February is Low Vision Awareness Month, and we want to hear from the PWAs in our community.
How do you visually access your hobbies? Whether you enjoy participating in arts, sports, or something else, share one tip or trick you use along with a photo (of the tip, or of you doing your hobby!). Selected submissions will be featured on NOAH social media and included on our Low Vision Tips & Tricks page!
Please send your tips, tricks, and photos to Emily at eaubrey@albinism.org
“I love crocheting, I mainly make 3D items such as animals. I enjoy how relaxing it is and while learning how to crochet initially was a bit difficult now that I have had more experience I find it easier. Some things I use to crochet are a longer crochet hook called a Tunisian crochet hook, even though it is supposed to be used for a specific technique. I just use it as a normal crochet hook because I like the extra length and it allows me to hold onto and find my hook easier. I also use very colorful stitch markers to help me know where a round or row ends, and I prefer to use more colorful bright yarn so that helps me know what I am doing. When it comes to sewing my pieces together, I use a large tapestry or ball point needle as they are not as sharp as normal ones but enough to pierce through my pieces to sew them together. When reading a pattern, I use my computer with dark mode and a magnifier on it to read it. If I print my pattern, I use colored pens to make notes or make off the steps to help me stay on track.” – Luna
“I have been dancing since I was 6 years old, and I love it. I take ballet, contemporary, lyrical, tap, and hip hop classes. In class, I stand in a place where I am able to see my teacher at all times, and I don’t stand directly behind someone. Also, while dancing I only rely on my peripheral vision when I absolutely have to because my nystamus can sometimes cause me to become dizzy. Spotting is very important when I perform pirouettes. I also ask questions if I am unable to see a combination given by my teacher. When I am at the ballet barre, I stand in a place where I can see my teacher demonstrate the combinations. I also try to memorize combinations. ” – Jayana
“I am an amateur musician. I use my iPad and ReBokeh to see the conductor.” – Calvin
“I don’t usually use any device to draw (my hobby) Sometimes I feel comfortable without glasses, sometimes I just adjust the lightning. I will have to say that I’m very determined even though I have to get very close to see what I’m doing.” – Jeaniel
“I use a hot pink leash to make it easier to see when doing nosework with my dog. Tilly is now one of the top nosework dogs in the country!” – Becca Evans
“This is my son Everett. He’s a talented football player and PWA. Sunglasses are very helpful and he found a pair that fit under his helmet. He was also approved to wear a tinted visor as needed. Tinted football visors are typically restricted only to the NFL players but it was approved as a reasonable accommodation. He also downhill skis and plays golf. ” – Gina
“When I run class 3 white water I have a guide behind me giving verbal directional cues since I can’t visually read the water lines. This allows me me to be independent in my own kayak without being tethered or in a tandem kayak.” – Jennifer E.
“I LOVE music! I play piano and violin. I use an app called forScore to enlarge my music. I can either take a picture of my music and download it into the app or I can upload a PDF. I use a foot pedal to flip the pages. I used to use “fancy glasses” (Eschenbach MaxDetail) which are basically glasses with magnifiers on the lens. I am in a couple of orchestras where I play violin, and I am in the front row so I can see the conductor easier.” – Caroline V.
William, 14, uses a very large main monitor along with two side monitors to pull up different maps and weather models in his study of all things Meteorology related! – Maria