California center teaches newly blind how to adapt

From KERO-TV:

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Nearly 1,500 people in Kern County are blind or visually impaired.

For the past year, Pete Kimble has been blind from macular degeneration.

"There are times I feel lost," said Kimble.

"Imagine waking up tomorrow and not being able to see," said Jeff Lemmucchi of the Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

It's a shock the CBVI in east Bakersfield is hoping to ease for newly blind people.

"Most of our clients become blind or visually impaired later in life, so they have to relearn things they once did as a sighted person," said Lemmucchi.

Clients there learn everything from reading braille to computer skills and day-to-day survival, all from instructors who are blind as well.

"I don't think a sighted person would understand what everybody's going through. There's more to it for a blind person because you have to be more descriptive in your explanations on how to do something," said instructor Michelle Smith.

This fake apartment is equipped with talking appliances and labeled in braille throughout. It's also where ABC 23 found Smith teaching Kimble how to cook as a blind person.

"Every day is a learning day for me," said Kimble.

When Kimble isn't learning how to cook, he's learning how to vacuum and wash clothes and dishes.

"One of the things you lose -- or think you lose -- when you go blind is your independence," said Kimble.

But he says that hasn't been his case thanks to the center.

"It's given me an opportunity to function without being able to see. I could go to the restroom and shower and clean the shower up after I'm done," said Kimble.

Skills many of us take for granted but the center is proud to give back to its clients.

"It feels good to give back; that's what it's all about," said Lemmucchi.