What an excellent question! When I first lost my sight, I asked that very same question, “How do I know what is on my plate and that I’m not eating something icky?”
When I went to blind school, we were not allowed to eat with our fingers. We learned to use the knife and fork as if they were an extension of our hands. Sounds rather odd, but with practice, I could identify food on my plate by the way it felt through my knife and fork. There are still some foods that provide a challenge for me, such as salad. Is there any graceful way to eat salad? Thank God I’m married and my husband knows I'm not a slob. Salad just has a hard time findings its way to my mouth. I need to test each bite with my knife before putting it into my mouth. I cut off the pieces that stick out too much. Still, it is an awkward process.
Another challenge presented itself when we joined a few friends for Mexican food. The elusive community salsa bowl was never where I had remembered it and it hindered me from partaking in the dip. So, my brilliant husband asked the waiter for a bowl of my own. It obediently stayed at my twelve o’clock and I didn’t have to worry about embarrassing myself by dipping out of turn.
Most of the time, my husband serves me food and informs me where everything is on my plate. That is very helpful. Nothing is more confusing than taking a bite of something you thought was a potato, only to realize it was cooked zucchini.
If he is not with me, I identify my meat and place it at 12 o’clock. Next, I identify the left side, and then the right. After that, I’m good to go.
When at a restaurant, I have learned to listen to where the waiter places my water cup. It involves some paying attention, but it is worth sparing me the embarrassment of spilling my water all over the table.
Before adding salt and pepper to my food, I sprinkle a bit into my hand and taste it to identify the substance. Then, I use my fingers to sprinkle the seasoning onto my food so I know how much I’m adding. I do the same thing when I cook.
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