I'm reading a book this weekend. In fact I'm planning to read the entire book - from cover to cover. Not that this is any great feat. It's not a scholarly text or an intellectual tome but rather a simple, fun mystery novel. I think of myself as an avid reader. I used to read at least three books a week but over the past year I have only read a total of three books. About a year and a half ago I had a retinal hemorrhage. I'm told I was lucky not to suffer a torn or even detached retina. But the sad fact is that the hemorrhage left me with a sizable "floater" in my right eye. I can see to function normally but I have a difficult time with tasks that require sustained reading. It's really hard work and I get tired easily. It's even a little bit "painful" in an emotional sort of way.

Since I haven't been able to read as much as I like, I've spent more time on my computer. I can't imagine not having my laptop within reach. I now use it to perform many routine tasks. Reading the computer screen is easier for me now than reading hard copy. I even read the newspaper online. Sometimes the print is too small and I have to enlarge the text to see properly. This is especially true of e-mail which I usually read and write in 16 point text. I have a Macintosh computer and I recently learned how to "turn on zoom" to make the text on my screen big enough for even me to see. The Director of Information Services for my school district passed along these instructions for OSX users:

Under the "Apple" menu choose "System Preferences", then choose "Universal Access", click on "TURN ON ZOOM".... Now use the "Command (Apple),and the Option keys held down together, with the - key to Zoom in and the = key to Zoom out....

There is also a website for OS9 users: http://www.apple.com/lae/education/disability/easyaccess.html.

Suffering from this minor disability makes it easier for me to empathize with the handicapped children I teach. I work with a little girl who has mild CP. Nothing comes easy for her and the effort she exerts to complete the simplest task is an inspiration. Writing her name legibly on her workpapers, counting to 100, completing a page in her math book, or running an errand for the teacher are done with determination and pleasure. Whenever she completes a task that requires extra effort she snaps her fingers and says "I did it!"

I can only hope to perform the tasks in my daily life with such motivation and courage. So I plan to read a book this weekend. If I succeed I'll know a little more about how my young friend feels when she accomplishes a challenging task. Then I'll be able to say "I did it!" too.