 | Charlie Lessons from Experience |
| Charlie Lessons from Experience |
First, I would like to introduce you to my travel companions. They make my travels easier and enjoyable. I carry them in a small tote bag for local trips, and for major trips they are in my backpack or coat pocket. Two of my companions help me see more. One is a hand-held lighted magnifer. It is very compact, but with a good size lens. It uses two AA batteries and came with a nice soft case. You should try out the different ones to find the correct power for you. I purchased mine by mail.
The other is a monocular. It lets me see things at a distance. I own two, but carry only the smaller one on most trips. It helps me read signs and see traffic signals. The use of it takes a little practice, and finding what you want to see takes a little effort, but the more I use it, the better it gets. The monocular costs about as much as the magnifier: $40.00.
Traveling always involves a lot of waiting. This time can be wasted or put to value and entertainment. My third companion is a small pocket size tape player and radio. It plays the Talking Book tapes and regular tapes. The radio receives both AM and FM. The tape player will also record on tape. This is handy if you want to take notes. Earphones are the best way to listen to it. Mine uses two AA batteries. I am amazed how long the batteries last, but I always carry an extra pair. I am on how many books I go through while traveling on Regional Transit (RT). Some books may require more concentration than the travel environment permits. That is when I listen to the radio.
For longer trips, my companion is a deck of large print playing cards. On Amtrak, I can generally find a table to play on. In hotel rooms, there is always a table. At home, it is a good way to pass the time while waiting for transportation. Cards are available from dealers in low vision products. I purchased mine by mail, as it is easier tor me.
