Question

Does anyone here have anyone close to them who is blind? My mom is completely blind, and not very independent other than getting around her house by herself. She’d never leave the house with a dog or anything. Anyway! This covid stay at home order has been hard because she hasn’t gotten to “see” my daughter. We try calling but my daughter can’t see her, and has no interest in talking on the phone (she’s only 2 lol) Is there a device that doesn’t use wifi (she doesn’t have internet) that we could like Face Time or something so my daughter can see her grandma & talk to her? Something easy to work since she lives alone!?  

Answer 1

We purchased my 91 y/o Gramma a device . It's called "GrandPad". It cost $50/ for the internet use. (She also doesn't have wifi at the house) Pretty much like an iPad, very limited apps and super easy to use, she absolutely LOVES it. We can call her or video chat with her. (Also email, text, and send photos) Our relatives that live out of state can now live video with her instead of just talk to her over the phone, she loves that she now can see her son, grand kids and great grand kids! Any one listed in her contacts can keep in touch with her.  

Comments

@shiver that’s awesome! I’ll have to look into this. Thanks so much!  

Answer 2

On a nice day social distance in the yard. Keep mom in a mask and baby if she will wear it. You can use FaceTime with just data plan you have to click on the option to use with data.  

Answer 3

Do y’all live close? We’ve been visiting (our) Nana by us sitting on her porch and her just inside the storm door. We talk through the glass. I bring a small bag of things with us for my daughter to tell Nana about (picture she drew, projects we made, etc) and Nana has even read a book and told stories of her childhood.  

Comments

@cluj778 that’s a good idea! She’s about 30 minutes away. Thank you!  

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@cluj778 We did similarly! We couldn’t really hear each other through their glass doors though, so we talked on the phone instead of trying to shout through the glass. But these were glass French doors. Not a glass screen-type door.  

Answer 4

We have also drawn lines on the patio and grass (with spray paint) as a "do not cross" line for our kids so they keep socially distanced from neighbors, family, etc.  

Answer 5

We have done porch visits with he grandparents. It also gives us a chance to bring them some goodies. For example, Michaels has curbside pickup or you can get one from amazon, cheap kits that let you cast a handprint. We made one so they could hold hands