Max’s Story

Max’s story is one of perseverance, determination, and the power of learning. Max is both a staff member, as well as a client at Vision Forward. Say hello to him at our front desk!

Max has been blind for many years and has depended on others for assistance with activities of daily living – including cleaning, cooking, clothing care, medication identification and more. Despite this, Max decided to take charge of his life and improve his independence to reduce his reliance on his spouse. With this goal in mind, Max embarked on a journey to master the art of cooking independently through ADL (Activities of Daily Living) training at Vision Forward with Rose, an Occupational Therapist at Vision Forward.

Rose guided him through a series of hands-on lessons. One of the most important aspects of his training involved safely using kitchen appliances, which can be challenging for someone who is blind. With Rose’s help, Max learned how to use the stove, oven, and even small appliances like the air fryer with confidence. Rose taught him how to rely on his other senses—hearing, taste, touch, and smell—to safely navigate his kitchen.

A standout moment in his journey came when he successfully cooked a steak in his new air fryer! His hard work and dedication paid off, but Max’s learning didn’t stop there. Recently, he approached Vision Forward with a desire for a “refresher” training to try something new—cooking shrimp in his air fryer. He wanted to push his limits and prepare a more challenging dish.

In the next training session, Max demonstrated incredible growth and adaptability. He learned how to identify ingredients using tactile cues, measure ingredients by touch, and properly bread and prepare shrimp. With some helpful techniques, like arranging bowls in a logical order and using tactile and auditory cues to interact with the air fryer, Max was able to cook the shrimp perfectly.

He also showed an ability to problem-solve along the way. For example, he realized that placing shrimp in the air fryer before preheating it would be safer and more efficient, as it avoided the risk of touching the hot basket. He also used voice commands to set a timer, ensuring the shrimp were cooked just right. Max even learned how to safely thaw frozen shrimp and consider different approaches to make the process easier, like using parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Although cracking eggs proved to be a little tricky, Max’s resilience shone through. He remained determined, and the idea of using an adaptive egg cracker was suggested as a future solution. Throughout the training, Max’s positive attitude and willingness to try new things made him a true success story. He not only learned how to cook shrimp but also demonstrated an ability to transfer these skills to his home life.

What stands out most about Max is his easy-going personality and his unwavering willingness to step out of his comfort zone. He used his senses to enhance his cooking skills and tackle new challenges safely. Max’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, the value of learning new skills, and the incredible potential within each of us to become more independent and self-sufficient.

Max’s journey reminds us that with the right tools, support, and mindset, we can all reach new heights and achieve our goals—no matter the obstacles we face.