time you will mature, and you will learn to do what works best for you. -Original Message- From: Sisi Ben-Simon fireb...@netvision.net.il Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:25 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I use bread sometimes but I try not to use fingers when I'm not alone, especially in a restaurant. I prefer to cut a piece and eat it and then cut another one, not the whole stake or pancake at once. This way it really doesn't matter where I started and where I should be cutting. When I'm in a restaurant or a hotel eating an omlet or some other fluffy egg I just put it on a piece of toast so I don't have to struggle with food sliding down the plate or on the table. Jesica you're only 16 so you have a lot of time to learn and find out whatever works for you. Take care Sisi - Original Message - From: Tom Dickhoner tdickho...@fuse.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 9:07 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food AA pusher is a piece of bread or a eating utensel such as a knofe that allows you to be able to get the food from the late to the fork. You hold the bread to the food, you find it, and you guide the bread to the fork. It is supposed to look dignified, and it is suppose to avoid using fingers. I have no problem with fingers. They work better than a knife or a piece of bread ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark __ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 6821 (20120123) __ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- sent from my BrailleNote ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Jessica You are a very young lady and as everyone has been indicating that patience and practice goes a long way. As for the practice you might want to try cutting a slice of bread with or without butter or you might want to try toast for a different type of texture. Who has been cutting your food up to this point in your life. I am curious If you don't care to say that is ok too. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Jessica Brown Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:35 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food They were friends. I do not have any one who can help me who is trained. I have not had much time to try to cut food but this is because other people give up teaching me not because I give up learning. Trust me I do want to learn if it is the last thing I ever do. On 1/23/12, Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com wrote: Have you tried using your fingers to see what you're doing, gradually using them less and less as you get used to what you're doing? Not with meat, but other cuttable material? You say that people have tried to teach you. Were these people trained to do so?, or were they friends and family members. Also, and I don't mean this as it may sound, but at age 16, how much practice have you had at trying to accomplish this? Some people give up if it doesn't work almost immediately, and this goes for people trying to teach as well as people trying to learn. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: Jessica Brown jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 11:06 AM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Once again. I have tried this before as well and it did not work for me. I am 16 years old and have been blind all my life. People have tryed to help teach me but no one seems to know how to teach me and it never goes well. On 1/23/12, Nicole Massey ny...@gypsyheir.com wrote: This was what I was going to suggest as well, with a modification or two. For even chunks, take the fork, after using your knife to find the edges of the meat or other food, and place the fork in the meat near one edge. Cut with the knife perpendicular to the fork's tines until that entire strip is free. Then move the fork to the next strip and cut the meat into strips. If you want it in chunks instead of strips, turn the plate 90° and then use your knife and fork to find the first strip. Place the fork near the middle and cut starting at the ends and working toward the center, cutting center chunks using your fork as your guide. Move to the other strips and cut as well. This should help. This brings me to a question. Jessica, how long have you been blind? Have you had any training to help you deal with this blindness? This is a standard Vocational Rehabilitation Trainer exercise, so this is why I ask. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Kimberly Qualls Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 10:05 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: [CnD] cutting food Jessica, I use a fork, not only to keep the food still, but also as a guide...Stick the fork as far from the edge as the slice you want...After you go one way, then take the fork and stick it in the slices to cut them into chunks, if you need...Everyone is right, though, it takes a LOT of practice, and it can get messy, so you may want to practice on your own, first...I hope I explained that well enough... Hope it helps Kimberly ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- sent from my BrailleNote ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- sent from my BrailleNote ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
I think you just hit the nail on the head. Sometimes friends and family get frustrated with themselves for not being able to get something across to us, and that frustration gets passed on to us, too, in addition to our frustration at wanting to do things well. When I was sixteen, I was terribly self-conscious about doing things exactly as sighted people seemed to do. Then I discovered that sighted people often cut one piece at a time. Later I learned that even chefs touch food with their hands. Although I use utensils as much as possible, I no longer worry about very lightly checking things with a finger if I need to. You will learn. You've come to the list to ask questions, and you've got lots of good answers. So take a deep breath, try to relax,tell people not to watch you (you're morelikely to make a mistake if they watch), and JUST KEEP TRYING. Deb -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Jessica Brown Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:35 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food They were friends. I do not have any one who can help me who is trained. I have not had much time to try to cut food but this is because other people give up teaching me not because I give up learning. Trust me I do want to learn if it is the last thing I ever do. On 1/23/12, Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com wrote: Have you tried using your fingers to see what you're doing, gradually using them less and less as you get used to what you're doing? Not with meat, but other cuttable material? You say that people have tried to teach you. Were these people trained to do so?, or were they friends and family members. Also, and I don't mean this as it may sound, but at age 16, how much practice have you had at trying to accomplish this? Some people give up if it doesn't work almost immediately, and this goes for people trying to teach as well as people trying to learn. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: Jessica Brown jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 11:06 AM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Once again. I have tried this before as well and it did not work for me. I am 16 years old and have been blind all my life. People have tryed to help teach me but no one seems to know how to teach me and it never goes well. On 1/23/12, Nicole Massey ny...@gypsyheir.com wrote: This was what I was going to suggest as well, with a modification or two. For even chunks, take the fork, after using your knife to find the edges of the meat or other food, and place the fork in the meat near one edge. Cut with the knife perpendicular to the fork's tines until that entire strip is free. Then move the fork to the next strip and cut the meat into strips. If you want it in chunks instead of strips, turn the plate 90° and then use your knife and fork to find the first strip. Place the fork near the middle and cut starting at the ends and working toward the center, cutting center chunks using your fork as your guide. Move to the other strips and cut as well. This should help. This brings me to a question. Jessica, how long have you been blind? Have you had any training to help you deal with this blindness? This is a standard Vocational Rehabilitation Trainer exercise, so this is why I ask. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Kimberly Qualls Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 10:05 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: [CnD] cutting food Jessica, I use a fork, not only to keep the food still, but also as a guide...Stick the fork as far from the edge as the slice you want...After you go one way, then take the fork and stick it in the slices to cut them into chunks, if you need...Everyone is right, though, it takes a LOT of practice, and it can get messy, so you may want to practice on your own, first...I hope I explained that well enough... Hope it helps Kimberly ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- sent from my BrailleNote ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- sent from my BrailleNote ___ Cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
I can try to put this on Dropbox, but my server speed is really slow. For some reason, it is only uploading at 5 kbs and will take HOURS. Carol On 1/23/2012 3:35 PM, Jessica Brown wrote: They were friends. I do not have any one who can help me who is trained. I have not had much time to try to cut food but this is because other people give up teaching me not because I give up learning. Trust me I do want to learn if it is the last thing I ever do. On 1/23/12, Charles Rivardwee1s...@fidnet.com wrote: Have you tried using your fingers to see what you're doing, gradually using them less and less as you get used to what you're doing? Not with meat, but other cuttable material? You say that people have tried to teach you. Were these people trained to do so?, or were they friends and family members. Also, and I don't mean this as it may sound, but at age 16, how much practice have you had at trying to accomplish this? Some people give up if it doesn't work almost immediately, and this goes for people trying to teach as well as people trying to learn. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: Jessica Brownjessicabrown...@gmail.com To:cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 11:06 AM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Once again. I have tried this before as well and it did not work for me. I am 16 years old and have been blind all my life. People have tryed to help teach me but no one seems to know how to teach me and it never goes well. On 1/23/12, Nicole Masseyny...@gypsyheir.com wrote: This was what I was going to suggest as well, with a modification or two. For even chunks, take the fork, after using your knife to find the edges of the meat or other food, and place the fork in the meat near one edge. Cut with the knife perpendicular to the fork's tines until that entire strip is free. Then move the fork to the next strip and cut the meat into strips. If you want it in chunks instead of strips, turn the plate 90° and then use your knife and fork to find the first strip. Place the fork near the middle and cut starting at the ends and working toward the center, cutting center chunks using your fork as your guide. Move to the other strips and cut as well. This should help. This brings me to a question. Jessica, how long have you been blind? Have you had any training to help you deal with this blindness? This is a standard Vocational Rehabilitation Trainer exercise, so this is why I ask. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Kimberly Qualls Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 10:05 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: [CnD] cutting food Jessica, I use a fork, not only to keep the food still, but also as a guide...Stick the fork as far from the edge as the slice you want...After you go one way, then take the fork and stick it in the slices to cut them into chunks, if you need...Everyone is right, though, it takes a LOT of practice, and it can get messy, so you may want to practice on your own, first...I hope I explained that well enough... Hope it helps Kimberly ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- sent from my BrailleNote ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Oops. Sorry, my computer replied to the wrong message. On 1/23/2012 4:39 PM, carollablady wrote: I can try to put this on Dropbox, but my server speed is really slow. For some reason, it is only uploading at 5 kbs and will take HOURS. Carol On 1/23/2012 3:35 PM, Jessica Brown wrote: They were friends. I do not have any one who can help me who is trained. I have not had much time to try to cut food but this is because other people give up teaching me not because I give up learning. Trust me I do want to learn if it is the last thing I ever do. On 1/23/12, Charles Rivardwee1s...@fidnet.com wrote: Have you tried using your fingers to see what you're doing, gradually using them less and less as you get used to what you're doing? Not with meat, but other cuttable material? You say that people have tried to teach you. Were these people trained to do so?, or were they friends and family members. Also, and I don't mean this as it may sound, but at age 16, how much practice have you had at trying to accomplish this? Some people give up if it doesn't work almost immediately, and this goes for people trying to teach as well as people trying to learn. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: Jessica Brownjessicabrown...@gmail.com To:cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 11:06 AM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Once again. I have tried this before as well and it did not work for me. I am 16 years old and have been blind all my life. People have tryed to help teach me but no one seems to know how to teach me and it never goes well. On 1/23/12, Nicole Masseyny...@gypsyheir.com wrote: This was what I was going to suggest as well, with a modification or two. For even chunks, take the fork, after using your knife to find the edges of the meat or other food, and place the fork in the meat near one edge. Cut with the knife perpendicular to the fork's tines until that entire strip is free. Then move the fork to the next strip and cut the meat into strips. If you want it in chunks instead of strips, turn the plate 90° and then use your knife and fork to find the first strip. Place the fork near the middle and cut starting at the ends and working toward the center, cutting center chunks using your fork as your guide. Move to the other strips and cut as well. This should help. This brings me to a question. Jessica, how long have you been blind? Have you had any training to help you deal with this blindness? This is a standard Vocational Rehabilitation Trainer exercise, so this is why I ask. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Kimberly Qualls Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 10:05 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: [CnD] cutting food Jessica, I use a fork, not only to keep the food still, but also as a guide...Stick the fork as far from the edge as the slice you want...After you go one way, then take the fork and stick it in the slices to cut them into chunks, if you need...Everyone is right, though, it takes a LOT of practice, and it can get messy, so you may want to practice on your own, first...I hope I explained that well enough... Hope it helps Kimberly ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- sent from my BrailleNote ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Wrong list? (grin) --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: carollablady carollabl...@aol.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 3:39 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I can try to put this on Dropbox, but my server speed is really slow. For some reason, it is only uploading at 5 kbs and will take HOURS. Carol On 1/23/2012 3:35 PM, Jessica Brown wrote: They were friends. I do not have any one who can help me who is trained. I have not had much time to try to cut food but this is because other people give up teaching me not because I give up learning. Trust me I do want to learn if it is the last thing I ever do. On 1/23/12, Charles Rivardwee1s...@fidnet.com wrote: Have you tried using your fingers to see what you're doing, gradually using them less and less as you get used to what you're doing? Not with meat, but other cuttable material? You say that people have tried to teach you. Were these people trained to do so?, or were they friends and family members. Also, and I don't mean this as it may sound, but at age 16, how much practice have you had at trying to accomplish this? Some people give up if it doesn't work almost immediately, and this goes for people trying to teach as well as people trying to learn. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: Jessica Brownjessicabrown...@gmail.com To:cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 11:06 AM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Once again. I have tried this before as well and it did not work for me. I am 16 years old and have been blind all my life. People have tryed to help teach me but no one seems to know how to teach me and it never goes well. On 1/23/12, Nicole Masseyny...@gypsyheir.com wrote: This was what I was going to suggest as well, with a modification or two. For even chunks, take the fork, after using your knife to find the edges of the meat or other food, and place the fork in the meat near one edge. Cut with the knife perpendicular to the fork's tines until that entire strip is free. Then move the fork to the next strip and cut the meat into strips. If you want it in chunks instead of strips, turn the plate 90° and then use your knife and fork to find the first strip. Place the fork near the middle and cut starting at the ends and working toward the center, cutting center chunks using your fork as your guide. Move to the other strips and cut as well. This should help. This brings me to a question. Jessica, how long have you been blind? Have you had any training to help you deal with this blindness? This is a standard Vocational Rehabilitation Trainer exercise, so this is why I ask. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Kimberly Qualls Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 10:05 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: [CnD] cutting food Jessica, I use a fork, not only to keep the food still, but also as a guide...Stick the fork as far from the edge as the slice you want...After you go one way, then take the fork and stick it in the slices to cut them into chunks, if you need...Everyone is right, though, it takes a LOT of practice, and it can get messy, so you may want to practice on your own, first...I hope I explained that well enough... Hope it helps Kimberly ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- sent from my BrailleNote ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food.
First, nothing meant in any way to be judgmental. Like others say, it does take practice, and in some situations I have to get psyched up to begin, when faced with a full plate, or if in the middle seat in the row of an airplane when I could think that people are looking and worrying about not jostling the people on either side. When we had skills of daily living way back when, we practiced on play dough made to the thickness of hamburger patties. Otherwise, I never aspired to cutting up all my food at once due to being under the impression that ettiquette-wise you're to cut one bite at a time. Whatever works though, if you choose to cut it all at once or what; it's just that with a whole plate of food, cutting one bite at a time doesn't lead to the potential of making as big a mess if there's going to be one. I know one person who eats the other stuff first and the meat last so as not to have anything go over. That works for her, and that's cool. I like eating my food together though. I've heard that sighted people can make as big of messes as we can; otherwise, to be completely honest, if you're totally blind, I don't know if there's any way not to at some point, discretely, touch your food, as in checking out what might be approaching the edge. Some people who are going to take it on themselves to comment about you just need to get lives. A friend of mine was at a dinner where, of course, when getting a piece of butter off of the stick provided, she had to touch it to know where to start in getting a piece, and a table mate made her feel bad because this woman made a real fuss that she'd touched the butter! Good luck in finding a solution that works for you, and try not to let what you think other people think of your efforts bother you, which I know might be a challenge, but hang in there. Kathy. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 10:38 AM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. You are correct about your method not working for me. I want full independence. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Jean Marcley jmarc...@juno.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:27:52 -0700 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. If there are sighted people around, ask them to cut it for you. If you are at a restaurant, ask the waitress if it can be cut in the kitchen before she brings it to your table. My motto is if someone else can do it without too much trouble - great. If I am by myself, then I can make as much of a mess cutting my food as I want to. I understand your desire to do it yourself and my experiences might not be right for you. Thought I'd share, though. Jean - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 8:15 AM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hi. I am trying to cut the food for myself but I do not like cutting one bight at a time. That is why I want to learn how to do it all at once. Wen I try to cut from the edge in, Every time I make a cut a new edge is formed and I can not tell what edge to cut from. I do not want to touch my food because that makes my hands messy and other people do not like me touching my food. I do not like touching my food either. When I try to hold the food from moving with the fork I end up cutting the food out from under the fork and then it moves around. I do not mean to offend you. That is just my feelings around the situation. Sorry for the long email. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: ajackson...@att.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:05:24 -0500 Subject: [CnD] cutting food. Hi, Jessica, Learning to cut food takes some practice. It's always best to start from the edge and work in; if you are cutting it for yourself, perhaps cutting one bite at a time would be easier. If you are cutting it for some one else, such as a young child, you may need the help of a very clean finger to touch the edge of the food and guide you to where to make the next cut. Using a fork to hold the food in place also keeps it from sliding all over the plate. Hope this helps, Alice ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.1901 / Virus Database: 2109/4760 - Release Date: 01/22/12 57 Year Old Looks 27 Local Woman Reveals Wrinkle Secret That Has Doctors Angry. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4f1d7c7e45bca2d05efst04v uc
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Jessica, I am proud of you for being brave enough to ask the question. Please don't think we are making fun of you or will give up on you. Everyone has told you how they do it and don't know where to go from here. If you will ask more questions that will help us to know where to go from here we will try to help. Lois - Original Message - From: Debbra Piening To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 3:28 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I think you just hit the nail on the head. Sometimes friends and family get frustrated with themselves for not being able to get something across to us, and that frustration gets passed on to us, too, in addition to our frustration at wanting to do things well. When I was sixteen, I was terribly self-conscious about doing things exactly as sighted people seemed to do. Then I discovered that sighted people often cut one piece at a time. Later I learned that even chefs touch food with their hands. Although I use utensils as much as possible, I no longer worry about very lightly checking things with a finger if I need to. You will learn. You've come to the list to ask questions, and you've got lots of good answers. So take a deep breath, try to relax,tell people not to watch you (you're morelikely to make a mistake if they watch), and JUST KEEP TRYING. Deb -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Jessica Brown Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:35 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food They were friends. I do not have any one who can help me who is trained. I have not had much time to try to cut food but this is because other people give up teaching me not because I give up learning. Trust me I do want to learn if it is the last thing I ever do. On 1/23/12, Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com wrote: Have you tried using your fingers to see what you're doing, gradually using them less and less as you get used to what you're doing? Not with meat, but other cuttable material? You say that people have tried to teach you. Were these people trained to do so?, or were they friends and family members. Also, and I don't mean this as it may sound, but at age 16, how much practice have you had at trying to accomplish this? Some people give up if it doesn't work almost immediately, and this goes for people trying to teach as well as people trying to learn. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: Jessica Brown jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 11:06 AM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Once again. I have tried this before as well and it did not work for me. I am 16 years old and have been blind all my life. People have tryed to help teach me but no one seems to know how to teach me and it never goes well. On 1/23/12, Nicole Massey ny...@gypsyheir.com wrote: This was what I was going to suggest as well, with a modification or two. For even chunks, take the fork, after using your knife to find the edges of the meat or other food, and place the fork in the meat near one edge. Cut with the knife perpendicular to the fork's tines until that entire strip is free. Then move the fork to the next strip and cut the meat into strips. If you want it in chunks instead of strips, turn the plate 90° and then use your knife and fork to find the first strip. Place the fork near the middle and cut starting at the ends and working toward the center, cutting center chunks using your fork as your guide. Move to the other strips and cut as well. This should help. This brings me to a question. Jessica, how long have you been blind? Have you had any training to help you deal with this blindness? This is a standard Vocational Rehabilitation Trainer exercise, so this is why I ask. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Kimberly Qualls Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 10:05 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: [CnD] cutting food Jessica, I use a fork, not only to keep the food still, but also as a guide...Stick the fork as far from the edge as the slice you want...After you go one way, then take the fork and stick it in the slices to cut them into chunks, if you need...Everyone is right, though, it takes a LOT of practice, and it can get messy, so you may want to practice on your own, first...I hope I explained that well enough... Hope it helps Kimberly ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Jessica, I don't cut bread evenly either, but I keep trying. My children and husband don't care if I cut evenly or not. Just practice and tell your mom you want to do it for yourself. Sometimes, that might mean waiting until Mom isn't around, get out a slice of bread and a knife and go for it. I didn't start making sandwiches for myself until my folks left me at home by myself. Shannon Nicole Wells, author http://www.wildheartbook.com http://oldtimechristian.blogspot.com http://www.twitter.com/authorshannon http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1826550903 On Jan 23, 2012, at 4:46 PM, Jessica Brown wrote: I have tried cutting bread and toast and I can not even cut it in a strate line. My mom cuts my food for me and I want to be able to do it for me. On 1/23/12, Jean Hunt krazyg...@sbcglobal.net wrote: Jessica You are a very young lady and as everyone has been indicating that patience and practice goes a long way. As for the practice you might want to try cutting a slice of bread with or without butter or you might want to try toast for a different type of texture. Who has been cutting your food up to this point in your life. I am curious If you don't care to say that is ok too. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Jessica Brown Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:35 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food They were friends. I do not have any one who can help me who is trained. I have not had much time to try to cut food but this is because other people give up teaching me not because I give up learning. Trust me I do want to learn if it is the last thing I ever do. On 1/23/12, Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com wrote: Have you tried using your fingers to see what you're doing, gradually using them less and less as you get used to what you're doing? Not with meat, but other cuttable material? You say that people have tried to teach you. Were these people trained to do so?, or were they friends and family members. Also, and I don't mean this as it may sound, but at age 16, how much practice have you had at trying to accomplish this? Some people give up if it doesn't work almost immediately, and this goes for people trying to teach as well as people trying to learn. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: Jessica Brown jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 11:06 AM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Once again. I have tried this before as well and it did not work for me. I am 16 years old and have been blind all my life. People have tryed to help teach me but no one seems to know how to teach me and it never goes well. On 1/23/12, Nicole Massey ny...@gypsyheir.com wrote: This was what I was going to suggest as well, with a modification or two. For even chunks, take the fork, after using your knife to find the edges of the meat or other food, and place the fork in the meat near one edge. Cut with the knife perpendicular to the fork's tines until that entire strip is free. Then move the fork to the next strip and cut the meat into strips. If you want it in chunks instead of strips, turn the plate 90° and then use your knife and fork to find the first strip. Place the fork near the middle and cut starting at the ends and working toward the center, cutting center chunks using your fork as your guide. Move to the other strips and cut as well. This should help. This brings me to a question. Jessica, how long have you been blind? Have you had any training to help you deal with this blindness? This is a standard Vocational Rehabilitation Trainer exercise, so this is why I ask. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Kimberly Qualls Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 10:05 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: [CnD] cutting food Jessica, I use a fork, not only to keep the food still, but also as a guide...Stick the fork as far from the edge as the slice you want...After you go one way, then take the fork and stick it in the slices to cut them into chunks, if you need...Everyone is right, though, it takes a LOT of practice, and it can get messy, so you may want to practice on your own, first...I hope I explained that well enough... Hope it helps Kimberly ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- sent from my BrailleNote
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Jessica, you're going to get tired of hearing from me, but I had to put my 2 cents in anyway. As for looking like a 4 year old, I make a bigger mess eating out than my own 4 year old does, but I don't let it keep me from ordering what I want. Like others have said on this list, ask that the chef cut up your meat or whatever. There used to be a diner I liked to go eat at for breakfast. They had the absolute best pancakes and sausage gravy. Now, gravy is a mess! So, I was going somewhere after breakfast, and I asked if the cook could cut the pancake up for me. They were plate sized pancakes all smothered in messy gravy that will stain your clothes. The waitress actually cut it up for me when the plate was at the pass, and I know this because it was a small diner and I sat close to the kitchen. The lady did a wonderful job, I got to eat without getting it all over me, and I didn't feel one bit like a 4 year old. Hope this helps. Shannon Nicole Wells, author http://www.wildheartbook.com http://oldtimechristian.blogspot.com http://www.twitter.com/authorshannon http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1826550903 On Jan 23, 2012, at 3:41 PM, Jessica Brown wrote: It is not just what works for me. It is also about not looking like a 4 year old in public. I understand that exceptions need to be made for blind people but touching your food is taking it too far! On 1/23/12, Tom Dickhoner tdickho...@fuse.net wrote: Again, as far as the fingers are concerned, I can't remember anyone frowning on me using them except for teachers of the blind who made a big deal out of doing that. I believe that good eddiquette is important. I don't believe in picking up food from the plate and putting it in my mouth unless it is fried chicken, a hamburger, french fries and the like. As long as you use the fork or spoon and use the fingers as a guide, I see nothing wrong with that. We're blind, others in the restaurant or meeting are eating and watching what they are eating or talking to others. The only gawking would be if one's head is in the plate, picking up food that should be eaten with a fork or just bad manners. Other than that whatever else you do is fine. Jessica, I didn't know you are only 16. In time you will mature, and you will learn to do what works best for you. -Original Message- From: Sisi Ben-Simon fireb...@netvision.net.il Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:25 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I use bread sometimes but I try not to use fingers when I'm not alone, especially in a restaurant. I prefer to cut a piece and eat it and then cut another one, not the whole stake or pancake at once. This way it really doesn't matter where I started and where I should be cutting. When I'm in a restaurant or a hotel eating an omlet or some other fluffy egg I just put it on a piece of toast so I don't have to struggle with food sliding down the plate or on the table. Jesica you're only 16 so you have a lot of time to learn and find out whatever works for you. Take care Sisi - Original Message - From: Tom Dickhoner tdickho...@fuse.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 9:07 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food AA pusher is a piece of bread or a eating utensel such as a knofe that allows you to be able to get the food from the late to the fork. You hold the bread to the food, you find it, and you guide the bread to the fork. It is supposed to look dignified, and it is suppose to avoid using fingers. I have no problem with fingers. They work better than a knife or a piece of bread ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark __ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 6821 (20120123) __ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- sent from my BrailleNote ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Ok. What kinds of questions would you like me to ask? On 1/23/12, Lois w5...@sbcglobal.net wrote: Jessica, I am proud of you for being brave enough to ask the question. Please don't think we are making fun of you or will give up on you. Everyone has told you how they do it and don't know where to go from here. If you will ask more questions that will help us to know where to go from here we will try to help. Lois - Original Message - From: Debbra Piening To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 3:28 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I think you just hit the nail on the head. Sometimes friends and family get frustrated with themselves for not being able to get something across to us, and that frustration gets passed on to us, too, in addition to our frustration at wanting to do things well. When I was sixteen, I was terribly self-conscious about doing things exactly as sighted people seemed to do. Then I discovered that sighted people often cut one piece at a time. Later I learned that even chefs touch food with their hands. Although I use utensils as much as possible, I no longer worry about very lightly checking things with a finger if I need to. You will learn. You've come to the list to ask questions, and you've got lots of good answers. So take a deep breath, try to relax,tell people not to watch you (you're morelikely to make a mistake if they watch), and JUST KEEP TRYING. Deb -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Jessica Brown Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:35 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food They were friends. I do not have any one who can help me who is trained. I have not had much time to try to cut food but this is because other people give up teaching me not because I give up learning. Trust me I do want to learn if it is the last thing I ever do. On 1/23/12, Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com wrote: Have you tried using your fingers to see what you're doing, gradually using them less and less as you get used to what you're doing? Not with meat, but other cuttable material? You say that people have tried to teach you. Were these people trained to do so?, or were they friends and family members. Also, and I don't mean this as it may sound, but at age 16, how much practice have you had at trying to accomplish this? Some people give up if it doesn't work almost immediately, and this goes for people trying to teach as well as people trying to learn. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: Jessica Brown jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 11:06 AM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Once again. I have tried this before as well and it did not work for me. I am 16 years old and have been blind all my life. People have tryed to help teach me but no one seems to know how to teach me and it never goes well. On 1/23/12, Nicole Massey ny...@gypsyheir.com wrote: This was what I was going to suggest as well, with a modification or two. For even chunks, take the fork, after using your knife to find the edges of the meat or other food, and place the fork in the meat near one edge. Cut with the knife perpendicular to the fork's tines until that entire strip is free. Then move the fork to the next strip and cut the meat into strips. If you want it in chunks instead of strips, turn the plate 90° and then use your knife and fork to find the first strip. Place the fork near the middle and cut starting at the ends and working toward the center, cutting center chunks using your fork as your guide. Move to the other strips and cut as well. This should help. This brings me to a question. Jessica, how long have you been blind? Have you had any training to help you deal with this blindness? This is a standard Vocational Rehabilitation Trainer exercise, so this is why I ask. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Kimberly Qualls Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 10:05 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: [CnD] cutting food Jessica, I use a fork, not only to keep the food still, but also as a guide...Stick the fork as far from the edge as the slice you want...After you go one way, then take the fork and stick it in the slices to cut them into chunks, if you need...Everyone is right, though, it takes a LOT of practice, and it can get messy, so you may want to practice on your
Re: [CnD] cutting food
When you say that it didn't work for me, can you give more detail? Things like why it didn't work or what the difficulty was? Was the plate loaded with other food? How much room did you have to work with, and how long did you work at using that approach? You might not remember, but anything that will give people a clue about what the problems were, or are, will help. Thanks. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: Jessica Brown jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org; Lois w5...@sbcglobal.net Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 4:04 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Ok. What kinds of questions would you like me to ask? On 1/23/12, Lois w5...@sbcglobal.net wrote: Jessica, I am proud of you for being brave enough to ask the question. Please don't think we are making fun of you or will give up on you. Everyone has told you how they do it and don't know where to go from here. If you will ask more questions that will help us to know where to go from here we will try to help. Lois - Original Message - From: Debbra Piening To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 3:28 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I think you just hit the nail on the head. Sometimes friends and family get frustrated with themselves for not being able to get something across to us, and that frustration gets passed on to us, too, in addition to our frustration at wanting to do things well. When I was sixteen, I was terribly self-conscious about doing things exactly as sighted people seemed to do. Then I discovered that sighted people often cut one piece at a time. Later I learned that even chefs touch food with their hands. Although I use utensils as much as possible, I no longer worry about very lightly checking things with a finger if I need to. You will learn. You've come to the list to ask questions, and you've got lots of good answers. So take a deep breath, try to relax,tell people not to watch you (you're morelikely to make a mistake if they watch), and JUST KEEP TRYING. Deb -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Jessica Brown Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:35 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food They were friends. I do not have any one who can help me who is trained. I have not had much time to try to cut food but this is because other people give up teaching me not because I give up learning. Trust me I do want to learn if it is the last thing I ever do. On 1/23/12, Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com wrote: Have you tried using your fingers to see what you're doing, gradually using them less and less as you get used to what you're doing? Not with meat, but other cuttable material? You say that people have tried to teach you. Were these people trained to do so?, or were they friends and family members. Also, and I don't mean this as it may sound, but at age 16, how much practice have you had at trying to accomplish this? Some people give up if it doesn't work almost immediately, and this goes for people trying to teach as well as people trying to learn. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: Jessica Brown jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 11:06 AM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Once again. I have tried this before as well and it did not work for me. I am 16 years old and have been blind all my life. People have tryed to help teach me but no one seems to know how to teach me and it never goes well. On 1/23/12, Nicole Massey ny...@gypsyheir.com wrote: This was what I was going to suggest as well, with a modification or two. For even chunks, take the fork, after using your knife to find the edges of the meat or other food, and place the fork in the meat near one edge. Cut with the knife perpendicular to the fork's tines until that entire strip is free. Then move the fork to the next strip and cut the meat into strips. If you want it in chunks instead of strips, turn the plate 90° and then use your knife and fork to find the first strip. Place the fork near the middle and cut starting at the ends and working toward the center, cutting center chunks using your fork as your guide. Move to the other strips and cut as well. This should help. This brings me to a question. Jessica, how long have you been blind? Have you had any training to help you deal with this blindness? This is a standard Vocational Rehabilitation Trainer exercise, so this is why I ask. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Jessica when you practice you may find it useful to have a good knife, a good serrated one or one that is sharp enough to do the job. For example, I find it tremendously frustrating trying to tuch roast beef with a dull knife. Also you may consider using your knife as a cain to get the lay of the plate and the object to be cut. In this way you are in a better position to carve your food to your liking. Some sighted people may have a connittion about a blind person using a sharp knife, but be careful with it and politely inform those who object to your using a sharp knife that you are the final judge about your abilities, limitations, and potential. Danny At 04:46 PM 1/23/2012, you wrote: I have tried cutting bread and toast and I can not even cut it in a strate line. My mom cuts my food for me and I want to be able to do it for me. On 1/23/12, Jean Hunt krazyg...@sbcglobal.net wrote: Jessica You are a very young lady and as everyone has been indicating that patience and practice goes a long way. As for the practice you might want to try cutting a slice of bread with or without butter or you might want to try toast for a different type of texture. Who has been cutting your food up to this point in your life. I am curious If you don't care to say that is ok too. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Jessica Brown Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:35 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food They were friends. I do not have any one who can help me who is trained. I have not had much time to try to cut food but this is because other people give up teaching me not because I give up learning. Trust me I do want to learn if it is the last thing I ever do. On 1/23/12, Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com wrote: Have you tried using your fingers to see what you're doing, gradually using them less and less as you get used to what you're doing? Not with meat, but other cuttable material? You say that people have tried to teach you. Were these people trained to do so?, or were they friends and family members. Also, and I don't mean this as it may sound, but at age 16, how much practice have you had at trying to accomplish this? Some people give up if it doesn't work almost immediately, and this goes for people trying to teach as well as people trying to learn. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: Jessica Brown jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 11:06 AM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Once again. I have tried this before as well and it did not work for me. I am 16 years old and have been blind all my life. People have tryed to help teach me but no one seems to know how to teach me and it never goes well. On 1/23/12, Nicole Massey ny...@gypsyheir.com wrote: This was what I was going to suggest as well, with a modification or two. For even chunks, take the fork, after using your knife to find the edges of the meat or other food, and place the fork in the meat near one edge. Cut with the knife perpendicular to the fork's tines until that entire strip is free. Then move the fork to the next strip and cut the meat into strips. If you want it in chunks instead of strips, turn the plate 90° and then use your knife and fork to find the first strip. Place the fork near the middle and cut starting at the ends and working toward the center, cutting center chunks using your fork as your guide. Move to the other strips and cut as well. This should help. This brings me to a question. Jessica, how long have you been blind? Have you had any training to help you deal with this blindness? This is a standard Vocational Rehabilitation Trainer exercise, so this is why I ask. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Kimberly Qualls Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 10:05 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: [CnD] cutting food Jessica, I use a fork, not only to keep the food still, but also as a guide...Stick the fork as far from the edge as the slice you want...After you go one way, then take the fork and stick it in the slices to cut them into chunks, if you need...Everyone is right, though, it takes a LOT of practice, and it can get messy, so you may want to practice on your own, first...I hope I explained that well enough... Hope it helps Kimberly ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- sent from
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Hello All, Have to get my two cents in here. I was advised to turn the plate so that the meat or the most difficult item is at 6 o'clock so that you don't reach over other items to deal with it. Also, to eat from the outside of the plate towards the center which helps to keep the food from going off onto the table (which I still often do) Another point is that if sighted folks insist on being critical, ask them to give it a try with their eyes tightly shut or with the lights out, and I think they may realise just how difficult it is and apreciate your good efforts. Hang in there. We are all with you. Sheila, Vancouver, Canada. from t At 02:04 PM 1/23/2012, you wrote: Ok. What kinds of questions would you like me to ask? On 1/23/12, Lois w5...@sbcglobal.net wrote: Jessica, I am proud of you for being brave enough to ask the question. Please don't think we are making fun of you or will give up on you. Everyone has told you how they do it and don't know where to go from here. If you will ask more questions that will help us to know where to go from here we will try to help. Lois - Original Message - From: Debbra Piening To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 3:28 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I think you just hit the nail on the head. Sometimes friends and family get frustrated with themselves for not being able to get something across to us, and that frustration gets passed on to us, too, in addition to our frustration at wanting to do things well. When I was sixteen, I was terribly self-conscious about doing things exactly as sighted people seemed to do. Then I discovered that sighted people often cut one piece at a time. Later I learned that even chefs touch food with their hands. Although I use utensils as much as possible, I no longer worry about very lightly checking things with a finger if I need to. You will learn. You've come to the list to ask questions, and you've got lots of good answers. So take a deep breath, try to relax,tell people not to watch you (you're morelikely to make a mistake if they watch), and JUST KEEP TRYING. Deb -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Jessica Brown Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:35 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food They were friends. I do not have any one who can help me who is trained. I have not had much time to try to cut food but this is because other people give up teaching me not because I give up learning. Trust me I do want to learn if it is the last thing I ever do. On 1/23/12, Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com wrote: Have you tried using your fingers to see what you're doing, gradually using them less and less as you get used to what you're doing? Not with meat, but other cuttable material? You say that people have tried to teach you. Were these people trained to do so?, or were they friends and family members. Also, and I don't mean this as it may sound, but at age 16, how much practice have you had at trying to accomplish this? Some people give up if it doesn't work almost immediately, and this goes for people trying to teach as well as people trying to learn. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: Jessica Brown jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 11:06 AM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Once again. I have tried this before as well and it did not work for me. I am 16 years old and have been blind all my life. People have tryed to help teach me but no one seems to know how to teach me and it never goes well. On 1/23/12, Nicole Massey ny...@gypsyheir.com wrote: This was what I was going to suggest as well, with a modification or two. For even chunks, take the fork, after using your knife to find the edges of the meat or other food, and place the fork in the meat near one edge. Cut with the knife perpendicular to the fork's tines until that entire strip is free. Then move the fork to the next strip and cut the meat into strips. If you want it in chunks instead of strips, turn the plate 90° and then use your knife and fork to find the first strip. Place the fork near the middle and cut starting at the ends and working toward the center, cutting center chunks using your fork as your guide. Move to the other strips and cut as well. This should help. This brings me to a question. Jessica, how long have you been blind? Have you had any training to help you deal with this blindness? This is a standard Vocational Rehabilitation Trainer exercise, so
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Charles, That is the kind of things I was thinking about. Lois - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 4:17 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food When you say that it didn't work for me, can you give more detail? Things like why it didn't work or what the difficulty was? Was the plate loaded with other food? How much room did you have to work with, and how long did you work at using that approach? You might not remember, but anything that will give people a clue about what the problems were, or are, will help. Thanks. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: Jessica Brown jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org; Lois w5...@sbcglobal.net Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 4:04 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Ok. What kinds of questions would you like me to ask? On 1/23/12, Lois w5...@sbcglobal.net wrote: Jessica, I am proud of you for being brave enough to ask the question. Please don't think we are making fun of you or will give up on you. Everyone has told you how they do it and don't know where to go from here. If you will ask more questions that will help us to know where to go from here we will try to help. Lois - Original Message - From: Debbra Piening To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 3:28 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I think you just hit the nail on the head. Sometimes friends and family get frustrated with themselves for not being able to get something across to us, and that frustration gets passed on to us, too, in addition to our frustration at wanting to do things well. When I was sixteen, I was terribly self-conscious about doing things exactly as sighted people seemed to do. Then I discovered that sighted people often cut one piece at a time. Later I learned that even chefs touch food with their hands. Although I use utensils as much as possible, I no longer worry about very lightly checking things with a finger if I need to. You will learn. You've come to the list to ask questions, and you've got lots of good answers. So take a deep breath, try to relax,tell people not to watch you (you're morelikely to make a mistake if they watch), and JUST KEEP TRYING. Deb -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Jessica Brown Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:35 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food They were friends. I do not have any one who can help me who is trained. I have not had much time to try to cut food but this is because other people give up teaching me not because I give up learning. Trust me I do want to learn if it is the last thing I ever do. On 1/23/12, Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com wrote: Have you tried using your fingers to see what you're doing, gradually using them less and less as you get used to what you're doing? Not with meat, but other cuttable material? You say that people have tried to teach you. Were these people trained to do so?, or were they friends and family members. Also, and I don't mean this as it may sound, but at age 16, how much practice have you had at trying to accomplish this? Some people give up if it doesn't work almost immediately, and this goes for people trying to teach as well as people trying to learn. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: Jessica Brown jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 11:06 AM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Once again. I have tried this before as well and it did not work for me. I am 16 years old and have been blind all my life. People have tryed to help teach me but no one seems to know how to teach me and it never goes well. On 1/23/12, Nicole Massey ny...@gypsyheir.com wrote: This was what I was going to suggest as well, with a modification or two. For even chunks, take the fork, after using your knife to find the edges of the meat or other food, and place the fork in the meat near one edge. Cut with the knife perpendicular to the fork's tines until that entire strip is free. Then move the fork to the next strip and cut the meat into strips. If you want it in chunks instead of strips, turn the plate 90° and then use your knife and fork to find
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Hi Jessica, I know how hard it is, particularly as a teenager, to not be worried about how things look. Your concern reminds me of a story my husband tells. When he was in his late teens, his older brother urged him to use a cane or dog. He was reluctant, because it would make him look blind. As his brother said: well, you are blind, and people can see that. Once he thought about it, he knew that was true. I came in late on this thread, so you may have answered this. Can you get any help from a rehab teacher? It's hard to have family members teach you, at least it was for me. One further thought. Given the state of the airline industry right now, you won't have to worry about cutting food on a plane. You never have to cut peanuts, assuming you even get those. Lol. Allison Fallin ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food.
I mean that I try to use the fork to keep the food from moving around but when I cut with the knife I cut the part that the fork is under and then all of the food is free to move around. No! I do not want you to shut up. You are being very helpful. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Heidi Thomas heidi.thoma...@comcast.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:26:20 - Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hehehe, no offense taken ... Hope you're not either ... Eating with my hands is probably appalling to you and I'm sorry to offend you. ... So I didn't understand an do now, how do you mean cutting food out from under the fork? If you want me to shut up because I'm not being of any help, I will. Smile just say so, No, is the answer if it is no. I'm really sorry. Heidi -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: 23 January 2012 15:15 To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hi. I am trying to cut the food for myself but I do not like cutting one bight at a time. That is why I want to learn how to do it all at once. Wen I try to cut from the edge in, Every time I make a cut a new edge is formed and I can not tell what edge to cut from. I do not want to touch my food because that makes my hands messy and other people do not like me touching my food. I do not like touching my food either. When I try to hold the food from moving with the fork I end up cutting the food out from under the fork and then it moves around. I do not mean to offend you. That is just my feelings around the situation. Sorry for the long email. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: ajackson...@att.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:05:24 -0500 Subject: [CnD] cutting food. Hi, Jessica, Learning to cut food takes some practice. It's always best to start from the edge and work in; if you are cutting it for yourself, perhaps cutting one bite at a time would be easier. If you are cutting it for some one else, such as a young child, you may need the help of a very clean finger to touch the edge of the food and guide you to where to make the next cut. Using a fork to hold the food in place also keeps it from sliding all over the plate. Hope this helps, Alice ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
I can not get help from a rehab teacher. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Allison Fallin afal...@cox.net To: Cooking in the Dark cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:42:36 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Hi Jessica, I know how hard it is, particularly as a teenager, to not be worried about how things look. Your concern reminds me of a story my husband tells. When he was in his late teens, his older brother urged him to use a cane or dog. He was reluctant, because it would make him look blind. As his brother said: well, you are blind, and people can see that. Once he thought about it, he knew that was true. I came in late on this thread, so you may have answered this. Can you get any help from a rehab teacher? It's hard to have family members teach you, at least it was for me. One further thought. Given the state of the airline industry right now, you won't have to worry about cutting food on a plane. You never have to cut peanuts, assuming you even get those. Lol. Allison Fallin ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
U r not alone, we all have the same disability as u. I have been blind all my life and I know that learning how to do certain things can b tough. So sorry to hear that people have given up on teaching u how to cut your food. Do u know anyone in your area who is also blind? If so, Maybe they can work with u and they will probably b more patient and understanding because they know what it is like to not have any sight. U can write me off the list if u like. rebeca...@gmail.com Rebeca with one c Sent from my iPhone On Jan 23, 2012, at 12:35 PM, Jessica Brown jessicabrown...@gmail.com wrote: They were friends. I do not have any one who can help me who is trained. I have not had much time to try to cut food but this is because other people give up teaching me not because I give up learning. Trust me I do want to learn if it is the last thing I ever do. On 1/23/12, Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com wrote: Have you tried using your fingers to see what you're doing, gradually using them less and less as you get used to what you're doing? Not with meat, but other cuttable material? You say that people have tried to teach you. Were these people trained to do so?, or were they friends and family members. Also, and I don't mean this as it may sound, but at age 16, how much practice have you had at trying to accomplish this? Some people give up if it doesn't work almost immediately, and this goes for people trying to teach as well as people trying to learn. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: Jessica Brown jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 11:06 AM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Once again. I have tried this before as well and it did not work for me. I am 16 years old and have been blind all my life. People have tryed to help teach me but no one seems to know how to teach me and it never goes well. On 1/23/12, Nicole Massey ny...@gypsyheir.com wrote: This was what I was going to suggest as well, with a modification or two. For even chunks, take the fork, after using your knife to find the edges of the meat or other food, and place the fork in the meat near one edge. Cut with the knife perpendicular to the fork's tines until that entire strip is free. Then move the fork to the next strip and cut the meat into strips. If you want it in chunks instead of strips, turn the plate 90° and then use your knife and fork to find the first strip. Place the fork near the middle and cut starting at the ends and working toward the center, cutting center chunks using your fork as your guide. Move to the other strips and cut as well. This should help. This brings me to a question. Jessica, how long have you been blind? Have you had any training to help you deal with this blindness? This is a standard Vocational Rehabilitation Trainer exercise, so this is why I ask. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Kimberly Qualls Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 10:05 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: [CnD] cutting food Jessica, I use a fork, not only to keep the food still, but also as a guide...Stick the fork as far from the edge as the slice you want...After you go one way, then take the fork and stick it in the slices to cut them into chunks, if you need...Everyone is right, though, it takes a LOT of practice, and it can get messy, so you may want to practice on your own, first...I hope I explained that well enough... Hope it helps Kimberly ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- sent from my BrailleNote ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- sent from my BrailleNote ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Hi, Jessica. For me it depends on where I am and what I'm eating. If I'm having pancakes or French Toast at home, I'll tear it into bite size pieces before putting on the butter and syrup. If I'm out someplace I'll use the fork to get an idea of where the pancake is and try to cut bite size pieces before putting anything on it. the easiest thing for me to do with steak and other meat is to hold the knife in my right hand and use the left hand to judge the size I need cut. But this doesn't look so nice in public, so I usually just muddle through by sticking my fork into the meat and holding it with my left hand while bringing the edge of the knife as close to the fork as I can before cutting. this results in pieces of various sizes, unfortunately. But short of having someone else cut it for me or using the hands on method outlined above, it's the best way for me if I am cutting the food myself and I know people will be eating with me in public. And yes, the type of knife and even the cutting surface makes a difference. I hate dinners at my parents house because they eat all of their meals, even Christmas and Thanksgiving meals, on TV trays in the living room. Not only do the trays wobble, but there usually isn't the right type of knife used to cut the food. I either have to cut the food up in the kitchen or just have my mom do it before she brings in the plate. And don't get me started on using paper plates and plastic knives for steak.. . sigh I like the idea of using a larger plate to be sure the meat doesn't fall off or get smashed into other foods. I have asked for larger bowls when ordering salads and spaghetti just to avoid making a bigger mess. As someone said, it's not always an exact science. Unless you're constantly touching your food, you may not always cut a perfect size piece for you. And yes, lots of sighted people are very rude and messy eaters. it's just people notice us more, it's just one of those things we have to put up with as people who do things a tad differently. Lisa Belville lisa...@frontier.com missktlab1...@frontier.com ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Jessica, Cutting up food does take lots of practice, and, I think e've all been there, so my heart goes out to you. When I was getting my first dog at the Seeing Eye, at age 18, I was so concerned about how I looked that I didn't eat either the steak or the fried chicken. I was afraid that everyone was eating the fried chicken with a knife and fork. Of course, anyone who knows anything about the Seeing Eye's food, knows that I forfeited some fine food at the expense of looks. I learned quite a bit that summer, not just about guide dog work. Having said this, I think it takes a lot of maturity and self-confidence to not be concerned. In public, I tend to order food that I feel comfortable eating in public, unless I'm eating with people I know well and with whom I feel comfortable. Best of luck to you. Suzanne On Jan 23, 2012, at 7:07 PM, Becky wrote: U r not alone, we all have the same disability as u. I have been blind all my life and I know that learning how to do certain things can b tough. So sorry to hear that people have given up on teaching u how to cut your food. Do u know anyone in your area who is also blind? If so, Maybe they can work with u and they will probably b more patient and understanding because they know what it is like to not have any sight. U can write me off the list if u like. rebeca...@gmail.com Rebeca with one c Sent from my iPhone On Jan 23, 2012, at 12:35 PM, Jessica Brown jessicabrown...@gmail.com wrote: They were friends. I do not have any one who can help me who is trained. I have not had much time to try to cut food but this is because other people give up teaching me not because I give up learning. Trust me I do want to learn if it is the last thing I ever do. On 1/23/12, Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com wrote: Have you tried using your fingers to see what you're doing, gradually using them less and less as you get used to what you're doing? Not with meat, but other cuttable material? You say that people have tried to teach you. Were these people trained to do so?, or were they friends and family members. Also, and I don't mean this as it may sound, but at age 16, how much practice have you had at trying to accomplish this? Some people give up if it doesn't work almost immediately, and this goes for people trying to teach as well as people trying to learn. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: Jessica Brown jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 11:06 AM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Once again. I have tried this before as well and it did not work for me. I am 16 years old and have been blind all my life. People have tried to help teach me but no one seems to know how to teach me and it never goes well. On 1/23/12, Nicole Massey ny...@gypsyheir.com wrote: This was what I was going to suggest as well, with a modification or two. For even chunks, take the fork, after using your knife to find the edges of the meat or other food, and place the fork in the meat near one edge. Cut with the knife perpendicular to the fork's tines until that entire strip is free. Then move the fork to the next strip and cut the meat into strips. If you want it in chunks instead of strips, turn the plate 90° and then use your knife and fork to find the first strip. Place the fork near the middle and cut starting at the ends and working toward the center, cutting center chunks using your fork as your guide. Move to the other strips and cut as well. This should help. This brings me to a question. Jessica, how long have you been blind? Have you had any training to help you deal with this blindness? This is a standard Vocational Rehabilitation Trainer exercise, so this is why I ask. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Kimberly Qualls Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 10:05 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: [CnD] cutting food Jessica, I use a fork, not only to keep the food still, but also as a guide...Stick the fork as far from the edge as the slice you want...After you go one way, then take the fork and stick it in the slices to cut them into chunks, if you need...Everyone is right, though, it takes a LOT of practice, and it can get messy, so you may want to practice on your own, first...I hope I explained that well enough... Hope it helps Kimberly ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- sent from my BrailleNote
Re: [CnD] cutting food
, and I don't mean this as it may sound, but at age 16, how much practice have you had at trying to accomplish this? Some people give up if it doesn't work almost immediately, and this goes for people trying to teach as well as people trying to learn. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: Jessica Brown jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 11:06 AM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Once again. I have tried this before as well and it did not work for me. I am 16 years old and have been blind all my life. People have tried to help teach me but no one seems to know how to teach me and it never goes well. On 1/23/12, Nicole Massey ny...@gypsyheir.com wrote: This was what I was going to suggest as well, with a modification or two. For even chunks, take the fork, after using your knife to find the edges of the meat or other food, and place the fork in the meat near one edge. Cut with the knife perpendicular to the fork's tines until that entire strip is free. Then move the fork to the next strip and cut the meat into strips. If you want it in chunks instead of strips, turn the plate 90° and then use your knife and fork to find the first strip. Place the fork near the middle and cut starting at the ends and working toward the center, cutting center chunks using your fork as your guide. Move to the other strips and cut as well. This should help. This brings me to a question. Jessica, how long have you been blind? Have you had any training to help you deal with this blindness? This is a standard Vocational Rehabilitation Trainer exercise, so this is why I ask. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Kimberly Qualls Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 10:05 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: [CnD] cutting food Jessica, I use a fork, not only to keep the food still, but also as a guide...Stick the fork as far from the edge as the slice you want...After you go one way, then take the fork and stick it in the slices to cut them into chunks, if you need...Everyone is right, though, it takes a LOT of practice, and it can get messy, so you may want to practice on your own, first...I hope I explained that well enough... Hope it helps Kimberly ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- sent from my BrailleNote ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- sent from my BrailleNote ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- Have a great day, Alex (msg sent from GMail website) mehg...@gmail.com; http://www.facebook.com/mehgcap ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] Cutting food
The only thing worse than TV trays, paper plates and plastic knives is eating in your lap. I can almost guarantee that no matter how careful I am, I'll drop something on myself. If I have to eat in my lap, I don't even attempt to cut stuff. I ask for help. Allison Fallin ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] Cutting food
Agreed. I have also made quite a mess with pancakes when I accidentally cut right through the paper plate and didn't even realize it... just something to watch. On 1/23/12, Allison Fallin afal...@cox.net wrote: The only thing worse than TV trays, paper plates and plastic knives is eating in your lap. I can almost guarantee that no matter how careful I am, I'll drop something on myself. If I have to eat in my lap, I don't even attempt to cut stuff. I ask for help. Allison Fallin ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- Have a great day, Alex (msg sent from GMail website) mehg...@gmail.com; http://www.facebook.com/mehgcap ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food.
How are you holding the fork and knife in relation to each other? I find it best to put the knife blade against the back of the fork, then cut down from there. Also, you will have to reposition the fork for each cut, at least I do. That way you can use the fork to help judge the size of the piece you will be cutting, and having the fork close to the knife gives you more stabilizing ability. I hope I understood you correctly. On 1/23/12, jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com wrote: I mean that I try to use the fork to keep the food from moving around but when I cut with the knife I cut the part that the fork is under and then all of the food is free to move around. No! I do not want you to shut up. You are being very helpful. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Heidi Thomas heidi.thoma...@comcast.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:26:20 - Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hehehe, no offense taken ... Hope you're not either ... Eating with my hands is probably appalling to you and I'm sorry to offend you. ... So I didn't understand an do now, how do you mean cutting food out from under the fork? If you want me to shut up because I'm not being of any help, I will. Smile just say so, No, is the answer if it is no. I'm really sorry. Heidi -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: 23 January 2012 15:15 To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hi. I am trying to cut the food for myself but I do not like cutting one bight at a time. That is why I want to learn how to do it all at once. Wen I try to cut from the edge in, Every time I make a cut a new edge is formed and I can not tell what edge to cut from. I do not want to touch my food because that makes my hands messy and other people do not like me touching my food. I do not like touching my food either. When I try to hold the food from moving with the fork I end up cutting the food out from under the fork and then it moves around. I do not mean to offend you. That is just my feelings around the situation. Sorry for the long email. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: ajackson...@att.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:05:24 -0500 Subject: [CnD] cutting food. Hi, Jessica, Learning to cut food takes some practice. It's always best to start from the edge and work in; if you are cutting it for yourself, perhaps cutting one bite at a time would be easier. If you are cutting it for some one else, such as a young child, you may need the help of a very clean finger to touch the edge of the food and guide you to where to make the next cut. Using a fork to hold the food in place also keeps it from sliding all over the plate. Hope this helps, Alice ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- Have a great day, Alex (msg sent from GMail website) mehg...@gmail.com; http://www.facebook.com/mehgcap ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food.
Yes. That is what I do to. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Alex Hall mehg...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:47:00 -0500 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. How are you holding the fork and knife in relation to each other? I find it best to put the knife blade against the back of the fork, then cut down from there. Also, you will have to reposition the fork for each cut, at least I do. That way you can use the fork to help judge the size of the piece you will be cutting, and having the fork close to the knife gives you more stabilizing ability. I hope I understood you correctly. On 1/23/12, jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com wrote: I mean that I try to use the fork to keep the food from moving around but when I cut with the knife I cut the part that the fork is under and then all of the food is free to move around. No! I do not want you to shut up. You are being very helpful. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Heidi Thomas heidi.thoma...@comcast.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:26:20 - Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hehehe, no offense taken ... Hope you're not either ... Eating with my hands is probably appalling to you and I'm sorry to offend you. ... So I didn't understand an do now, how do you mean cutting food out from under the fork? If you want me to shut up because I'm not being of any help, I will. Smile just say so, No, is the answer if it is no. I'm really sorry. Heidi -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: 23 January 2012 15:15 To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hi. I am trying to cut the food for myself but I do not like cutting one bight at a time. That is why I want to learn how to do it all at once. Wen I try to cut from the edge in, Every time I make a cut a new edge is formed and I can not tell what edge to cut from. I do not want to touch my food because that makes my hands messy and other people do not like me touching my food. I do not like touching my food either. When I try to hold the food from moving with the fork I end up cutting the food out from under the fork and then it moves around. I do not mean to offend you. That is just my feelings around the situation. Sorry for the long email. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: ajackson...@att.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:05:24 -0500 Subject: [CnD] cutting food. Hi, Jessica, Learning to cut food takes some practice. It's always best to start from the edge and work in; if you are cutting it for yourself, perhaps cutting one bite at a time would be easier. If you are cutting it for some one else, such as a young child, you may need the help of a very clean finger to touch the edge of the food and guide you to where to make the next cut. Using a fork to hold the food in place also keeps it from sliding all over the plate. Hope this helps, Alice ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- Have a great day, Alex (msg sent from GMail website) mehg...@gmail.com; http://www.facebook.com/mehgcap ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food.
Wow there is a lot of food being cut, , lets hope it doesn't end up being the cheese! Jeff -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: Tuesday, 24 January 2012 11:52 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Yes. That is what I do to. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Alex Hall mehg...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:47:00 -0500 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. How are you holding the fork and knife in relation to each other? I find it best to put the knife blade against the back of the fork, then cut down from there. Also, you will have to reposition the fork for each cut, at least I do. That way you can use the fork to help judge the size of the piece you will be cutting, and having the fork close to the knife gives you more stabilizing ability. I hope I understood you correctly. On 1/23/12, jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com wrote: I mean that I try to use the fork to keep the food from moving around but when I cut with the knife I cut the part that the fork is under and then all of the food is free to move around. No! I do not want you to shut up. You are being very helpful. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Heidi Thomas heidi.thoma...@comcast.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:26:20 - Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hehehe, no offense taken ... Hope you're not either ... Eating with my hands is probably appalling to you and I'm sorry to offend you. ... So I didn't understand an do now, how do you mean cutting food out from under the fork? If you want me to shut up because I'm not being of any help, I will. Smile just say so, No, is the answer if it is no. I'm really sorry. Heidi -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: 23 January 2012 15:15 To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hi. I am trying to cut the food for myself but I do not like cutting one bight at a time. That is why I want to learn how to do it all at once. Wen I try to cut from the edge in, Every time I make a cut a new edge is formed and I can not tell what edge to cut from. I do not want to touch my food because that makes my hands messy and other people do not like me touching my food. I do not like touching my food either. When I try to hold the food from moving with the fork I end up cutting the food out from under the fork and then it moves around. I do not mean to offend you. That is just my feelings around the situation. Sorry for the long email. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: ajackson...@att.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:05:24 -0500 Subject: [CnD] cutting food. Hi, Jessica, Learning to cut food takes some practice. It's always best to start from the edge and work in; if you are cutting it for yourself, perhaps cutting one bite at a time would be easier. If you are cutting it for some one else, such as a young child, you may need the help of a very clean finger to touch the edge of the food and guide you to where to make the next cut. Using a fork to hold the food in place also keeps it from sliding all over the plate. Hope this helps, Alice ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark -- Have a great day, Alex (msg sent from GMail website) mehg...@gmail.com; http://www.facebook.com/mehgcap ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Why not? This is something they should provide, or, if need be, they can send you to a rehab center, or you can go to one, to take classes on stuff like this. Just a thought. Another thought is this: Did, or do, you attend a school for the blind? Although they should teach these skills, they unfortunately quite often do not. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 6:03 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I can not get help from a rehab teacher. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Allison Fallin afal...@cox.net To: Cooking in the Dark cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:42:36 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Hi Jessica, I know how hard it is, particularly as a teenager, to not be worried about how things look. Your concern reminds me of a story my husband tells. When he was in his late teens, his older brother urged him to use a cane or dog. He was reluctant, because it would make him look blind. As his brother said: well, you are blind, and people can see that. Once he thought about it, he knew that was true. I came in late on this thread, so you may have answered this. Can you get any help from a rehab teacher? It's hard to have family members teach you, at least it was for me. One further thought. Given the state of the airline industry right now, you won't have to worry about cutting food on a plane. You never have to cut peanuts, assuming you even get those. Lol. Allison Fallin ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
I have no other disabilities. I have heard that when you are blind your other 4 senses are stronger because your body is not using the energy to see. I believe it because I am always hearing and feeling and smelling and noticing things that other people around me do not. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: John Kolwick john2...@suddenlink.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:41:09 -0500 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Hello Jessica, you have been provided a bunch of information and it may seem overwhelming. I have no other specific advice but will ask a question and you do not have to answer on list. Do you have any other types of disabilities: autism, mobility issues etc. If so, these could effect your ability to cut properly or have sensitivities to touching foods. Good luck and I hope your not beating up on yourself when it gets difficult. If you notice yourself becoming frustrated take a break and breathe several times and refocus. -Original Message- From: Jessica Brown Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 4:46 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I have tried cutting bread and toast and I can not even cut it in a strate line. My mom cuts my food for me and I want to be able to do it for me. On 1/23/12, Jean Hunt krazyg...@sbcglobal.net wrote: Jessica You are a very young lady and as everyone has been indicating that patience and practice goes a long way. As for the practice you might want to try cutting a slice of bread with or without butter or you might want to try toast for a different type of texture. Who has been cutting your food up to this point in your life. I am curious If you don't care to say that is ok too. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Jessica Brown Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:35 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food They were friends. I do not have any one who can help me who is trained. I have not had much time to try to cut food but this is because other people give up teaching me not because I give up learning. Trust me I do want to learn if it is the last thing I ever do. On 1/23/12, Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com wrote: Have you tried using your fingers to see what you're doing, gradually using them less and less as you get used to what you're doing? Not with meat, but other cuttable material? You say that people have tried to teach you. Were these people trained to do so?, or were they friends and family members. Also, and I don't mean this as it may sound, but at age 16, how much practice have you had at trying to accomplish this? Some people give up if it doesn't work almost immediately, and this goes for people trying to teach as well as people trying to learn. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: Jessica Brown jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 11:06 AM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Once again. I have tried this before as well and it did not work for me. I am 16 years old and have been blind all my life. People have tryed to help teach me but no one seems to know how to teach me and it never goes well. On 1/23/12, Nicole Massey ny...@gypsyheir.com wrote: This was what I was going to suggest as well, with a modification or two. For even chunks, take the fork, after using your knife to find the edges of the meat or other food, and place the fork in the meat near one edge. Cut with the knife perpendicular to the fork's tines until that entire strip is free. Then move the fork to the next strip and cut the meat into strips. If you want it in chunks instead of strips, turn the plate 90° and then use your knife and fork to find the first strip. Place the fork near the middle and cut starting at the ends and working toward the center, cutting center chunks using your fork as your guide. Move to the other strips and cut as well. This should help. This brings me to a question. Jessica, how long have you been blind? Have you had any training to help you deal with this blindness? This is a standard Vocational Rehabilitation Trainer exercise, so this is why I ask. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of Kimberly Qualls Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 10:05 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: [CnD] cutting food Jessica, I use a fork, not only to keep the food still, but also as a guide...Stick the fork as far from the edge as the slice you want...After you go one way, then take the fork and stick it in the slices to cut them into chunks, if you need...Everyone is right, though, it takes a LOT of practice, and it can get messy, so you may want
Re: [CnD] cutting food
I can not get help from a rehab teacher and I can not go to a blind school because my mom and dad will not let me. I would love to go there though. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:35:07 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Why not? This is something they should provide, or, if need be, they can send you to a rehab center, or you can go to one, to take classes on stuff like this. Just a thought. Another thought is this: Did, or do, you attend a school for the blind? Although they should teach these skills, they unfortunately quite often do not. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 6:03 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I can not get help from a rehab teacher. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Allison Fallin afal...@cox.net To: Cooking in the Dark cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:42:36 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Hi Jessica, I know how hard it is, particularly as a teenager, to not be worried about how things look. Your concern reminds me of a story my husband tells. When he was in his late teens, his older brother urged him to use a cane or dog. He was reluctant, because it would make him look blind. As his brother said: well, you are blind, and people can see that. Once he thought about it, he knew that was true. I came in late on this thread, so you may have answered this. Can you get any help from a rehab teacher? It's hard to have family members teach you, at least it was for me. One further thought. Given the state of the airline industry right now, you won't have to worry about cutting food on a plane. You never have to cut peanuts, assuming you even get those. Lol. Allison Fallin ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Where do you live? I'm asking because there might be some assistance you can get from non profit organizations that wouldn't require you to leave home. Just a thought -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 6:42 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I can not get help from a rehab teacher and I can not go to a blind school because my mom and dad will not let me. I would love to go there though. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:35:07 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Why not? This is something they should provide, or, if need be, they can send you to a rehab center, or you can go to one, to take classes on stuff like this. Just a thought. Another thought is this: Did, or do, you attend a school for the blind? Although they should teach these skills, they unfortunately quite often do not. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 6:03 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I can not get help from a rehab teacher. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Allison Fallin afal...@cox.net To: Cooking in the Dark cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:42:36 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Hi Jessica, I know how hard it is, particularly as a teenager, to not be worried about how things look. Your concern reminds me of a story my husband tells. When he was in his late teens, his older brother urged him to use a cane or dog. He was reluctant, because it would make him look blind. As his brother said: well, you are blind, and people can see that. Once he thought about it, he knew that was true. I came in late on this thread, so you may have answered this. Can you get any help from a rehab teacher? It's hard to have family members teach you, at least it was for me. One further thought. Given the state of the airline industry right now, you won't have to worry about cutting food on a plane. You never have to cut peanuts, assuming you even get those. Lol. Allison Fallin ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1416 / Virus Database: 2109/4762 - Release Date: 01/23/12 ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food.
That's okay. Then, as Alex described, you simply locate the food again with the knife and fork and make your next cut. I have a hunch you're not doing nearly as badly as you think. If, as he says, you can find a friend to work with, one who will not only be honest but who also will not be critical, I think you'll do just fine. If that friend is also a blind person, that's even better! Deb -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 8:40 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. I mean that When I use the fork to hold the food from moving I end up cutting the piece of food that the fork is holding and then the fork is no longer holding the food from moving. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:32:33 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. I don't follow what you mean by the food that the fork is under. The fork is stabbed down into the meat, then you use the fork as a guide for the knife. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 5:55 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. I mean that I try to use the fork to keep the food from moving around but when I cut with the knife I cut the part that the fork is under and then all of the food is free to move around. No! I do not want you to shut up. You are being very helpful. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Heidi Thomas heidi.thoma...@comcast.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:26:20 - Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hehehe, no offense taken ... Hope you're not either ... Eating with my hands is probably appalling to you and I'm sorry to offend you. ... So I didn't understand an do now, how do you mean cutting food out from under the fork? If you want me to shut up because I'm not being of any help, I will. Smile just say so, No, is the answer if it is no. I'm really sorry. Heidi -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: 23 January 2012 15:15 To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hi. I am trying to cut the food for myself but I do not like cutting one bight at a time. That is why I want to learn how to do it all at once. Wen I try to cut from the edge in, Every time I make a cut a new edge is formed and I can not tell what edge to cut from. I do not want to touch my food because that makes my hands messy and other people do not like me touching my food. I do not like touching my food either. When I try to hold the food from moving with the fork I end up cutting the food out from under the fork and then it moves around. I do not mean to offend you. That is just my feelings around the situation. Sorry for the long email. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: ajackson...@att.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:05:24 -0500 Subject: [CnD] cutting food. Hi, Jessica, Learning to cut food takes some practice. It's always best to start from the edge and work in; if you are cutting it for yourself, perhaps cutting one bite at a time would be easier. If you are cutting it for some one else, such as a young child, you may need the help of a very clean finger to touch the edge of the food and guide you to where to make the next cut. Using a fork to hold the food in place also keeps it from sliding all over the plate. Hope this helps, Alice ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Jessica, in the earlier e-mail, I told you that there is nothing wrong with using your fingers. Think of it this way. Don't sighted people see their food with their eyes? Don't they look to see if they have eaten everything on their plates if they are members of the so called, clean plate club? Charles said it best. Your fingers are your eyes. If this is true, and having been blind my entire life, I believe that this is true, there's nothing wrong with using your fingers. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 7:03 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I can not get help from a rehab teacher. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Allison Fallin afal...@cox.net To: Cooking in the Dark cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:42:36 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Hi Jessica, I know how hard it is, particularly as a teenager, to not be worried about how things look. Your concern reminds me of a story my husband tells. When he was in his late teens, his older brother urged him to use a cane or dog. He was reluctant, because it would make him look blind. As his brother said: well, you are blind, and people can see that. Once he thought about it, he knew that was true. I came in late on this thread, so you may have answered this. Can you get any help from a rehab teacher? It's hard to have family members teach you, at least it was for me. One further thought. Given the state of the airline industry right now, you won't have to worry about cutting food on a plane. You never have to cut peanuts, assuming you even get those. Lol. Allison Fallin ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
They won't let you? What is their reasoning? This one problem of cutting food is a prime example of why you should be allowed to attend such a facility, especially if they, meaning your parents and or other family members, nor friends, can adequately instruct and assist you in doing what needs to be done. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 8:41 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I can not get help from a rehab teacher and I can not go to a blind school because my mom and dad will not let me. I would love to go there though. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:35:07 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Why not? This is something they should provide, or, if need be, they can send you to a rehab center, or you can go to one, to take classes on stuff like this. Just a thought. Another thought is this: Did, or do, you attend a school for the blind? Although they should teach these skills, they unfortunately quite often do not. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 6:03 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I can not get help from a rehab teacher. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Allison Fallin afal...@cox.net To: Cooking in the Dark cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:42:36 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Hi Jessica, I know how hard it is, particularly as a teenager, to not be worried about how things look. Your concern reminds me of a story my husband tells. When he was in his late teens, his older brother urged him to use a cane or dog. He was reluctant, because it would make him look blind. As his brother said: well, you are blind, and people can see that. Once he thought about it, he knew that was true. I came in late on this thread, so you may have answered this. Can you get any help from a rehab teacher? It's hard to have family members teach you, at least it was for me. One further thought. Given the state of the airline industry right now, you won't have to worry about cutting food on a plane. You never have to cut peanuts, assuming you even get those. Lol. Allison Fallin ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food.
Hmm, if you make sure the knife cuts the portion of meat that starts close to where the fork is embedded you should be able to just cut off a small piece of meat. Let's take a simple example. Let's say you have a long piece of meat that's facing you from left to right. When you spear the fork into the meat, make sure the knife is at the beginning of the piece you're cutting. So, try to place the fork at the left most side of the meat with a bit of meat behind the fork at the outer left hand side with the knife positioned a bit to the right of the fork. Now when you cut, the knife should cut off the piece speared by the fork only. you can use the knife edge to determine how large the piece is and repeat the step above. It's probably easier to show using hands on techniques than writing it all out, but that's basically how I do it. It does take practice and you might need to use more hands on when you do it just to get an idea of what you're feeling and what information the knife and fork are sending you. Lisa Lisa Belville lisa...@frontier.com missktlab1...@frontier.com - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 8:39 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. I mean that When I use the fork to hold the food from moving I end up cutting the piece of food that the fork is holding and then the fork is no longer holding the food from moving. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:32:33 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. I don't follow what you mean by the food that the fork is under. The fork is stabbed down into the meat, then you use the fork as a guide for the knife. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 5:55 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. I mean that I try to use the fork to keep the food from moving around but when I cut with the knife I cut the part that the fork is under and then all of the food is free to move around. No! I do not want you to shut up. You are being very helpful. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Heidi Thomas heidi.thoma...@comcast.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:26:20 - Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hehehe, no offense taken ... Hope you're not either ... Eating with my hands is probably appalling to you and I'm sorry to offend you. ... So I didn't understand an do now, how do you mean cutting food out from under the fork? If you want me to shut up because I'm not being of any help, I will. Smile just say so, No, is the answer if it is no. I'm really sorry. Heidi -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: 23 January 2012 15:15 To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food. Hi. I am trying to cut the food for myself but I do not like cutting one bight at a time. That is why I want to learn how to do it all at once. Wen I try to cut from the edge in, Every time I make a cut a new edge is formed and I can not tell what edge to cut from. I do not want to touch my food because that makes my hands messy and other people do not like me touching my food. I do not like touching my food either. When I try to hold the food from moving with the fork I end up cutting the food out from under the fork and then it moves around. I do not mean to offend you. That is just my feelings around the situation. Sorry for the long email. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: ajackson...@att.net To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:05:24 -0500 Subject: [CnD] cutting food. Hi, Jessica, Learning to cut food takes some practice. It's always best to start from the edge and work in; if you are cutting it for yourself, perhaps cutting one bite at a time would be easier. If you are cutting it for some one else, such as a young child, you may need the help of a very clean finger to touch the edge of the food and guide you to where to make the next cut. Using a fork to hold the food in place also keeps it from sliding all over the plate. Hope this helps, Alice ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
I am ambidextrous. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:43:41 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Another thought I just had is this, and I should have thought of it before. People say to put the knife in the right hand and the fork in the left. I could not do this, even though people may insist that this is the correct way to do it. The majority of people are right handed, so they put the knife in their right hand. Are you left handed, like me? Switching their instructions to fit your needs makes all the difference in the world. For example, I've been playing the guitar since 1968, but there's no way I can play one that is strung for a left handed person who fingers the fret board and making the chords with their right hand, because I've been doing it with my left hand for so long.. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: Alex Hall mehg...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 6:42 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I'm coming in late here, I know. I generally use my fork, in my left hand, to find the meat. I then find an edge or corner, move in a bit to approximate a bite-sized piece, then put the fork into the meat so the back is facing the rest of the meat, the tines facing outward, the handle straight up or tilted away from the rest of the meat. I then move the knife to the back of the fork and cut down, using the fork as a guide. If the piece is too big, which you can tell either by using the knife or fork to feel it or by judging the weight once you have it on the fork, just cut it in half by using the same fork/knife trick as above. For anything I put a topping on, like pancakes, there is no question: cut it first, then add what you want on top. I usually cut the item in half (or as close to half as I can get), then rotate the plate ninety degrees and cut in half again. I now have four quarters that I can concentrate on one at a time. Of course, I usually end up with some very large pieces that I have to cut again. Pancakes and other lighter, flat foods are good since you can usually tell the size of the piece by moving the fork a tiny bit once you stab the piece and pick it up. The balance of the piece, and the overall weight, will usually tell you if the piece is too large and where the excess is. It takes practice to read clues like this, but if you practice at home, where you can shamelessly feel the food if you need to, I think you'll get it. At home, I often use my left hand as a guide, which I know I shouldn't do... but I'm at home, so I figure it does not really matter. I will also sometimes simply tear up the food, especially things like pancakes. When I am out somewhere, I try to stick to things that will not give me too much trouble - fried finger foods, burgers, pasta dishes with little excess sauce (alfredo, for example), that sort of thing. I think a lot of it is just accepting that, when you can't see your food, you will have to find and cut it differently than others. Getting good with using a knife or fork as a sort of food cane, and judging sizes and placements of pieces by how they feel on the fork, is important. However, it is even more important to simply not think about what others might be thinking (yes, I completely understand how hard that can be). Also, you may want to find a good friend, and try out different techniques with him or her; s/he can give you an idea of what is commonly accepted as normal or acceptable, and you can try out different adaptations of techniques and ideas. Together, I am sure you can work out things that look fine but still work for you. As someone else said, if you can find a blind person in your area with whom you can work, that would also be a very good idea. Hope this helps some. On 1/23/12, Suzanne Erb suze...@comcast.net wrote: Jessica, Cutting up food does take lots of practice, and, I think e've all been there, so my heart goes out to you. When I was getting my first dog at the Seeing Eye, at age 18, I was so concerned about how I looked that I didn't eat either the steak or the fried chicken. I was afraid that everyone was eating the fried chicken with a knife and fork. Of course, anyone who knows anything about the Seeing Eye's food, knows that I forfeited some fine food at the expense of looks. I learned quite a bit that summer, not just about guide dog work. Having said this, I think it takes a lot of maturity and self-confidence to not be concerned. In public, I tend to order food that I feel comfortable eating in public, unless I'm eating with people I know well and with whom I feel comfortable. Best of luck to you. Suzanne On Jan 23, 2012, at 7:07 PM, Becky wrote: U r not alone, we all have the same disability as u. I have been
Re: [CnD] cutting food
The way I look at it is that it's always worth a try if you really want it. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 7:21 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food No thank you. I would not be able to explane that to my mom and dad. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Drew Hunthausen dhunthau...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:02:55 -0800 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Where do you live? I'm asking because there might be some assistance you can get from non profit organizations that wouldn't require you to leave home. Just a thought -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 6:42 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I can not get help from a rehab teacher and I can not go to a blind school because my mom and dad will not let me. I would love to go there though. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:35:07 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Why not? This is something they should provide, or, if need be, they can send you to a rehab center, or you can go to one, to take classes on stuff like this. Just a thought. Another thought is this: Did, or do, you attend a school for the blind? Although they should teach these skills, they unfortunately quite often do not. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 6:03 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I can not get help from a rehab teacher. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Allison Fallin afal...@cox.net To: Cooking in the Dark cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:42:36 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Hi Jessica, I know how hard it is, particularly as a teenager, to not be worried about how things look. Your concern reminds me of a story my husband tells. When he was in his late teens, his older brother urged him to use a cane or dog. He was reluctant, because it would make him look blind. As his brother said: well, you are blind, and people can see that. Once he thought about it, he knew that was true. I came in late on this thread, so you may have answered this. Can you get any help from a rehab teacher? It's hard to have family members teach you, at least it was for me. One further thought. Given the state of the airline industry right now, you won't have to worry about cutting food on a plane. You never have to cut peanuts, assuming you even get those. Lol. Allison Fallin ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1416 / Virus Database: 2109/4762 - Release Date: 01/23/12 ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1416 / Virus Database: 2109/4762 - Release Date: 01/23/12 ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
Re: [CnD] cutting food
In that case, you should try it both ways and see which way is easier. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 7:21 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I am ambidextrous. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:43:41 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Another thought I just had is this, and I should have thought of it before. People say to put the knife in the right hand and the fork in the left. I could not do this, even though people may insist that this is the correct way to do it. The majority of people are right handed, so they put the knife in their right hand. Are you left handed, like me? Switching their instructions to fit your needs makes all the difference in the world. For example, I've been playing the guitar since 1968, but there's no way I can play one that is strung for a left handed person who fingers the fret board and making the chords with their right hand, because I've been doing it with my left hand for so long.. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: Alex Hall mehg...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 6:42 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I'm coming in late here, I know. I generally use my fork, in my left hand, to find the meat. I then find an edge or corner, move in a bit to approximate a bite-sized piece, then put the fork into the meat so the back is facing the rest of the meat, the tines facing outward, the handle straight up or tilted away from the rest of the meat. I then move the knife to the back of the fork and cut down, using the fork as a guide. If the piece is too big, which you can tell either by using the knife or fork to feel it or by judging the weight once you have it on the fork, just cut it in half by using the same fork/knife trick as above. For anything I put a topping on, like pancakes, there is no question: cut it first, then add what you want on top. I usually cut the item in half (or as close to half as I can get), then rotate the plate ninety degrees and cut in half again. I now have four quarters that I can concentrate on one at a time. Of course, I usually end up with some very large pieces that I have to cut again. Pancakes and other lighter, flat foods are good since you can usually tell the size of the piece by moving the fork a tiny bit once you stab the piece and pick it up. The balance of the piece, and the overall weight, will usually tell you if the piece is too large and where the excess is. It takes practice to read clues like this, but if you practice at home, where you can shamelessly feel the food if you need to, I think you'll get it. At home, I often use my left hand as a guide, which I know I shouldn't do... but I'm at home, so I figure it does not really matter. I will also sometimes simply tear up the food, especially things like pancakes. When I am out somewhere, I try to stick to things that will not give me too much trouble - fried finger foods, burgers, pasta dishes with little excess sauce (alfredo, for example), that sort of thing. I think a lot of it is just accepting that, when you can't see your food, you will have to find and cut it differently than others. Getting good with using a knife or fork as a sort of food cane, and judging sizes and placements of pieces by how they feel on the fork, is important. However, it is even more important to simply not think about what others might be thinking (yes, I completely understand how hard that can be). Also, you may want to find a good friend, and try out different techniques with him or her; s/he can give you an idea of what is commonly accepted as normal or acceptable, and you can try out different adaptations of techniques and ideas. Together, I am sure you can work out things that look fine but still work for you. As someone else said, if you can find a blind person in your area with whom you can work, that would also be a very good idea. Hope this helps some. On 1/23/12, Suzanne Erb suze...@comcast.net wrote: Jessica, Cutting up food does take lots of practice, and, I think e've all been there, so my heart goes out to you. When I was getting my first dog at the Seeing Eye, at age 18, I was so concerned about how I looked that I didn't eat either the steak or the fried chicken. I was afraid that everyone was eating the fried chicken with a knife and fork. Of course, anyone who knows anything about the Seeing Eye's food, knows that I forfeited some fine food at the expense of looks. I learned quite a bit that summer, not just about guide dog work. Having said this, I think it takes a lot of maturity and self
Re: [CnD] cutting food
Hello, While browsing a comunity catalog from one of our school districts, I came across a food cutting course. The description was not very detailed, but what if you searched for a class where you are from? Personally, I might consider taking it. This is just food for thought. I wish you good luck. Cindy Garcia -- On Mon, Jan 23, 2012 9:33 PM CST jessica wrote: I look at it differently. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Drew Hunthausen dhunthau...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:29:38 -0800 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food The way I look at it is that it's always worth a try if you really want it. -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 7:21 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food No thank you. I would not be able to explane that to my mom and dad. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Drew Hunthausen dhunthau...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:02:55 -0800 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Where do you live? I'm asking because there might be some assistance you can get from non profit organizations that wouldn't require you to leave home. Just a thought -Original Message- From: cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org [mailto:cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org] On Behalf Of jessica Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 6:42 PM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I can not get help from a rehab teacher and I can not go to a blind school because my mom and dad will not let me. I would love to go there though. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard wee1s...@fidnet.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:35:07 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Why not? This is something they should provide, or, if need be, they can send you to a rehab center, or you can go to one, to take classes on stuff like this. Just a thought. Another thought is this: Did, or do, you attend a school for the blind? Although they should teach these skills, they unfortunately quite often do not. --- Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. - Original Message - From: jessica jessicabrown...@gmail.com To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 6:03 PM Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food I can not get help from a rehab teacher. sent from my BrailleNote - Original Message - From: Allison Fallin afal...@cox.net To: Cooking in the Dark cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Date sent: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:42:36 -0600 Subject: Re: [CnD] cutting food Hi Jessica, I know how hard it is, particularly as a teenager, to not be worried about how things look. Your concern reminds me of a story my husband tells. When he was in his late teens, his older brother urged him to use a cane or dog. He was reluctant, because it would make him look blind. As his brother said: well, you are blind, and people can see that. Once he thought about it, he knew that was true. I came in late on this thread, so you may have answered this. Can you get any help from a rehab teacher? It's hard to have family members teach you, at least it was for me. One further thought. Given the state of the airline industry right now, you won't have to worry about cutting food on a plane. You never have to cut peanuts, assuming you even get those. Lol. Allison Fallin ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1416 / Virus Database: 2109/4762 - Release Date: 01/23/12 ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1416 / Virus Database: 2109/4762 - Release Date: 01/23/12 ___ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark
