A New Member of Our Team

Dear Readers,

Renee and I are doing well, going on many adventures together. But we have a new member of our working team! I'd like to introduce you to Aira, my new tech that helps me be even more independent.

Aira is a pair of glasses that I wear. It has a camera above one eye. It is connected through an app on my iPhone. I can call an Aira agent on my phone, and they can see what I would see through the camera.

I had an initial session to get used to Aira in September. I decided to try it out at the grocery store. For the first time in my life, I could "read" the signs for each aisle. The agent read everything to me. She even helped me find my favorite brand of yogurt and some baked goods I needed for a party.

I didn't use the glasses much after that. I had trouble thinking of ways to use them. It's hard when I'm so independent already to let someone (or something) in to help me. But after talking with some other friends who are blind, I decided to brainstorm some ways Aira can make my life easier.

Last night, I used Aira for the first time, and it was awesome. Something as small as browning meat on the stove might seem simple to most people. But for me, it's a guessing game. I've been nervous for years about browning meat without being able to see the color change.

I put the meat in the pan for a few minutes. Then, I called an agent to ask for help. It's a good thing I called; there were still some pink spots that needed to cook longer. The agent stayed on the line until the meat was fully browned. My taco dinner was a huge success.

Sometimes we all need to be open to a little help. We don't all have to be independent all the time. Whether it's opening ourselves up to people, technology, or something else, it's important to realize the value of being helped.

I feel confident now. I can call for help any time I need it. I plan to use Aira to help me read signs at airports and train stations, find my Uber rides when I order them, and get me to new places as Renee and I continue our adventures.

Thanks Aira! Glad to have you on our team.

Best,
Sara