Handicraft for visually impaired

My tutorial session with En. Fazlin of MAB was postponed. He had a class of 5 young people who are visually impaired and need the training more urgently.  So I hope in June I can make a private tutoring sessions with him to master the computer and iPhone. Since I an not using my laptop so often now and do less reading and watching TV, I have to find something to keep me busy. My search through internet suggests decoupage.

Decoupage class at Craft Heavens 240414

The ladies proudly showing off their decoupage bags. I am the shorty in the group.

My colourful decoupage tote, my first masterpiece.. 240414

My second decoupage tote.

I enrolled myself in a decoupage class at Craft Heavens and learn the techniques under close supervision from Suni, the instructor. I was as proud as a peacock to see the result, my first masterpiece. The second attempt was not as good because my technique is still weak. It is meant to be a present to someone who has helped me in many ways. I just hope my weak technique will not be so noticeable. I really noticed the weakness in my eyesight. With weak eyesight cutting decoupage papers is a big problem but as a friend said I can always ask for help, which I am not too keen to do.

The water-transfer decoupage on water bottle.

Water bottle decoupage

Recycle olive oil bottle decorated with crayon and silver glitters. Good for vase.

Sister-in-law, Juriah taught me how to do water-transfer decoupage and using crayon to decorate recycle bottles. Though these activities do not really strain my eyes, I have an acute realization that it would be difficult for me to continue if I lose my sight. But for now my time is fruitfully occupied.

Painted recycle glass bottle using shading technique.

When I was young, I was always interested in handicraft. In secondary school, I have a teacher who taught me how to knit and to understand the instruction from knitting books. In Form 3, I knitted my own cardigan and top.  I did crochet too and crochet dresses and matching caps for my two daughters. Tatting, cross- stitch, quilting and embroidery occupied my time beside studying. Unfortunately, in my condition now, it's not possible to do these again.

Glass painting, class work

Glass painting on recycle bottles.

Gold outlined glass bottle paintings.

glass painting on medium size Acai berry juice bottle.

I always believe to recycle things rather than throwing them away. I take organic bilberry juice regularly and the bottles are nice. So I took up an hour course on glass painting at Creative Cottage. I found that I like doing glass painting more. Olive oil bottles, juice bottles and many other nice looking bottles will find it with new paintings. I hope I can sell them at the mosque shop and the money will go  into the mosque kitty to help the unfortunates. I just pray I can continue to do this for a long time more and that my sight does not let me down.  

Painted toilet rolls to put electrical wires.

 The wires of many electrical gadgets in the house such as hair dryer, hand phone, rice cooker etc etc result in messy wires. To keep the wires tidy and easy to find, I painted the inside of toilet paper and keep different wires in separate rolls. It makes my life a bit easier.
Sight is very important. Without it, life is handicapped. Take good care of your eyes.

Birthday Boy and Girl 2014

Gabe turned  2 on 24 March 2014 and Rania is 4 years old on 16 April 2014. The birthday parties for both grandchildren are small and quietly involved family members only. Gabe had a bigger crowd of relatives as he has more uncles and aunties and cousins to dote on him, While Rania has only an uncle and an auntie on his mother's side and a nenek. she has more uncles and aunties on his dad's side but they are in Australia. But the parties went on and the birthday kids were just as happy especially when opening their birthday presents.

Gabe wearing his birthday cap at his birthday party 230314

It's Gabe's birthday but his cousins were busy blowing his birthday candles.

Blow kids blow. Gabe with cousins Delia and Rania 230314

Gabe was fascinated with the little cars which rolled down the tiny ram.

Birthday boy, Gabe with parents, Kak Rania and Nenek.

Rania wearin the eye mask at Gabe's birthday

The birthday boy received  cars after cars - tiny, big and bigger while Rania received the girlie things like Queen Lisa's attire with tiara and all, sleeping baby, microphone. She has a grand time belting 'Let it Go' of Frozen using the microphone. We wondered whether she's going to be a singer or gets herself involved in performing arts. While Gabe, we think, would get himself into cars like racing. His father is aiming to introduce him to go-kart when he is a bit bigger.

Rania singin 'Let It Go' with audience Gabe 200414

Rania singing accompanied by her guitar. 200414

Rania got a loving birthday hug from Misha at her school birthday party. 160414 

Rania with class friends, Misha and Ian celebrating Rania's 4th birthday. 160414

The birthday girls, Rania admiring her Frozen birthday cake. 200414

cousins

Rania had 2 parties - one in her school on the 16 April, her real 4th birthday and the other on Sunday, 20 April for the family.

Kak Rania taking care of Gabe at Aquaria 240314

Geli hati. Rania tried to figure out what Pak Su is doing. 240314

While Gabe had his birthday party on 23 March but spent his actual birthday visiting Aquaria with his parents, Nenek and Kak Rania, the next day
I am so proud of my grandchildren. They are my life, bringing me much joy and happiness. I hope to have much more joy in the future with them and see them grow up to be fine boy and girl. Insyaallah.
Love you much much Rania and Gabe. You must know that wherever I go you two are permanently engraved  in my heart.

Rania doing the bridge at her gymnastic class watched by her instructor. 

At gymnastic class with Ira, her classmate.

Rania at Hot Baloon Fair in Putrajaya

Rania is a busy little missie now. Every Sunday she attends gymnastic class and seems to enjoy it. Weekends mean outing with her parents. The same thing with Gabe. He is weaning himself out from clinging to his parents and soon he will be independent, doing his own thing. I love to see him smile and laugh. His deep dimples make him look so adorable. 

Dialogue In the Dark

Thank you Stevens, the president of Glaucoma Society, for encouraging me to visit the Dialogue in the Dark at Petrosains in Suria KL on 7 May 2014 which ends at the end of May. It was a really humbling experience for me to go through a simulation exercise on how living in the dark is like. It was frightening at first but I gradually gained confidence to feel, to hear to taste, to smell and to get used to the darkness. That was what it would be like if I lose my sight due to advanced glaucoma. Though I harbour some fear in the deep of my heart, I feel it's not hopeless at all. Thank you Nawal for taking me through the process and thank you Michell for sharing with me on how glaucoma took away your sight 8 years ago and how you coped with it. I had tears in my eyes interacting with all of you  who give me so much courage and hope.
I learned that I am not so in tune with using my sense of feeling and hearing in solid darkness but it thrilled me to be able to identify certain things in the short dark journey. The white cane helped me to avoid hindrances and to take me to Nawal's voice. No matter how independent a visually handicapped person is, he/she still needs some degree of help from others and knowing how/what to help is important for sighted people to learn.
From newspaper report, I read that Stevens is working hard to bring into Malaysia guide dogs for visually impaired people. I applaud this effort and I will be interested to have one if the time comes but hope it would be within my means. These are working dogs with specific duties and they are trained and committed to the jobs they are supposed to do. I hope Malaysian government and Malaysians are open-minded and educated enough to accept their presence in different places. Please do not use religion as an excuse for small-minded attitude.
Personally, I would really encourage the public to visit Dialogue in the Dark, especially my children who don't seem to fully comprehend the situation I am in.
May Allah grants me my prayer for many more years of sighted life.