While I appreciate the fact that those who do not use spoon and other cutleries whether by choice or on account of difficulties are not necessarily bad eaters, and to that extent the explanations of everyone are good enough to give the justification for not doing so. It is a matter of choice whether you enjoy eating by hand or you want to learn using these things. Although I myself love eating with my hands, but I have always tried and obtained a certain level of comfort in using spoon etc if the situation demands so. Because I don't practice it regularly, the speed becomes an issue to a limited extent.
Based on my discussion with those who are born blind and are living in Westurn countries, they are not taught to eat with their hands, and have been using these spoons and cutleries right from their childhood and have been managing quite well so far. My suggestions are as follows: 1. It requires focus and practice. The major area where we need to focus is the dimension of the plate, and if it is a gravy, then we need to make sure that the spoon is straight. Tip: when you are at home, try taking water in an empty spoon from the plate and drink it. This way, one can take even the gravy which is not so thick. 2. I often have difficulties in cutting the items because I have never given it the focus which it demands. A knife in other hand or a fork may be helpful. 3. When you are about to finish your dish, and it is the end part which causes discomfort, then either gently use your thumb / first finger to see that the remaining quantity of the dish is in your spoon. If it is too much of hassle, then I opt to leave the end portion. 4. Not a happy solution, but if you are stuck, then identify the items which you can easily eat with fork / spoon. Rice with daal, is a good option. Noodles can be easily eaten using fork, if you rap and eat. 5. For things like Pizza, it is better and easier to use hand than to use fork and knife. 6. Another idea is to take vegitables / dal in bowl instead of plate, it makes things more simpler. 7. When I have to eat kake, I try and get it in the disposable cup (used for ice creams), so that the quantity is less to eat. This much is enough for now, hope it is of some help. Thanks, -- Amar Jain. Website: www.amarjain.com Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of mobile phones / Tabs on: http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ To unsubscribe send a message to [email protected] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list..
