[IL-Talk] Learn a new way to get from my patio to the sidewalk that goes along my street

[Leslie Hamric]

Hello federation family. I am happy to report that I am pretty much over Covid. I started to feel better on Wednesday and I've been steadily feeling better ever since. They're going to start resealing the driveways in my neighborhood including mine and I thought rather than being stuck in my house, I figured there has to be a way for me to do this without walking on the driveway to get to the sidewalk that goes along my street. So I had Andy walk me through the route the first time. I did not realize that one of my bushes was curvy and it could lead directly to my driveway. But I don't want to walk on my driveway so I have to keep going straight and not following it. The air conditioners are a big help because I can hear a loud one on one side and a quiet one on the other side and then I can hear an additional air conditioner Traveling my straight line. When those air conditioners are on, there are wonderful clue. When they're off, I just have to rely on my sense of direction. Getting to the sidewalk itself is pretty easy because you just have to keep maintaining a straight line and then the grass is dead ends and the next thing that's in front of you is the sidewalk that's perpendicular north and south. After Andy and I went over at once, I said I wanted to do it on my own. And I did it on my own twice without any mistakes. Woo hoo! Of course, I'll have to teach it to Omega but I wanted to know how to do it with the cane first so then I'd have an easier time clicking the important spots. She's pretty good about navigating the space and maintaining or straight line. of course, when I do this route with her, I'll just have to be extra aware if she's trying to turn me to the right and go toward our driveway and then redirect her if she is. But I have to tell you, the best thing I learned from going on the all paws on deck cruise was an even greater awareness of what I'm feeling through my dogs harness handle and when she's not going straight. When she's cutting in front of me or trying to turn away from me. I mean, I'm on my fifth guy dog and it's taken a while to develop this awareness but there it is. This awareness will only get better overtime. I wanted to share with you all how proud I am of myself for taking the initiative to navigate this type of space and to figure out a solution for getting to the sidewalk when they're resealing my driveway so I'm not going to be Stuck in my house. That's what the NFB is all about, problem-solving. I really enjoyed listening to President Riccobono speech and I'm really hoping to be at convention in person  next year. Th There's something about convention and especially his speeches that really inspire all of us to keep pushing forward. Take care and I hope everyone is having a nice weekend.
Leslie Hamric
Cello and Braille Music Teacher