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Blind and Visually Impaired Community

Full History - 2018 - 11 - 18 - ID#9y8dhp
16
How do you cut your toenails? (self.Blind)
submitted by flyinglasagna
This might sound like a really stupid question or trolling even, but I'm seriously wondering.
I'm born with low vision (20/100) but I'm also double jointed so I used to just bend my leg really close to my eyes. Please don't laugh, I swear this is true! Now that I'm in my late 40s I can't really do that anymore and freak out when I have to clip my toenails.
BlackKingBarTender 7 points 4y ago
Frequently filing the nails can also work to prevent needing to clip them.
flyinglasagna [OP] 5 points 4y ago
Thanks! This is probably the only option for me. It just feels so weird when you can't see what you're doing.
[deleted] 2 points 4y ago
[deleted]
flyinglasagna [OP] 1 points 4y ago
More great ideas! :) I looked around a store website and I think I'm gonna get me one of those electric files with those attachments for buffing etc. The decent ones start at 25-30 € which is still affordable for me.
ilivetofly 5 points 4y ago
Maybe I could help with my own way?

Hmm. When I cut mine in the dark (yeah I can see so sorry if this isn't a great methold I don't mean to upset anyone) I just guide the clippers across my toe itself below the nail. Then round off the edges by stabbing my finger against it and clipping til it's smooth. You can tell by how uncomfortable the pressure of the clippers against the underside of your toes to tell how short it will go. It should feel a tad cold but not like your crushing your toe. To learn a ballpark you can squash your underside of each toe into the nail to figure out how long and how comfortable a trim will be.

I was born with Hypermobility syndrome which is very similar to what you have and now can't bend the way I used to either. Now I trim exclusively by feel because arranging a position where I can get a good cut tends to mean I have no eyeline of my toes (plus I often only realise they need to be trimmed when I am in bed and accidently stabbed myself so quickly lob off the offending parts in the dark and then lie down and go to sleep. I hope you find a methold that works for you, trying to streach when you can't safely do so anymore means your super likely to get hurt so please don't feel like you should force yourself.
flyinglasagna [OP] 5 points 4y ago
Thanks for sharing this! How do you keep all the clipped off bits out of your bed? :D Unfortunately I can't use clippers.
ilivetofly 4 points 4y ago
I grab them as they are clipped and unceremoniously toss them over the edge onto the floor for me to deal with tomorrow.
flyinglasagna [OP] 2 points 4y ago
You're hilarious! :D
RogueCandyKane 4 points 4y ago
Very very carefully
flyinglasagna [OP] 2 points 4y ago
*chuckle*
saharacanuck 3 points 4y ago
Not super helpful but by asking my SO to do it for me. I get a pedicure a few times a year. Helps clean everything up.
Also, it’s easier to do it when they are wet.
flyinglasagna [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Lucky you! :)
saharacanuck 3 points 4y ago
Now to get him to paint my nails....

Btw love your screen name. Mostly it reminds me of the time I accidentally used a tray as a catapult and all my food ended up on the wall...

Edit: I used to be able to do it myself and then I reached 30 and stopped stretching ... you got to 40s that’s pretty great.
flyinglasagna [OP] 2 points 4y ago
The username is based on a quote by author Robert Anton Wilson whose last words were "I implore you to keep the lasagna flying!" (see: youtu.be/sUZ9L3Tx5ZE) I love that you accidentally payed tribute to him. :D
impablomations 2 points 4y ago
I don't. I let my local NHS chiropodist do it for me.
flyinglasagna [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Oh I'm jealous!
RosyShine 2 points 4y ago
put the clippers on your toe, using your fingers to guide, and just clip. if its wrong, you'll feel it before you clip. you could also do the squeeze, squeeze, clip method, just to make sure.
flyinglasagna [OP] 2 points 4y ago
Thanks. Sorry, I forgot to mention that I can't use clippers because my toenails are very thick and hard.
itisisidneyfeldman 3 points 4y ago
There are heavy duty toenail shears that are much stronger than regular nail clippers, and are designed for thick and ingrown nails.

Here is an example:

https://www.amazon.com/Medical-Grade-Toenail-Clippers-Podiatrists-Nippers/dp/B017N5DMHM
flyinglasagna [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Interesting, I'll have a look for one of those! Thanks!
angelcake 2 points 4y ago
You may want to see if there is a good aesthetician in your area. I think a basic pedicure without polish or buffing or any of the fancy stuff is relatively cheap. You can get them trimmed professionally, maintain them with a file and then go back in every few months for maintenance.
flyinglasagna [OP] 1 points 4y ago
I'll check that out, thanks!!
RosyShine 2 points 4y ago
Never mind that then. lol.
43wrox 1 points 4y ago
I have the same problem. Recently started going for a pedicure every 3-4 weeks. I didn’t know about the massage chair and the foot massage after. I highly recommend this strategy. :)
DontDropThSoap 1 points 4y ago
This is so funny, I remember asking myself the same question. I've found that using the larger sized nail clippers makes this a lot easier. What I do is put a fingertip from my non-clipper hand on the edge of my nail to use as a guide for the clippers. Once you get a feel for it, you'll be clipping your nails as quick as ever in no time.
Amonwilde -3 points 4y ago
This seems like the easiest thing to do by feel...people are really obsessed with doing everything by sight.
impablomations 5 points 4y ago
> .people are really obsessed with doing everything by sight.

I spent 40 of the last 44 years doing everything by sight. Some have a harder time adjusting than others.
flyinglasagna [OP] 3 points 4y ago
That's not really helpful. Why did you even bother to comment?
Amonwilde -2 points 4y ago
To express my irritation? You feel where the toenail is. You put the clippers over where you want to clip. You clip and then feel again. Maybe I'm just jaded from the dozen people who have come in here asking how to clean up after using the bathroom. No wonder people think blind people can't do anything.
impablomations 3 points 4y ago
Not everyone is adept as you.

Some have lost sight late in life and find it harder to adapt, some have physical issues reaching their feet, if someone has sight loss due to diabetes then they might have reduced sensation in their fingers and toes, some have other problems that make it hard to clip their nails that loss of sight exacerbates the problem.

Why would you be irritated that some may face issues where you don't?
Amonwilde 3 points 4y ago
Look, this is fair. I'm just grouchy today. Sorry.
AllHarlowsEve 0 points 4y ago
I didn't know people used sight to check how to do it. Like, I watched to make sure I didn't go weirdly crooked, but the nail clippers do most of that work. Same with wiping.

Like, I went 18 years sighted and cut my nails in the dark, shaved in the dark when we had no power, wiped in the dark... it just blows my mind.
[deleted] 1 points 4y ago
[removed]
fastfinge 1 points 4y ago
We don't know you because you didn't specify in your question. Assuming blindness is your only problem, clipping your toenails is super easy. If you ask a question with an obvious answer, and don't specify why that answer won't work for you, you can't get upset when people assume you're trolling or have failed to think the matter through. It is especially unacceptable to attack and insult others for your questions failings. Consider this a warning; if it happens again you will be banned. Your previous comment has been removed.
flyinglasagna [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Blindness isn't my problem at all? I've written that I have low vision. I even mentioned the VA. My flair says Nystagmus. I also literally said that I freak out when I have to clip my toenails and also how old I am. I got many friendly and helpful replies. What did I even say that was insulting? I'm honestly baffled.
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