I’m in a different office today…… Don’t ask.

I’m also working late. In fact, I’m in work typing this at the moment and I’ll be here until 10 tonight.

So, I’m not sure where the hell I’m going in this place, I’m not even sure how I’m even going to find the lift to get out. I know I’m on the fourth floor and I know the window in this office looks out to the road. I can hear the traffic.

So, when it came to heating up my lunch this evening when everyone was already gone home, using the microwave was a bit of a challange. I had asked before the last person left where the Microwave was and had been told that it was the door on the left with the glass pannel on it. That was grand. It just took some feeling around to find that one.

I forgot to ask how the microwave worked though!

It has a nob for selecting the time… that was good. using a digital microwave without knowing what button is for time can be difficult. Also, they usually have different buttons for seconds, minutes and every tens of minutes.

It also wasn’t a touch screen thing or just a panel of things that were not risen from the surface. so at least I could actually feel all the buttons.

The problem was that there were too many buttons and the ones that I thought were start and stop didn’t actually do anything.

I tried everything I could. I noticed that when I pressed one of the eight buttons on the middle of the controls , the start button worked.

Problem was, it didn’t stay on for long enough and it made absolutely no difference to the tempriture of the food.

Determined to succeed, I tried more buttons. but, it looked like only the first of the eight buttons actually did anything.

So, in desparation, I called Emma to see if she had any suggestions. I thought that maybe if I described the controls she may be able to shed some light on what was the most likely button to press. Unfortunately, she was unable to figure it out without seeing it either.

She however came up with a fantastic idea.

I used the camera on my phone to take a picture of the microwave.

She got that picture and was able to read that the eight buttons on the middle of the control were for selecting the power of the microwave.

The right button needed a few presses before I heard the beep to confirm that it was actually working but when I pressed the start button it jumped into action.

Three minutes later, I was delighted to find my food was finally warm!

I’ve never had such an experience just trying to use a microwave ever before!

Thanks to Emma for her very good idea.

Who said cameras on phones were pointless for blind people. ha!